Two Men Dead

This has been the year of the dead for some people in my life,
As they went out to meet their graves, not knowing when to leave
For one was a bully, who I couldn't wait to hear he'd left the earth
And the other was such a shocking blow, of which, today, I grieve.

I never believed in evil until I met just this one,
For fun, he threw a lit smoke ball, which landed in a crib.
For love, I knew this other chap, who died this last weekend.
And up until the day before, I knew had life to live.

So here I wish to make a point because it's hit me hard.
As if it were a mighty sword, and it did run me through
The song is not completely wrong, for though the good die young,
Sometimes the other way goes 'round,...sometimes the bad die too.

(c) 1996 David I. Brager

The Good One, mentioned in this, is dedicated in loving memory to Aaron Laws in late June, 1996.
The other is memorialized to Steve Coates, and all action mentioned is absolutely true.