a high school friend
he used to write my papers
what the trade-off was I can’t recall
I was a State Champion Swimmer
Jasper was a nice guy
who became a good friend over time
what I didn’t know about was his seething want
he had to compete, somehow
in some way
our dads being on the rich side,
which one was richer
whose house was bigger
or which of the cars was swankier
whose clothes sweeter
covetousness
all that was bubbling underneath inside of
him
he disliked himself
as later I found out
he drank (i preferred pot) and
he has been kicked out of the bar association twice
stole his clients’ money
one client was my cousin
now he’s missing in action
and I’ve got COPD
back to high school
so he has this big idea
chess
I didn’t even know what it was
much less how to play
he offers to teach me
sets it all up
all brand new wood
gives me the best leather chair
at his dad’s place
in the bar area
I learned
seemed easy enough
and by pure luck
I creamed his ass in seven moves
Queen on King.
Check.
man, he was bummed
I tried to console him
and begged him to set it all back up
all he said was,
“You knew how to play, and never told me. Asshole.”
for two weeks he wouldn’t speak
that was what you call
an inferiority complex
it’s a high school thing
some guys still dabble in it
I ain’t perfect
but I could give a shit what you got
or how you use it
it’s your soul that matters
as far as talent
play that Saxophone
it sounds good
hope ya get a night’s rest
come back another day
a little more grown up
chess
it’s just a game
don’t matter shit
where ya goin’ for eternity
that’s the question
or have even thought of it
big man
gishi bian
12:12 pm mst usa
4 septiembre 2018
“Which way?
“I’m Elmira Gulch! and you better
hand over Toto, or else!”
as opposed to:
“For some reason, God loves you.
Loves us!
Feel it…
The slow chill of the warm wind climbing down your back.
Believe the wonder.
Forget the race,
Join the rest.
And enter God’s rest!”
Or “you’ll forever be a Jasper Hines.”
And don’t forget,
“Any of us could be a Jasper Hines,
at any time.”
Is Jesus calling?
Kisses…
fin
Yellow Rose (of Texas) Publications
all this, it is was a total fabrication,
except the “God loves” part.
Don Mclean’s The Pride Parade. “This masquerade can’t carry on too long.”
The Gospel of John chapter 3 verse 16
Nobody ever remembers the first part.
