JAMES DEAN'S PASSING
September 29. 1955


My voice cracked
as we deny your passing
the foliage lost another leaf
though there is no sound
again in the backyard
when we heard on the radio
word of your accident
yet still we may pause
at your fine acting
but the underground earth
has overturned in a moment
as your memory scatters ash
in a scent of last rose petals
invading the garden
by the Elm- tree trunks
your voice of hope sounds
from a line out of your film
"A Rebel Without A Cause"
the sun pardons you
by the river's warming mouth
we put your initials
on a tree beside mine
near the embracing ferryman
who sheds a tear
by the docks near me.