My Friend Jack

 

 

 I have a friend called Jack.  He's a bit unusual.  Not like any other friend I have - for Jack is a playing card.  Here he is.  Feel free to greet him in any pleasant way you wish.  How about highlighting him to see his neon glow? 

Above:  Jack - The Jack of Diamonds

The above picture of Jack was taken when I first met him, when he was just new out of the packet.  At first he was a bit distraught after being dragged away from his family and friends, and becoming the wrecker of card games that involve all of the cards, but he soon got over it.

Ever since then, me and Jack have had the best of times.  Here are some of the activities which we have undertaken in each other's company.

Swimming:  Jack got extremely soggy, and nearly died of ripping injuries.  He apologised later, he didn't warn me that he wasn't a good swimmer.

Soon after, we went hand gliding.  Again, Jack made a big mistake in telling me that he didn't have very extendable arms, and so failed to grip the hand glider.  He fell.  We eventually found him 50 miles away in a thorn bush after following his descent through binoculars for more than a few hours. 

After that adventure, we went to a cookery class.  Jack enjoyed this because he had an active role as being used to scrape the last pieces of dough and the such out of various bowls.  He didn't enjoy being licked off by grubby children afterwards, though.  He told me he got saliva that was not his own into his mouth, and is scared he'll catch a disease.

Lastly, and regrettably, we went cycling.  Jack couldn't pedal, so he sat on he back of our tandem.  We rode for a few hours along the sea front, where I decided we'd stop for a bite to eat.  To my horror, I discovered on turning around that Jack had disappeared.   I hurredly retraced our steps and eventually found him..

Dead - and covered in tire marks.  I mourned his sad death for a good few seconds afterwards.

Jack's funeral was held the following day.  Many stuffed teddies, family members,  and garden birds attended  Though, the birds, unfortunately seemed to be more interested in excreting on the windows of the house rather than celebrating the life of Jack in my emotional service.

Here is a small poem I wrote as an ode to Jack

Jack, oh Jack

Now you are gone

To the card deck in the sky

Away you will fly

We went flying once.  (Remember?)

You blew, blew away...

Jack - The Jack of Diamonds

(12th May 2002 - 14th May 2002)