Glenn Hervey 1880-1918

Glenn Hervey 1880-1918 On the last day of my life, I told God not to take me, Not until some time past 3 p.m., My alone time for drinks, smokes And other delicate divertissements. I prayed from my deathbed for one last cigar, And the required two hours to smoke it. But God was not to be deterred that day! In the age of men, I was a practicing “Man!” Not to say I had the idle time for such a title. I worked hard for my family; Provided a good and bountiful life for them, And when it was time to holler with the boys, Well, by Fantods’ Hand, I was there! And, You could find me over to the big hotel on Saturdays, Where secret recipes were made manifest, With red carnations draped over white table cloths. And beautiful ladies sat with men from the east. There was much bustle to see from there, From that open-air veranda out front, Looking down Greenleaf Avenue through the trees! I recall the endless movement of human forms, Scampering and scuttling like pigeons pecking for seed, Way down there in the distance, Through the darkened elders, Keeping appointments, buying fruit, And partaking, of course, In other delicate divertissements. Dying for me was easy. I simply thought of my mother, And then, the candle inside my mind, Went out.