Requiem for a Gangster

last monday ray patton died in a federal penitentary where he was serving time for a crime he did not commit. not that he had not done many crimes, he had, but he took the fall for one that was bogus. ray had many faults. he was a violent and dangerous man. he never did an honest day's labor in his life, he was a con man and a thief to boot. he was also the bravest and toughest man i have ever met and i could tell you tales that would curl your blood. but he was my best friend and i shall miss him all the days of my life.

July 24th,

went up on sunrise mountain
where the view is the best
all of vegas below
north to south...east to west

the mojave is a brutal land
not at all friendly
and
you know what they say
lots of bodies buried there
lots more on the way

only prophets and madmen
live in the desert
the only ones to survive
prophets see god
madmen see the other side