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"Tears, grief, memories and tributes of respect. "

                                  Quote by - Constance

On a cloudless sunny day in Orillia fifty family and friends
gather in an emotional funeral for a music legend
the singer and songwriter and beloved Gordon Lightfoot
you see, he died on May 1, 2023 in hospital ... an old man
2,400 people had attended a visitation the day before with tears
and condolence books have been signed across Canada and beyond
for he was a folk music hero that Canada shared with the world
his sound a baritone voice and a twelve string acoustic guitar
imagine a young man singing in a smoky crowded coffee house
while it poured rain outside his voice filling every corner and soul
he was an amazing storyteller and sang his story songs for us

Gordon's parents owned a dry cleaning business in Orillia, Ontario
he showed musical talent at an early age becoming a performer
singing in the choir inspired him to sing with emotion and he became
the boy soprano, he self taught himself the guitar, piano, drums and 
percussion, as he got older, he performed in bars, and venues
it was said ... he would sing for a couple of beers, not sure if true
by this time he had a deep baritone voice that he become famous for

"his name is synonymous with timeless songs about trains,
and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers and loneliness."
wrote his biographer, Nicholes Jennings once in an interview
who can forget his 1975 song about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald
so many songs, hundreds, too many to list here in a poem
but of course, I have my favorites that I will keep close to my heart

Ribbon of Darkness
If You Could Read My Mind
Sundown
Early Morning Rain
The Last Time I Saw Her
Carefree Highway
and many, many more

He moved to Los Angelus in 1950 to study jazz and supported 
himself writing commercial jingles, but he missed Canada and home
and returned in 1960, though he has toured the USA and the world
he was also recording songs and albums in the 1960's on many subjects
and he became a successful musician recognized for his talent

In 1975 he contacted Bells Palsy which left his face partially paralyzed
but Gordon continued to make albums and have hits, and do tours
imagine the courage and determination it took for him to go on
and in 2002 he had an abdominal aneurysm  that almost killed him
leaving him in a coma for six months but in 2004 he had a comeback
tour, returning to the music business and recording album hits, then
in 2006 he had a minor stroke leaving some of his fingers frozen 
and then did a twenty-six city tour ... Gordon said in an interview
"I fought my way back in seven to eight months"  he was a strong man

He continued touring and making hits all through his life into old age
until just before his death when he just could not go on anymore
his was a quiet death for a man who brought so much to the world
his sound, his music will live on for future generations to discover
rest in peace Gordon Lightfoot, you are an inspiration for the world

_________________
May 11, 2023


Poetry/Bio/Timeless
Copyright Protected, ID 05-07-1546-504-11
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France

Written for the Premiere Contest, Gordon Lightfoot Inspiration
sponsor, Robert James Liguori, Judged 05/11/2023

First Place
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