The R.I.P.

by Kelley Jean White

The kid rolls up
his sleeves to show track marks, cigarette
burns, keloids, self-tattoos:
  Lefty 1/27/78-9/15/99 RIP
  Big Tom : 7/12/81-8/11/98 RIP
  Crow 12/5/75-11/11/94. RIP
  Rondel  9/15/80-/ / 99. RIP That’s me.
I never thought I’d make it this far.
Thought I’d let them fill in the blanks.