Eclipse of a star - Bob Lenox

A rainy day in Saulieu town,

the tolling bell drowned out the sound

of passing cars and frenzied tourists
...
vying for a shot of the basilica

over the top of your dripping coffin.

A mottley crowd of musicians, antique dealers

and other marginal types

scuffed their shoes disconsolately on the pavement

awaiting the entrance of the round bellied

velvet clad priest and his incense burner.

 

We listened to your music, the priest being

unintelligible apart from the occasional 'BOB'

 

We dutifully stood, knelt and sang out of tune.

I saw you standing under the crucifix - smiling

We did the standard coffin tour and patted

whatever was under the wood

muttered a few embarrassed words and waved a

magic water wand as if it meant something,

and then we dispersed, some to the cemetry,

some like us to return home

and shoot a little pool 

...and reflect on yet another friend gone ahead.

Bye Bob Lenox, it was cool knowing you.