night talk

on a lilac  scented summer night as
a pink sickle moon sailed overhead we traded
sunlight for Johnnie Walker and star drift
as we drank  you said you were going to
bury your pain, I would be witness

you talked of your brother, how you
loved him, hated him and would hold
grudges for life that only love would 
destroy- brothers for life but deeper
you sighed like you were tired and you 
were too young to carry the world
couldn't carry one more thing
you were your own brand of rebellion

your freedom was built in your driveway
a metal dream, a sky blue '66 Chevrolet Camaro
a radio for company as you sang Summer
Breeze like you were already on the road
far away from this small town and all its 
causes that would only try in vain to rob
you of your youth, your vitality, slow your
pace , drain your soul of any would be dreams

you took the guard rails down that held your
heart together and your mouth shut
you said you thrived on darkness for too long
but only because it was safer and the wind seemed 
softer on your skin at night
you took down your pretense that night
and let me see the real and the raw

ashes rose into the sky as you emptied out
your suitcase full of letters and let their
ransomed, poisoned words burn and fly like night 
kites
we danced around the fire without music or reason

you said you didn't know if you believed in a
heaven, asked if I believed
looking at the most profound, beautiful man I
had ever known
I whispered that yes I did