Small Talk

Gary Corseri was a good friend of Joe's. This poem was originally published in Poets' Basement, September 2008. By Gary Corseri In memoriam, for Joe Bageant, 1946-2011 This one—tack-witted, sharp of tongue— thinks he'll die soon, and so, smokes on (although he loves his wife). He has made peace at 62 (my age) with demons, destiny, and even the C.O.P.D. that will kick him in. We ramble on on his southern porch, his whisky tone...