Poetry of Issue #7        Page 31

Joe Frank, 1938-2018

Joe Frank was
the color of vodka-and-tonic;
the taste of dry tamarind;
the feel of old leather;
the smell of boiling water;
the sound of footsteps in the rain.

Joe Frank died today
and all these devices
go with him
to that sardonic place
from whence he came.
goodbye, Joe Frank.
I will miss you
on the rebound of a séance
on a wet Wednesday afternoon
when the tide is low
and the taste in my mouth
is as bitter
as yesterday’s coffee.

  R. Bremner