for fast eddie

fast eddie cashed out today
at home, with his friends by his side
(man had a lot of friends).
i guess you could say
he did it his way -- never left his perch
no hospital wards for fast.

fast grew up somewhere up north
but he got here as quick as he could.
went to the nam and saw some things
he didn't like to talk about.
he minded his own, never had a bad word
for anyone.

now i'm not saying
that fast was connected,
i'm just saying
that he knew people.
in vegas, they called him
john garfield.

and wasn't it a time
that new year's eve when fast
started out at one end of west 7th
and worked his way
all the way down to the other end --
one bar at a time?

"now eddie," said trumpet-playing brian
that tends bar at the hideaway
at the end of his run,
"next year, i'd be most appreciative
if you'd start out _here_
and work your way down _there_."

wherever you are tonight, brother,
i hope you hit that big trifecta
and fill out that inside straight.
just wanted to let you know
that i'm looking out for katmandu
until it's time for us to meet again.