It was an exquisitely beautiful and heart-filled celebration of life. My musician friend died far too young, with so much music still inside of him. The heavens will benefit as his soul soars and cruises through the ethers playing his fascinatingly complex blend of guitar loops.
Thankfully for those of us left walking the earth, recordings of his musical wizardry exist, allowing us to dive into wonderment at the click of a button.
A lasting gift from his memorial is this poem written by his grandmother. I’ve read none better that describes the magnitude of peace, beauty and power I gain from time in the woods.
Join me now, and let’s take a stroll.
The Walk
it is the time
in the woods
that is good
now
standing firm
on ancient rock
solid as elephant’s back
looking down
into hemlock’s
green confetti
standing firm
on mossed-over ground
looking up
into hemlock lace
on branches
stepped toward
heaven
removed from all
mundanity we know
the tremulous motion
of trees
stir of birds
the glinting amber of brook
and silence
gathers us in
holds us inviolate
against the outer world
just outside
these woods
~ Katrina Van Tassel