Talking with the Dead Again

My brother Joe was anything but slow

He was the fastest kid on the block

Down at the vacant lot he could jump his bike over 4 of his friends

With his hands behind his back

We had fun growing up

I followed him everywhere

He could make me belly laugh

When we moved out to the farm

He taught me so many things

Including how to rope a calf

After 4 years in the army my bro came home

Got a job with the county police

Married his high school sweetheart and had 3 great kids

He bought a Harley - loved the grease

‘So Joe,’ I said, ‘when can we get together

And have a barb-b-que

I’ve been missing your jokes and I know our folks would love to see you there’

Joe just laughed with his joyous rumble

And looked at me with his big grin

Then I realized when he started to cry

That I’m talking with the dead again

My dad told me ‘Son, never point a gun unless you mean to shoot.’

He had sage advice and the kindest wife

And his favorite beer was root

My pops brought me to church and raised me right

But as a teen I didn’t care

What he had to say

I went my own way

And our meeting times were rare

I struggled for years and after two failed marriages

I went over to see mom and dad

I said ‘Sorry dad, I should have listened to what you said’

He said, ‘Don’t worry about it now,

your mom and I never stopped praying.’

They gave me a huge hug and we prayed to God

And that meant the world to me

In his late seventies my dad started to get frail

Those calloused hands couldn’t lift as much

The adventurous life he loved

Those dreams grew out of touch

Dad said, ‘Son, I want to know, did I do right by God?’

I said ‘Pops, you know, you did right by me, you showed me how to love God’s way’

And I realize as we hug goodbye

That I’m talking with the dead again

You and I met on the the telephone

And agreed to go on a blind date

I drove over that night to pick you up

And wondered ‘What have I done?’

But when you stepped out beneath that old street light

My world forever changed

We spent many years in a dreamlike love

You were never far away

We were close like toast on the smoked ham roast

You always made for me

And I rub your head when we go to bed

Until you rest peacefully on my chest

I said ‘When will you be here ‘cause I’ve missed you dear

And my life just ain’t the same

I am all alone in this cavernous home

Like a hawk I drift alone’

You said ‘I love you Honey,

and love is never gone.’

And I realize as we talk on this phone

That I’m talking with the dead again

Chorus:

Talking with the dead again

Oh I am talking with the dead again

Good relationships don’t quit

Just ‘cause they are at the end

So I keep talking with the dead again.

by Royce Waxenfelter

6/18/20