Aloha - For Rico Leffanta

I’m not on social media
And yet I have a group
Of buddies I have never met;
I know them from the Soup.

We comment on each other’s poems
And through each varied post,
We learn, in dribs and drabs, about
What matters to us most.

My fellow poets span the globe
And one above the rest
Took time each day to let me know
He’d read what I’d expressed.

His repertoire of limericks,
Which no one could resist,
Were funny, often bawdy,
But a day was never missed.

So when I didn’t see a post
From my Hawaiian friend,
I had a sinking feeling
It might signify the end.

Dear Rico, may you rest in peace.
I’ll miss our warm rapport
And your signature Aloha!
Will not greet me anymore.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Lawrence Avatar
January 31, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Ilene, I just wrote a new blog about Rico . I was able to spend time with his daughter and her husband recently while in CA working. I have included your poem/tribute in my email to her. Thank you for your poem and all of the kind words. I miss him dearly. Susan :)
Krutsinger Avatar
December 30, 2022 at 10:55 PM
He was hilarious! I will miss him also.
Borke Avatar
December 19, 2022 at 9:27 AM
Probably the last thing he ever wrote was “big wheels get the steak” in his comment to your poem on 11/24
Anaya Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 4:04 PM
I just found out Ilene through reading a comment, it hasn't hit me yet, I know it will. Aloha to you Ilene, I know how much Rico meant to you. It is official! ~Anaya
Slaughter Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 1:55 PM
Beautiful, Ilene. I guess "Aloha" really is the perfect salutation for Rico.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 1:53 PM
<3
Andresen Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 1:42 PM
- So kind of you to write this lovely tribute to Rico, Ilene - hugs :)
Volumes Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 5:33 AM
l cant believe our Rico is not coming back, l'll miss his frequent comments, and of course his Limericks too, it saddens me to see, his last Limerick was all about me. Fine Poem llene. l truly will miss him.
George Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 1:47 AM
A touching tribute Ilene. We haven't commented on each others' poems, but under every poem of Rico, I have seen your response and am thus familiar with you. Yes, his signature 'Aloha' won't be seen anymore. He will be greatly missed...
Cunningham Avatar
December 15, 2022 at 2:15 PM
A beautiful tribute to Rico. Ilene, I loved his humour, he even joined in the Marmite Vegimite war lol. You should put this on the blog. Tom
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