Prince Showed Up on My Back Porch Today

by Riley Londraville ’27 on October 30, 2025


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I served him starfish and coffee while Dad told him how they weren’t supposed to meet this way

They were supposed to meet years ago when Dad’s best friend, Neftalie, made fake press passes and snuck into Prince’s house party, where they partied under a moon like this one

My dad was too chicken to go, and Neftalie was too chicken to say hello

But Prince sits here now as the purple rain pummels the pavement and butterscotch clouds hide the celestial glow

Dad hasn’t washed his hand since that concert he went to all those years ago

He practically cut his arm off and framed it once people began calling to pay their respects and offer their condolences

But now he’s set his mind free, and now he understands

Starfish and coffee

Maple syrup and jam

Prince will be gone once the smoke clears, the high wears off, and the record stops spinning

But for now, he takes off his raspberry beret and keeps on singing.