For the owners, operators and ladies of the Ancon Inn (Panama City) and el Moro (Colon).
Thank you. Let’s do it again some time.
And, as always:
For Captain Tamara Long, USAF
Born: 12 May 1979
Died: 23 March 2003, Afghanistan
You fly with the angels now.
You are going to have the fever,
Yellow eyes!
In about ten days from now
Iron bands will clamp your brow;
Your tongue resemble curdled cream,
A rusty streak the centre seam;
Your mouth will taste of untold things
With claws and horns and fins and wings;
Your head will weigh a ton or more,
And forty gales within it roar!
In about ten days from now
You will feebly wonder how
All your bones can break in twain
And so quickly knit again!
You will feel a score of Jaels
In your temples driving nails!
You will wonder if you’re shot
Through the liver-case, or what!
You will wonder if such heat
Isn’t Hades — and repeat!
Then you’ll sweat until, at length,
You — won’t — have — a — kitten’s — strength!
In about ten days from now
Make to health a parting bow;
For you’re going to have the fever,
Yellow eyes!