died today.
I have no real words for this. Not coherent ones.
We had known each other for years, but I lost touch with him after the 2003 NPS.
We had dinner together one night at Earwax and I broke the news to him of Chris Branch’s death. He broke down and sobbed. I broke down again.
He e-mailed me at the start of the war with Iraq to tell me that he’d heard someone read my poem from 100 Poets at a rally.
I saw Sleater-Kinney and the White Stripes for the first time with Bill, Sou, and Ken, where we stood eating hot sticky pizza in a line outside Avalon in Boston. It was right after Pat Storm died.
We were part of the greatest pick up slam team I was ever on: me, Ken, Richard Cambridge, and Sean Shea. We named ourselves “Church of the Big Stone Jesus” and whipped all comers.
We were guitar talking buddies on the SlamAmerica tour.
We sat in the basement of the Chopin Theatre in 1999 and talked for fucking hours.
I fell apart the first time I ever saw him read “OKC.” I’ve got his book, “This Carcass Is A Road Map,” beside me as I speak.
I refuse to become one of those friends you have to bury.
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
I think I’ll send him an e-mail, just to say I don’t hold it against him.
Dark Matter 
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 24th, 2005 at 3:43 am
always there
In 97, I was one of 9 poets to head to Austin calling ourselves the New England Contingent. Ken opened his home for us to stay, even though he had to work all that week and couldn’t be with us most of the time. A year later, when I returned to Austin, alone and a little scared about that fact, Ken and Tom the World Poet both took me under their wings and made sure I was OK. We even joined in on a 24hour poetry reading which ended with making chapbooks of all our works before he took me out to this tiny hole in the wall resturaunt for breakfast. I have never since been able to eat gingerbread pancakes without thinking of him and smiling. Whether in Austin, Taos, Chicago, or Boston, I never met up with him when he couldn’t make me smile, think, or laugh at myself. I prefer to remember and smile.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Keep breathing.
please. Pretend it’s july and I get to see you, and we’re in the sun in a pool with friends.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
you too, S.
I did send that e-mail, for some absurd reason…maybe in the hope that it would be answered. I know I was weirdly comforted when it didn’t bounce back.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:42 am
This is one of those times where I am smart enough to know that I have no words that can make this better.
I wish I was there to just put my arms around you.
Take care of you.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 am
My thoughts are with you tonight
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am
*hugs*
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?
March 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 am
Why did I always know he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise?
it’s been a strange night on the phone, T – talking with both Phil & with Sonya, & both of them said just that. though one of the earthiest guys i’ve ever met, Ken always had a little bit of ephemera to him – he walked lightly, he spoke softly in conversation… Sonya said, “I tried to picture him as an old man… can you do that?” & neither of us could…
i had almost forgoten about Sleater-Kinney, you know. thank you for reminding me. thank you so very very much.
this is a mess. i can barely process it.
we’re going to have a memorial here. i’ll let you know as soon as i have the date.
hey, Brown? you know i love you, right?