John-Ward Leighton

A POEM FOR JOE

we never met
Joe and I
except in spirit
and then he had to say goodbye

he has a body of work
to mark his passing
something to console
those of us left behind

he has left this mortal coil
but his words still echo
in the hearts and minds
of his friends, family, and readers

the laughter and the tears
are all heartfelt
his presence is gone
but his work lives on

all I can say is
goodbye joe
we hardly knew
you

Author’s Note: Inspired by the poem, “Small Talk” by Gary Corseri, written in memorial for Joe Bageant, 1946-2011 – originally published in Poet’s Basement, September 2008