Ode to 3 Voices

Here is a link to my YouTube channel where I read my poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvQ13w_ezYI

May 2017.
The world went quiet
and I was in jail.
Trying not to cry�"
I wanted to be in the sky
or on a highway somewhere,
when Chris Cornell left
this earth,
that haunted
sanctuary of a voice
burning through the speakers
like a bottle rocket,
fighting demons in every note.

Robin�"
laughter stopped mid-stride.
Comic genius swallowed
by despair.
A mind staring hard at reality�"
what a concept�"
turning joy into shadow
as dawn shattered
into a million broken smiles.

Chester�"
two months after Chris.
Friends in life,
echoes in death.
His skin simply too
much to inhabit.
That climbing, aching cry�"
crawling toward
something better,
or maybe just away from pain.

Three fathers. Three artists.
Burning too bright,
leaving too soon.
Demons whispering behind
their brilliance.
Bleeding inside…
behind the flame of Babylon.

I knew the nights,
tasting like whiskey
and
whispered hallelujahs.
The days overflowing
like rivers of s**t.
I walked the hellish streets,
their voices my soundtrack�"
numb and febrile under a
beaten sky,
watching the balloons float off
into someone else’s party,
demons trailing in every shadow.

I know the cost of
of feeling like you
have to be "on"
all the goddamn time.

Next month
I’ll be three years sober�"
holding on to whatever light I can,
because I know the darkness
far too f*****g well.

I carry their music,
and Robin’s laughter,
in my bones and bloodstream�"
their pain folded into my own
black dog days.

Rest in peace, boys.

Author's Note

I am pleased to announce the release of my latest book, Aluminum Cowboys: Poems and Short Stories, available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Cowboys-Poems-Short-Stories/dp/B0G33PDHBJ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Those memories can become sad poetry. If we are lucky. We find a good ending. Thank you, Thomas for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[John the Baptist]

Sometimes genius is paid for in pain. Few watching a performance can understand the anguish underneath the art. That you have persevered indicates you still have much to give.

[Thomas W Case]

I appreciate it.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Superb expression, Thomas🕊️🙏🏻

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thomas, this piece is brilliant, probably because it tells such painful truths from who knows where deep in your heart, deep in your soul. Since I began following you, I think this is the best piece you have written.

[Thomas W Case]

I appreciate that.

[Ken Simm.]

Immeasurably sad and yet beautifully penned.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[red93]

Fabulous Work Thomas, and this Piece for me had echoes of Ginsberg's Legendary 'Howl'. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.