For Dan

Did you lean too far over, to see your reflection?
A Narcissus who shared your affection
With others; so many, too many to mention
Everyone wryly recalls a connection

Your lies were good but your truths were better
You’d charm the birds out the trees
Or a bird out of her sweater

In this truth I’d prefer to discover a lie
A prank gone too far,
A bad joke gone awry.
I wouldn’t be shocked if you turned up out the blue
Sheepishly laughing at how we’d mourned you.

I knew you once, when you stood by me
And I saw then what a good man you’d be
I wish I could see you again, if just for a minute
Because I liked the world better when I knew you were in it