GRATITUDE

RIP MR, JP

madonna's dad joe got mugged and i was pissed

i phoned the daily news and asked for mike royko

one ring: "royko"

i told him the story and the backstory

"i'll check it out"

meanwhile madonna's sister phoned him with the same facts

a few days later he did a column*

i went to the billy goat for a beer, the bar was crowded, i sat next to royko

though tempted to say hello

his aura was profoundly private

reading the paper

chain smoking pall malls 

"where particular people congregate" 's their motto

he slammed shots of christian brothers brandy

one after the other

where particular people congregate

*04/03/1972 chicago daily news

copyright © 2017 by patrick o'hayer