Ride Home (For Tom Flood)

Over rivers lined with trees and snow,
through towns and tunnels of cities,
I look out the window of the train
and think of our conversation:
last words, last hugs.

After wine, I thought he looked better:
his gestures
and display of tough humor;
how he chided his wife
about diet:
"You think this is going to kill me?”

No grief, but a celebration,
remembering people and fights,
the things we did
in our way out of love for people.

His heart, it was said, was worn out,
his kidneys failing,
still his mind was alert with advice
and a solid pride
at what we accomplished together…
and in his wife,
who in her own right is also a warrior.

He's the most moral man I ever knew
and, perhaps, the smartest.
My mentor, my indelible friend,
and my living hero.