In Memorium

This has been quite a month. My friend Rob Fried died, a wonderful musician and extraordinarily kind, gentle person. He will be missed by many people. I wrote a short piece that is on the Max Creek site, but the one below is a bit more personal and I am posting it here in his honor.

In Memory of R.F.

You smiled out from under your panama hat
Hawaiian shirt, bell-bottom jeans, leather jacket
70’s original with fringe.
Congas, djembes and bongos
decked your halls, even the ceiling
Hot tub on back porch,
Japanese garden with sculptures -
Offerings from fans to the musician.
Posters, buttons, drawings on the walls
Notes from friends and fans.
You kept your collection of records
On both sides of your bed,
a colorful gate around it.
Now you have stepped over a new fence.
Are you playing congas in heaven?
Ringing the cow bell for god?
Have you seen Gerry yet?
Are you keeping the divine beat?
I’ll remember you, Rob,
Every time I tap my feet.