Although I don't remember the day itself,
I remember hearing that what I had
Long expected had at last occurred.
No more wondering how long it would be,
Or waiting for the song to fade out...

At first I was worried you'd go
The same way as many have before and
Find yourself suddenly canonised in
The minds of another new religion
Of people who care nothing for the living.
But now it seems that you will remain
As under recognised as you always were,
Immune to the trappings of an afterlife
As a "dead rock star".

I suppose you're only the second musician
Whose death genuinely saddened me
When I first heard of it.
And, although it seems unlikely on the surface,
I can imagine you singing with Karen Carpenter
Up in Heaven and comparing how similarly
Things turned out for the two of you.

Perhaps someday I'll join you, and
Be able to ask you the question that has
Been floating around in the still waters
Of my mind since I heard, surfacing only
When I listen to what I consider to be
The best song you ever sang.

But for now all I can do is wonder
What the weather was like in Seattle
The day your need for a stinging pistol
Was removed forever, and you could at last
Be your own and leave this battle for good.

03/07/2003

Posted on 03/14/2003
Copyright © 2025 Richard Vince