Our Man...in Europe, Dave Delacroix: "The Gerontius."

 Our Man in Europe/Dave Delacroix: "The Gerontius."

(dedicato: Sir John Stanier Waller, 7th Baronet, 1917-d.1995.)

"The Gerontius."

AS THE OLD BOY, aged 103, about to expire, my uncle, by his bedside he said to ME:

..."Shuffle OFF!": (he was learned) "Shuffled OFF this mortal coil, burn my carcass, put my ashes in the soil." (I assented. Poured myself a glass of his vintage Port)) "...And let my cremation BE for all my sins, let them BURN!"... (At this point he got to mumbling, then vocally resurfaced:) "... AS I burn let all my transgression, the broken hearts I left behind & anyone I swindled, stole from, blackmailed, MURDERED, those fricks I've never forgiven who STILL owe me $20!!! my bank account number is: ".....12345", and it's never too late to pay a debt in case Cavalry has a waiting list & I come "fait accomplish", U see me ghost-like tapping my foot at your door?" (I poured myself another glass of Port) "...Yet, burning, burn my memories. Burn my travels. Burn my tales. Burn my withered dreams.  Organize an AUCTION for my Soul. I was rather fond of that Viola le Gamba. Best U burn it with me. I 'll strum it with the stars." (Imbibing was the key to this situ. so, I popped another cork without looking at the label; the old boy mumbled a tad then resumed:) "...Who if I cried out would hear me amongst the Order of the Angels!?" (I mumbled/slurred "RILKE"/the old boy smiled) "... 

The Gerontius there-in expired. I pillaged his extensive wine cellar. FLED! And never - a thought! - live with THIS forgetting neither-or OUR blankness-awaiting.

c.2025. Dave Delacroix.