Dear Lou

Tonight at church I lit a candle for you
Or I guess I should say I'd intended to
But most were taken, the rest extinguished
"Hey, everyone lit a candle for Lou"
I said with a smirk that I borrowed from you
Holding the flame till it almost burned through
Petitioning softly for mercy for you

Tonight at home I played "Coney Island Baby"
Your paean to the glory of love
"Sorry it took a while, thank you"
Not at all, my dear Lou
It is I who thank you
Friend, it took no time at all

For Lou Reed, 1942-2013.