Life finally

kicked him

dead to

the floor.



and this time

he isn't

getting up.



no marine training

or marriage counseling

or running away

from his problems

is going to save

him now.



jack's not coming

back.



there will be no notes,

or apologizes,

or second serves.



his mind was made

up long ago.



he told us so.

and now he

has made

sure we would all

finally, believe

him.



in his

sixtieth or

so year now

Oregon

will be his final

resting  place

far from all

that knew him.



he was funny

that way.



get to close

to touch him

and his

temper

would only burn

your hand.



and those that

knew him.

will sigh.

and regret

his regrets.

and empty

their pockets

and lie on the

table

all of the memories

good and bad

about him.



but the gun

he allowed

to make

the final

verdict upon

his life.

will now lay

harsh and
cold and  silent.



and the

wish that

he always

carried

with him

just beneath

the surface

will finally be

true.



jack's not

coming back.



and my

world  for one

will miss

him.