right hand pointing

 

     
  A Logical Obituary

R. T. Castleberry
 

 

 

So you've died-
ravaged at 47 and dead like a fool.
We've anticipated this notice for a decade.
I smoked a cigarette for you, paced and paused
as it dwindled with each breath.
It's summer humid, early morning,
and the morgue examiners have your body.

A smiling, easy thief
every hand you gripped, that gripped you
was a con meant to pass you forward.
I don't recall a party you weren't laughing
or passing the dinner check as you left.
We shared three secrets for survival,
the truth between grifter and mark-
and nothing more.

 

 

 

  

A writer, wit and social critic, R.T. Castleberry has published work both nationally and internationally, most notably in Another Chicago Magazine, Poet Lore, Borderlands, Concho River Review, Illya's Honey, Common Ground Review, Snake Nation Press and Pacific Review. He is co-editor of Curbside Review poetry journal  and associate poetry editor of the online literary journal, Ardent .