Brother Ray

He left the world in darkness
When he walked into that light
Final curtain call
And with his swan song
He bade us goodnight

When that darkness fell
We had a glimpse into his world
A world without color or light

Yet he painted pictures most vivid
Not with a brush, but with keys
Each note had color, hue
Awakened the senses
Melodic aroma therapy

He made us see what he saw
When he sculpted rhythm
Into shapely creatures
That came to life in song
Rhythm and blues Pygmalion

In that moment
Hammer and chord did not meet
Feeling his absence
Stark and still with defeat

Missing their old friend
And longing his touch
To tickle their ivories
And make them laugh once more

The crème de la crème
Gather to mourn
Keeping players at bay
Steinway and Yamaha leading the pack
Grand and baby, upright, yes even the sax


Fallen somber,
In homage they pray
Left to grieve the loss
Of their Brother Ray