Buck Tusing Checks Out

In the smoky atmosphere of my mind
he stands behind the bar, serving us.
Just like he did all those years ago,
just like he did for my father.
He flashes me a glance that says “last call.”
It’s funny, I always saw the hurricane as half full
but here it’s two o’clock and I’m still sober.
I stare back at him, a sad look saying:
“It’s not us, but you that must go.”
Now the bar is empty,
and he transforms into his present self
with a respirator tube up his nose…
I always wondered how much cocaine it had known,
But that doesn’t really matter now.
I raise my half empty glass to him,
and down it…then exit back to reality.
I passed Death on the way out,
it was the only time I saw him without a scythe.
He still planned on taking Buck,
but not without buying the man a drink.