Brian Wilson – d. June 11th 2025

Followed a trail of footprints along the
beach today. I could hear music far out
in the depths; a siren with hair of gold,
calling me to follow to a place that few
could ever go, not waving but singing.

Read about Brian Wilson here

Sly Stone – d. June 9th 2025

Who perfected the funk? I think I know;
a stoned prince high on his own supply
of uncut soul, wearing euphoria as a robe.
Here you come with mud in your veins;
thank you (falettinme dance again).

Read about Sly Stone here

Frederick Forsyth – d. June 9th 2025

I found this poem in a dead man’s papers
beside a photo of my credulous teenage alias,
too young to uncover your conspiracy of word
and shadow. I filed it away, marking it Eyes Only,
not suspecting those eyes would be mine.

Read about Frederick Forsyth here

Prentis Hancock – d. May 30th 2025

I was an Alpha child too, raised
in the orbit of a fading satellite,
sometimes aligning with my own.
I grow more distant every year,
a displaced moon spinning away
in the empty and eternal dark. 

Read about Prentis Hancock here

Loretta Swit – d. May 30th 2025

I heard you served with the 4077th,
an instrument of sanity in the madness
of operations gone wrong, in a show
we would like to forget but cannot,
a tragedy wearing comedy’s scrubs.

Read about Loretta Swit here

Alan Yentob – d. May 24th 2025

I came to the gallery of glass,
pressed my face against the pane
to glimpse art and word, a strain
of song. A man of easy gravitas
said I curate what genius knows:
that an open mind is hard to close. 

Read about Alan Yentob here

Arthur Hamilton – d. May 20th 2025

We write for the lonely, for those
who cry the whole night through,
who see only black where others
see purple and orange and blue.
The rainbow drowns in that river
we cried to bring a song to you.

Read about Arthur Hamilton here