you were staunch in your denials

you lied as easy as any spiteful child

pocketing the toy store loot--

and you've grown up thinking

this is the way the world always is--

which is true for the unenlightened

and a profound sadness for the rest--

may you be remembered for more than a month

after you've become a fading bit of anecdote

in your circle's gossip

Content (c) 2008-2011 Philip Milito.