At the last reunion I asked about Alphie. Larry said that he was poisoned by a jealous wife, with such an exotic substance, that none of the many specialists could ease his pain, nor figure out the source, before the autopsy.
I mourned him like one mourns a brother, without words or visible emotion, remembering when we were boys together in high school. Who could forget his love of life and his laughter, or the tell in his voice when he got a good hand in Crazy Eights?
One summer day we met in Wakefield, fished the pond for perch and goldfishes, then we walked the two miles, along with Duffus and Bush Tiger, to Deeside, where his mother feasted us with stewed beef, rice and gungu peas, in the cool of his veranda.
The last time I saw him was at UWI Carnival, older yes, but still laughing and animated, standing a head taller than the others, leading his band around Ring Road, waving, and shouting my name above the din of Calypso.
Last night, just before dawn on Simchat Torah, he walked beside me in line for food I cannot remember. As we sat at the table eating, swapping food like at Coke House, I was overjoyed that he did not enter my thoughts when we sang El Molei Rachamim at the Yizkor service.
El Molei Rachamim
Compassionate One, Eternal Spirit of the universe, grant perfect rest under the wings of Your Presence to our loved ones who have entered eternity. Master of Mercy, let them find refuge forever in the shadow of Your Wings, and let their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life. The Eternal One is their inheritance. May they rest in peace, and let us say: Amen.
Richard (Bhuddus) Cooke
DREAMSCAPEAt the last reunion I asked about Alphie.
Larry said that he was poisoned by a jealous wife,
with such an exotic substance,
that none of the many specialists could ease his pain,
nor figure out the source,
before the autopsy.
I mourned him like one mourns a brother,
without words or visible emotion,
remembering
when we were boys together in high school.
Who could forget his love of life and his laughter,
or the tell in his voice when he got a good hand in Crazy Eights?
One summer day we met in Wakefield,
fished the pond for perch and goldfishes,
then we walked the two miles, along with Duffus and Bush Tiger,
to Deeside,
where his mother feasted us with stewed beef,
rice and gungu peas, in the cool of his veranda.
The last time I saw him was at UWI Carnival,
older yes,
but still laughing and animated, standing
a head taller than the others,
leading his band around Ring Road, waving,
and shouting my name above the din of Calypso.
Last night, just before dawn on Simchat Torah,
he walked beside me in line for food I cannot remember.
As we sat at the table eating, swapping food
like at Coke House,
I was overjoyed that he did not enter my thoughts
when we sang El Molei Rachamim at the Yizkor service.
El Molei Rachamim
Compassionate One, Eternal Spirit of the universe,
grant perfect rest under the wings of Your Presence
to our loved ones who have entered eternity.
Master of Mercy, let them find refuge forever
in the shadow of Your Wings,
and let their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life.
The Eternal One is their inheritance.
May they rest in peace, and let us say: Amen.