A.K.A. Mario Poem by RIC BASTASA

before he finally left
he came to the house finding me alone and busy with words

the usual work on words
that makes me
bread,

he did not say much
as usual he is the silent mario of the class

many thought
he is at peace, i told me he is not actually and so i tell his wife

mario is confused, like some entangled seaweeds
where no fish can penetrate and stay or bring something

mario died two days ago
thinking that i am the happiest man alive

i think so, i must think so, otherwise
mario shall know, otherwise, he would have live a little longer

mario feels this sense of abandonment
like a port without boats and seagulls like a fish without a fish

he died
and that is enough to tell us what he believes in

he felt something so disturbing
he did not mind

before he finally left
he thought that i am the happiest man alive

and now, i must promise myself that.