For Johnny

For Johnny


I printed the email

that told me of your fate today

It was from someone I've never even met

Your step-daughter whose name

I recognized from all the Christmas cards

you wrote me through all these years



Another lost opportunity was what I thought

After I stopped shaking I mean

You weren't supposed to go down so soon

It was just three months ago

you said you wanted me to know

you had something to tell me



I remember you, Johnny man

hammering on your snare

signaling a cue with a drum roll

You really listened

I recognized that you know

You with your brown eyes speaking no idle words

But when you counted us in

you were always right on time



I remember you and your gentle, generous ways

How you felt so lucky to have found your love

That beautiful girl

Couldn't believe she picked you



All you ever wanted

was to live a simple, quiet life

Long enough to get old

or at least tired of something



I remember your sailboat, Woodwind

You built every part of her yourself

And took us privileged ones along with you

to paradise

so long as we were good mates



And that cove where we anchored

to bob in the waves

and watch the sunset over the Island

the warmth of the sand

the safety of friendship

the forever contentment



I remember you, my friend

always there but so far far away

I never saw you again after all that craziness

and youthful fun we shared

You and your drums in perfect pitch

And me with my little voice--



But I hear your rattat-ta rattat-ta ta ta da dum

I feel the thwump as your foot punches the bass

And it's still there, Johnny John

there's only one drummer man for me