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In
Memoriam
The
following are some thoughts and reflections about George Harrison from
some of Rooftop Sessions' regular contributors and readers. If you
would like to contribute, please send your thoughts to Susan Ryan at susan@rooftopsessions.com.
(Thanks to Cheryl Mortensen for the beautiful banner above.)
Cheryl Mortensen
Over
the last several days, I’ve finally felt up to reading some of the
tributes on the ‘net, and I am (and am NOT) astounded at the depth of
emotion that’s been raised by George Harrison’s death.
What can I add to all these heartfelt words?
Maybe
only one thing.
I,
on a very personal level, will miss George Harrison. He’s always been a fascinating character, and as I’ve
delved deeper into his music and his words and his spiritual beliefs, I
felt as if I’d found a kindred spirit, in some ways.
Seems silly to say that about a man I’d never met, and had
little-to-no chance of ever meeting, but it’s twue, it’s twue! Thankfully, I’ll still have his words and his music on cds
and I’ll be able to read and/or listen to his wicked sense of humor from
videos and films and interviews.
But
I won’t have anything new from him.
And maybe that’s the rub.
The
buzz on the ‘net is that he was finishing up a new album, and if so,
that’s fabulous, a wonderful goodbye present from George to us, and I
thank him for that, and I can’t wait to hear it.
But once ‘the vault’ is exhausted, that’s it, the end, fini,
the big goose egg, nada, nichevo. What
other songs would he have written, had he been given his allotted,
‘normal’ amount of years, of which he was robbed?
Of which we were robbed?
Oh,
aye, there’s the rub. How
many more pearls, jewels of words, would he have strung together for us,
how many more poems would he have set to music distinguished by that
beautiful, soulful slide? Yes,
Death as the cruel robber, taking someone before it was time.
George’s death was far too soon, to an insidious disease that
respects no one and nothing; robbing him of his voice before he’d had
his full span of years. Robbing
us of future pearls.
And
yet, from all accounts, George didn’t fear his approaching death.
I think he saw it as a doorway to another existence, something
he’d been searching out nearly all his adult life.
Not seeking, mind you, but not fearing either.
A door closes, another door opens.
Maybe what’s beyond this world is like the Yellow Submarine film,
the hallway of doors, with each door leading to something new and
different and wonderful. I
like that idea.
I
also like George’s last words to us, to love one another.
He could have said “Piss off, you nosy bastards!” and I
wouldn’t have blamed him a bit! But I would have seen the humor behind the Python-esque
quote.
Pick
a good door, George, and sing in another world. You’re going to be missed in this one.
Echo
DellaFranzia
Weep,
but gently
Weep, but gently
because the loneliness I feel
without that guitar is the worst.
He was open-eyed, civilized
too glorified.
Ready.
Weep, but gently
If you know the grave is not final
And if you don't,
We'll hold hands.
Weep, but gently
For prayers and fields and laughter
Are the same thing anyway.
Staci
LaMere
Dear George,
You always said you didn't want
the fame, you didn't want to be a Beatle.
But
dear George, you will always be a a Beatle.
You will be missed.
It is still hard for me to get
through John's passing every time the anniversary draws near,
and you left us too.
I guess to sum it up you wrote a
song that says it all. "Its All Too Much".
Be in Peace.
Nichole M. Wagner
Taken
Prayers
Each night you had prayers sent
Said by people you didn't know
By people who were touched
By your music
By your smile
by your optimism.
"Don't worry" you told us
"Don't worry about me"
Prayers were still said
For you, your son, your wife
Then in a shocking horrible moment,
You were gone.
Taken.
Average Person
He's just an average person
Who wants to live his life.
He's just an average person
With a family and a wife.
Those 10 years with the Beatles
Those 30 on his own
They do nothing to change it
He's just an average person.
Each day he gets up
Pours coffee in his cup.
Just like you and me.
And every average person
Is given one guarantee
With each birth there is a smile
With each death a tear.
Where one life jumps off a cliff
Another rises from the sea
And he is no different
He's not exempt from any rules
Death is a part of living
For he's just an average person.
Marlene
Kaiser Dear George:
It's lonely since you've gone away,
Yet in our hearts you'll always stay.
Your music will be everywhere,
When the birds sing you'll always be there.
And when we walk among the flowers,
Where you've spent many happy hours we'll see your smile.
So though you've only been with us a short while
We'll let you go, for you'll be in a better world, that I know.
So God will wait at heaven's gate,
For his old friend whom he'll welcome in.
Richard Zuijderduijn
Sad streams are flowing for you
Passing memories
And I know
We will be living you
Sad streams are flowing
From so many people
Young and old
Remembering your love
Your laughter, the music you gave us
We will be living you And these streams
become a river
A river reaching new hope for the future And
as the river flows
I hear your guitar gently weeps
Saying it's alright
It's alright
And I can let go
'Cause I know
We will be living you
Copyright 2001 respective
authors as noted.
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