Thank the gods
you came along
and endured
the beatings, boils
and *****
to leave such morsels behind.
They have fed me
laughter and understanding
on many dark nights
and impossible days.
I hope one day,
to do at least that much,
for some poor *******.

Visiting LA,
I walked past
the no trespassing signs
into your flat little
East Hollywood apartment court,
all the craziness that happened there
now silent, until a tenant barked,
“Hey!  Who you lookin for?”
Who indeed.

I’d like to say
I wish I’d met you,
but it just wouldn’t be true.
I’ll bet you were a real
pain in the ***.