POEM - Joe Torres

we spent hours together

on the North side

of the old Main building

tossing a plastic disc

endlessly back and forth

unless we chanced an escape

just every once in a while

when the guards took a break

we'd slide of the grounds

beeline it to Campus Discounts

for two big bags of popcorn

at 15 cents a piece

and me with an Abba Zabba

and a Root Beer with crunchy ice

Joe with his Orangina

spending the first few minutes

slowly shaking it up and down

like a ritual meditation

the Zen master, serene and patient

it was good to know Joe

then I moved, and he moved on

i saw him on some kid show

hamming it up

didn't know the stoic had it in him

and I was going to end on a sad note
a rumor went around a few years ago 
that Joe was dead, what a bummer

instead Fletcher sent me a message
let me know about Joe
still keeping guard in Tucson
our very own dude who still abides