I pulled up
and parked in
the employee of the month
parking space
but a guard
came out
and immediately told me to
get the hell out
before there
was any trouble.

The lines were written by Dennis Lucas Jr. in his 1992 collection, 13 Ways Of Looking At A Crow, which many thought came as close as one can to defining a contemporary Catskillian lyrical style.

Dennis Michael Lucas Jr., 42 of Hunter, passed away last Thursday, December 2. He is survived by his parents Jane and Dennis Lucas of Haines Falls, their town's former postmistress and current supervisor, as well as head of the regional Coalition of Watershed Towns.

Lucas grew up in Hunter, attended Hunter-Tannersville Central School and graduated in 1986. He then attended and graduated from Brooklyn College with a B.A. in English. Dennis lived in Brooklyn, NY, New York City and Oceanside, CA before returning to the area.

He was a poet/essayist/singer/songwriter and musician but above all a humorist, read his obituary in the Daily Mail this week. IN addition to his 1992 book of poetry and a 2000 fictional work, Cliffhanger Notes, Lucas was a regular contributor to Chronogram and other area publications.

"He was a talented guy but he had troubles with coping with all life throws our way," said his father this week. "We're losing the war on drugs."

The river is moving.
The black-bird must by flying.
The kite is stealing groceries.
The crow must be at the movies

So he wrote. And so he touched many lives, here and everywhere he landed.

Calling hours and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Aston-Basagic Funeral Home, Main St., Hunter, NY 12442 from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mtn Top Friends of the Library, the Hunter Library or Greene County Mental Health.