Mr. Bones

During the first week of icy January

While making his way across

A bridge on Washington Avenue

He stopped and contemplated suicide

Finding his life weighed down too heavy

With drinks and dreams and demons

His body was recovered

Broken and lifeless

On the west bank of the frozen Mississippi

And his suicide note

Crumpled and discarded

Was later retrieved from a wastebasket

According to an eyewitness report

After he climbed over the rail

Before leaning out, before letting go

He turned back one final time

To smile happily at the horrified bystanders

And wave goodbye to the living world