Here, an overdose of pigeons –
brown and grey as a dime bag of scag –
they needle at french fries and trash
in a proximal race with rats
for bloat and blessed anesthesia.
As do I, as do I.
I sit on a bench by the river,
mainline the romance of rusty barges,
the charmed smell of diesel and transmission fluid
In the wasteland of a ferry repair depot.
It is thusly Charon and I converse.
He, a charming industrial ghost –
part ferryman, part dilapidated
freight warehouse in tux and spats –
we veer into conversations on jazz and sports,
What 'Trane and Billy Holiday
had to say as they crossed over,
their eyes and livers hardcore,
burned out Detroits of the soul –
the Babe too and Jesus
A chatterbox who wouldn't shut up
and didn't leave a tip.
I have no axe to grind with death,
but also no yellow bricks to lay end to end
then say goodbye – a road
paved for the caisson,
Its distant drummer's march.
A cop drives by, shines his light.
At this late stage, it doesn't take a brainiac
to come in from the park.
I'm a junkie for the dark.
For Shay’s Word Garden
Like this:
Like Loading...
qbit 
What a trip! I really love your description of Charon, that’s inspired, and all the celebrity riders. But what I liked the very best was Jesus not leaving a tip! I laughed so hard. I read a book called “Nickeled and Dimed” where the author posed as a number of different minimum wage workers, and one job was as a waitress. She said that the worst tippers were conspicuous Christians. I believe it.
This is one of your best, qbit, and well worth waiting for.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha! Thanks! The words of the list seemed to open to this poem
Much thanks for that. But “brainiac” was a beast!
LikeLike
You had me at an overdose of pigeons. I mean, what a line!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahahaha!! So glad you liked that. I’m a bit fond of that line too. 😂
LikeLike
This is utterly excellent, qbit.
❤
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!!
LikeLike
I felt as though I was sitting on that bench with you … second stanza is pure brainiac beauty. Feast on a huge bravo from Bend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!!
LikeLike
This poem feels like a wonderful and cool experience that you shared so eloquently that we joined in. I especially love the second to last stanza! Brilliant writing and word craft as always Qbit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!!
LikeLike
This is outstanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. Appreciated!
LikeLike
Enjoyed this so much. Charon fits too easily in this landscape and of course, he would be a chatterbox!
pax,
Dora
LikeLiked by 1 person