REMEMBERING THE CAPTAIN

in memory of jerome john garcia

through all the years
through all the fears
through all the beers
you were always there
with a smile

through the high times
through blown lines
through careful rhymes
you were always there
with a smile

through a perfect note
riding in a perfect boat
through a perfect sea
you were always there
with a smile

through many great closes
like a beatnik moses
throwing neon roses
you were always there
with a smile

through a thousand lights
you seemed to be driving
foot to the metal
steering with one hand
pumping the peddle
with a smile

and as we gathered together
and as we laughed together
and as we wondered together
we always knew
that it would someday come
to this

and we were there together
hoping and praying together
that you'd soon be playing
damnit, we hung on every line

and we were there together
treating you like a model
sometimes forgetting the man
our own uncle sam

so now you're gone
moving out fast
like a roman candle
too hard to handle
going furthur still

and here we are

here
it will take some time
so we'll take it slow
but we'll take it
with a smile

and here
we'll do fine
still listening
still hanging
on every line
with a smile

and we'll always remember the way
you came to play
with a smile

thank you

Poem by Bill Weir.