Good-Bye Phil

Goodbye, Phil Why die, Phil? Now we all cry, Phil Your greatness, Phil, in not tainted Most could recognize Your paintings, prize But who could see behind those eyes? Writers’ group did When you put pen to paper you took off the lid For your soul I will bid To send you to heaven I vote As long as there’s enough black paint I hope And endless canvasses And to criticism just say “nope” Unless it’s constructive And not reductive You deserve the best Kind and gentle to the rest No favorites did you have Yet with you gone our hearts need a salve Your light permeated my life I just pray you are now free from all your strife You are special, Phill One hundred percent you, Phil No one can replace you, Phil I love you too, Phil