Not Meeting Thomas Lux

I never met Thomas Lux
I had planned to drive the two hours  
Over to a neighboring state  
I wanted to meet him    
To see him smile as he had in photographs  
I wanted to talk to him about life, love, and poetry  
I wanted to discuss his poems and mention mine  
“Why yes” I’d say, “I just happen to have a few  
Of my poems with me if you would like to see them.”  
I would ask if I could get someone to take a picture    
Of us together so I could lie    
And tell people we were friends  
He would smile, throw his arm around me  
And say, “Sure! But tell them the truth, we are friends”  
I heard from those that knew him    
That he was nice and he was kind  
I wanted to tell him how much I liked  
Refrigerator 1957, how wonderful the lines,    
“. . .a jar of maraschino cherries.    
Three-quarters full, fiery globes,    
like strippers at a church social.”    
How it makes me smile    
Every time I read it  
But I never made the trip to see him  
I planned to go when I had more time  
Now I have more time    
And he doesn’t have any  
I remember the sadness  
Upon hearing of his passing  
I will probably always regret  
Not meeting Thomas Lux