Earl J. Wilcox

At Walter's Wake

The Elders look like
       monks in business suits
       sitting in pews
       at the funeral
       of a friend,
       whose salty jokes 
       kept us chuckling
       into our napkins
       from lentil soup
       through the entree
       of a gourmet meal. 

Walter's wit was like
       his salads,
       crisp and sharp,
       somewhat savory
       and tart,
       yet
       pleasing
       to the palate,
       as the spicy ingredients
       of a ribald tale.