Dora Bryan - d. July 23rd 2014

You were the stealer of scenes;
mother, sister, barmaid, aunt, 
chirpy as a crate of canaries,
the honey in everyone's cupboard.

Read about Dora Bryan here

James Garner - d. July 19th 2014

I scrounged these words,

a trick I learned from you,
but when I called 
to let you know
I got Hello, this is Jim
I'm not here right now.

Read about James Garner here

Johnny Winter - d. July 16th 2014

Though they bootlegged you

into oblivion,
mainlined your licks,
your blues were always true,
and indelible as an old tattoo.

Read about Johnny Winter here

With thanks to Brett Evans

Elaine Stritch - d. July 17th 2014

Vaudeville has so many orphans,
but none like you,
eyes bright as nickels,
voice soaked in vinegar,
laughing down the years.

Read about Elaine Stritch here

Alfredo Di Stéfano - d. July 7th 2014

The game is nearly done,
lit up by genius, rare
as the perfect hat-trick.
The fourth official
holds up the board
which says zero minutes.

Read about Alfredo Di Stéfano here