Who Said That
Two old friends
(who haven’t seen each other
in quite some time)
running into each other on the
corner of Linwood and Clairmount
— A Detroit westside encounter
Man, it’s good seeing you Joe,
how is ...
Aw, Moms doing just fine. And you’re
looking very well yourself, Jimmy.
As a matter of fact, Moms mentioned
your name the other day when she
was talking to ...
Yeah, I saw Mrs. Poe just the other
day too. She said Pearl asked about me.
That she wanted to know was I still ...
Nah. I told Pearl that you and Sylvie
ain’t together no more. That y’all split
up some time ago. Back when ...
Now don’t tell me, Big Pete never got that
thing straightened out, when he got into
an accident in Sylvie auntie’s car. The
way I hear it, wasn’t ...
You heard right, Jimmy. It’s a shame really.
Mr. Lewis had no business calling Lester
to come do that kind of work. Bea Bea
didn’t like that one bit. Said she was gonna ...
I know, I know. But, Sammie didn’t have
the right connections like Bea Bea thought
he did. Come to find out ...
Yep. You heard ‘bout that too. Seems when
the dices rolled crap on Charlie Lou, that only ...
Joe, I would’ve too. Ain’t no need in everybody
coming up short. Especially, after what happened with ...
Don’t tell me Little Louise didn’t. After all that time,
you would think ...
Well, some people ain’t got good judgment,
even if the law said you could ...
I’m with you, Jimmy. That’s the sort of thing you
gotta work on the down low, real quiet like.
Can’t nobody ...
You better believe it. It’s the hush-hush
type of business you keep to yourself. And to think,
Mr. Oscar knew about it too. If only ...
Yeah, but Marge said that train left the station a long time ago.
Well, Jimmy, it was so nice ...
Likewise, Joe. It was so good catching up on things,
but don’t ...
You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout that, Jimmy.
My lips are shut tight. Only thing is ...
Aw, I wouldn’t worry ‘bout that too much. Mabel sho’ ain’t.
She don’t even remember why Claire started ...
Even still, my lips are sealed.
Good deal, old friend. Hope to see you much sooner
than this last stretch of time. Maybe when ...
I hope so too. Jessie, wouldn’t mind seeing that co-op thing happen.
She says it could blow up big time.
Bye-bye old pal. By the way, if you run into ...
Nah, Joe. Myra and Frank don’t need to know
nothing ‘bout what Junior did. That ain’t
nobody’s business but Roscoe, Tina and Junior’s,
okay.
Okay.
Hope to see you soon. It’s been too long
a time as it is.
It’s hard to find out what’s going on,
when old friends ain’t seen each other
in so long.
They end their brief encounter
with the customary exchange
of the old slave saying:
Hey bro, remember to ...
Keep the secrets real quiet ...
Always under lock and key. Never ...
Let ‘em know a blessed thing ...
Keep it just between you and me.
Copyright © Freddie Robinson Jr. | Year Posted 2017
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment