When Autumn Leaves Start To Fall

A tribute to Eva Cassidy (Still Work in Progress)

Its strange the power

that love can be;

This woman.....this un-earthly voice

making each song

a transcendental experience,

shining like the sun's corona,

far ahead of her peers.

 

She took songs,

infused them with her soul,

her passions, her dreams

and gave them to us all.

 

She rendered classic numbers

with more clarity and inspiration

than anyone before,

her voice drawing me in

and holding me captive,

so that I never, ever

want to be released.

 

Sadly she died young,

before she could enjoy

life to the full

with the joys

and trappings

of her musical success.

 

That malignant mole,

removed from her back,

returned to break

her bones

and take her

from the earth.

 

So, so sad,

at thirty-three,

yet still she

lives on for many

in the songs

she made her own,

and she still

takes my breath away,

even though

her ashes now lie

along the shores

of St. Mary's River.

 

For her there

will indeed be crying

in this wonderful world,

as the days grow long

and we hear old winter's song

and we miss her most of all.

 

03/07/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[kentuck14]

John,
Indeed a beautiful voice and performance . . . A wonderful tribute you have written.
Was she British or American?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed so. She was American. Many thanks for indulging me this UK evening Tom.

[kentuck14]

you bet my friend!

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved her songs too. I listen to her still. She is one of my muses for writing. Her voice, sweet, kind and gentle. Thank you John for sharing the great song-birds of our time.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed she has a voice to stir the emotions and get the ink flowing through the heart Coyote John. Many thanks.

[Coyote Poetry]

I love her voice and you are welcome John.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Such a moving tribute...and what a great voice she had...
never heard before so thanks for introducing me to her silky voice.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Jacob. Many people are just doscovering her. I knew the name but only listened for the first time this week.

[Kelly Scheppers]

A friend of mine got me hooked on Eva's music a few years ago. I have a CD with this song on it, and from the first time I heard it, I was moved beyond words. What a voice! She is truly in a class of her own!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed folk are still discovering and being moved by her music. Thanks Kelly.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

A beautiful poem John, thank you for introducing me to Eva. A lovely voice. Very sad to lose one so young.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My pleasure Edie. I only discovered her music yesterday and used some quotes from others to describe her. Will be listening to her often. Many thank yous.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful tribute here John to Eva of the heavenly voice. She will always be remembered by her fans so fondly. Penned with passion methinks.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Chris. Now I've found her she sits among my great ladies such as Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Karen Carpenter, Annie Lennox, Norah Jones, Dido and Katie Melua to name a few. Many thanks Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

You have good taste in women singers John. No Adele?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No of course up there for me. Just listening to Wonderful world as aduet between Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua, beautiful!!!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

PS as well as Adelle I would add Nerian Pallot, Sade,KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, Amy Lee, Duffy, Corrine Bailey-Rae, Anastacia, Sinead O'Connor, Alison Moyet, Julie London, Maria Mena, Christian Perri, Nina Simone, Keri Watt, Nell Bryden and Lana Del Rey!