For Billy Mills

The last time I saw Billy was on the platform of the Trenton train station many years ago now. He had on a hat, was smoking a cigar and talking on a cell phone. Billy came right over to me and gave me a hug. He was too busy to talk much.

I was shocked to see he was not the same guy. We met in Nashville in 1985 or 1986. I was living there doing session work and playing in a corporate event band. He was there bartending. Billy had some of the best stories and he was not afraid to tell them to you.

I am ashamed of having let so much time pass. I wish that our goodbye was a better one.

 -Editor (search phrase “the last time i saw billy”)

Editor’s note: Billy Mills runs a great poetry blog called Poster Poems on the Guardian website.  Check it out.

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