One by one they appear in
the darkness: a few friends, and
a few with historical
names. How late they start to shine!
but before they fade they stand
perfectly embodied, all
the past lapping them like a
cloak of chaos. They were men
who, I thought, lived only to
renew the wasteful force they
spent with each hot convulsion.
They remind me, distant now.
True, they are not at rest yet,
but now that they are indeed
apart, winnowed from failures,
His friends lives and ideas are remembered, yet they are distant because Gunn is trying to show how you need to eventually let go and forget eventually.  A good allusion is the story of Kip.  Our class is going to be the last class that was in direct interaction with him.  Therefor after we graduate he won’t be forgotten yet there will be a period of letting go and acceptance of moving forward. 

My Sad Captains