For Vincent Jackson

Vin, every game I played with you I lost And yet, without knowing why, I challenged you always at my peril's cost I was drawn to you, like a moth to die. You taught me to swim by pushing me under When flipping skate board bruised you You said it was the plan, and not a blunder Mother flogged me, yet I clung to you Something about you looked invincible then Even when you taught me how to lie I was self-seduced to your web and den There was a glitter in sun, a charm to die. You were the bushmaster, the leader, so We dreamt as you nurtured our head I was at the battle front, you did not show I saw Big Ben and Lascelles bled. Strange, how you never hang in the gang Nor laud the Tiber Tribe's hot exploit Strange, how well concealed you kept your fang And held my hands to fly my kite. Stranger yet, you the broken, crumbling man The hero at mercy now, and ever yet In solidarity with you my heart still stand I hold my sympathy under my breath. Canterbury did not break us, life alone could Walk upon our dreams as if only dust Exalt the wicked, and left debased the good But friendship stays the nugget of our trust.