Dedicated to my dear irreplaceable Internet friend, Richard Rockwell, who passed away peacefully on May 4, 2004. See his many contributions, graphic and written, on my web site and in my AD articles. For your reading pleasure I especially recommend: “Fixing Helga’s Face”; “Hair Wars”. :)

Illustration: Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
by Rembrandt

Fine philosopher friend I’ve never met,
so singular you are-–So long. My best.
For you the silence means your final rest;
for me the sudden aching space... I fret.
Minds combined mutual care--I won’t forget.
My wise old owl’s wry musings welcome guest.
Your grace, gifts of one gifted, for my quest:
an art that lasts, a credit serves the debt.
Your brief reign ordained my rite: Poetry.
Why, oh why, did your lion heart give out,
tear out that part of me, too soon decline?
“Send him a message” someone said to me!
So the mail, service suspends, do you doubt?
But the song sung? "All's fine up on Cloud Nine..."



© Helga Ross 2004, 2007