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Gunshy Martyr (Free verse) by blurryphotograph
He loved trees
People called him a tree hugger, but
he insisted that the trees hugged him.
Marijauna trees and peace beads
were his mantra,
and he said that sex was
an expression of love,
sacred and holy,
he lived in a time before AIDS.
He used to sit in the shade and ponder life.
Beating bongo drums he laughs
and says absurd things like,
"Rainbows play the beautifullest music."
I wish I knew then what I know now.
I would have listened harder.
I giggled, high off life
as he stroked my hair and told me
stories of people turning into trees
people who parted red seas
and what it was like to be free.
He laughed, high off pot
and told me about sex drugs
and rock and roll
Something about Jim Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin
I liked the way the J's sounded
It didn't matter what he was saying
His voice filled me with something indescribable
I later labeled that feeling 'love'
Before he left he said something about
peace
protests
and police brutality.
He said not to be a gunshy martyr,
and he kissed me on the forehead.
It was the last I saw of him.
I remember something wet on his cheeks
as he turned away
I figured it was just starting to rain.
I also figured he was coming back.
He didn't, and I
got a sunburn waiting for him
that day.
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