Happy New Year! For the past several years, I’ve been writing homages to a wide range of people who have passed this year. The verses are in no particular order and some of them are well-known and many were unknown to me, but all of them led fascinating lives. These verses are not meant to … Read More
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2020 R.I.P. Part Two
Witty, wise, completely iconic RBG’s demise so deeply ironic She loved equal rights, the Constitution But God just delights in retribution Because race held her back again and again And the deck was stacked by the world of men Emma Amos – all activism and art Just no way she could keep them apart The … Read More
Little Richard 1932-2020
Little Richard Click her for slideshow The “Little” was for his youth when he first heard the call Good Golly Miss Molly sure like to ball What did we just hear? Completely absurd But the Bible is clear, In the Beginning was the Word Whop bop b-luma b-lop bam bom What on earth? A guy … Read More
Sondheim at 90
Sondheim at 90 His nature – not long in modestyAt eighteen he felt Broadway boundNo question he was a prodigyBut not all did he astound Oscar gave him a nuanced review:“Stephen, it’s terrible!”To Sondheim these words were newBut here’s what made it bearable: Line by line, the sword of Hammerstein The score bled red inkCould there … Read More
2019 RIP Part 5 – Others
Press here for audio/visual Leavelle was cuffed to the killer of JFKLive television a grey matineeRuby rushed forward with his 38Conspiracy believers lying in wait All fathers are flawed, that’s a givenHe drank and he pawed and by ego was drivenBut what can we do, they’ve all we’ve gotJulia’s dad was the Sultan of Swat … Read More
2019 RIP – Part 4 – Writers
Press here for audio/visual The previous narrator demanded changes to his contract and has walked off the set. We have brought in his understudy, former public radio personality, Keith Henty. The operative word there is “former” so that’s why he was available to fill in today. Thank you and enjoy the show. Writers A poet, … Read More
2019 RIP – Part 3 – Actors
Press here for audio/visual Character actors say there’s a way you Leave the audience wanting more No one better than Peter Mayhew Among the Stars he went to War Tim Conway went to Chagrin Falls High (for real) With Carol Burnett he hit his stride So many scenes he broke or would steal But everyone … Read More
2019 – RIP – Musicians
Press here for audio/visual He’s dead but let us be grateful for Robert Hunter’s lyrical spin A life spent abetting the faithful What a long strange trip it’s been Daniel Johnston embodied outsider art A modern day Willam Blake Fearlessly wrote of a mind breaking apart Seems despair never cut him a break La Nave … Read More