Claude's Lines

Claude were you tired that night Of the slashes from life you’d born Or the effort it took And the ruts you’d worn Did you sigh and quietly go away Or groan and curse and fight to stay It doesn’t matter I guess Smooth or rough, night or noon It’s all to us one thing Too soon, too soon You lived your life full and bold What a life, what a trip, what a soul Memories like the notes of a wind chime We’d struggle and laugh, call each other “pard” Life around you my friend Was somehow less hard What passion you had And infectious joy Full tilt, wide open, and crank it up You gave your friends such love and trust You gave so much and gave so well That part of you became part of us So we will live this day in your name Sad, oh sad that you left, but blest that you came Warrior, artist, son, brother, husband, father and friend Claude, so well mixed were thee That in all who loved you when we heard you were gone Not an eye, not a tear did not shed Including me, Including me.