MANIC CENTENARIAN WITH A LOVE
FOR BIG BAND: CASE #307

Now that Basil
is half out
of his body he's closer
to space
and from there
can hear
all the music
of the living
especially
the thumpity-thump
music
of IV bags,
the moaning
and humming
of the near dead.
He can barely
hear us talk
but slowly wags
his head
and whistles
big band tunes
mixed with rattle.
He lifts a palm
to his head
and asks if he'll
need the head
where he's going.
He says not to
burn it, please.
Stuff it and put it
on the mantle.
Put a good wig on it,
a Havana in the mouth
and a martini glass
near. Invite a few
woman over, put on
Glenn Miller and say,
that's me.