Stephe,
we lost him today
like we lost each other decades before
though this one’s more permanent.
I knew of him
before you introduced us
but it was your enthusiasm
and adoration
that made me realize how great he was.

I saw him once
sometime in the nineties.
You and I’d already lost touch
because you were loyal and kind
and I was loyal and stupid.
I saw him at the Garden.
Maybe you were there
one of the other seventeen thousand
in attendance
praying at the alter of his funk.

I’d like to think
we shared that time
though we haven’t shared anything else
in forever.

Prince is gone,
Stephe.
I’m sorry
for both of us.