prine time

5
1590

prine time

the first time I saw John Prine
we were both much younger
he sang fish and whistle—you
forgive us and we’ll forgive
you—and then the one about
the angel that I learned too

the last time I saw him was
the night before his cancer
had returned and he sang
for almost three hours, as
though his life—and ours—
were riding on the melodies

I thought I had seen him for
the last time—I think he did
too—my friend Terry and I
drove home talking about
dreams rolling by, the speed
of the sound of loneliness

today I found just one thing
that I can hold on to: he is
playing not so far away
come September—one more
chance to sing along again as
though time can never fade

or perhaps it’s because I know
it’s like he says, memories
that can’t be boughten—I’ll
go to the show and then
we’ll say goodbye and go back
home when the day is done

Peace,
Milton

5 COMMENTS

  1. That’s the way the world goes round, you’re up one day, the next you’re down. It’s a happy enchilada and you think you’re gonna drown – that’s the way the world goes round.

  2. Our mutual friend Tim Willis introduced me to his stage manager a couple of years ago. Saw him perform at SMU and went backstage for pictures and conversation. One of the lifetime memories I treasure.