My Friend Mark

I've known him since high school, He had an immense impact on me, Tosseled, curly blonde hair, And always with a smile, A musician's musician, With talent a tad lower Than he gave on, I feared no audience when he was there, He somehow comforted me, He always had a bright outlook, He was magic in a crowd, With tales and totes to please us all, He made a 40 watt bulb burn at 100, I particularly remember he and Mike Joseph, (Who stole an amp from me), Sitting on the "Peeve Room" floor, with acoustic guitars on laps, Playing "Uncle John's Band" To my delight, in 1970, And all the music he opened me up to, my God, he taught me so much... Hence my great sadness at his passing, When the angel of death came down to touch, And take this musician, genius, and friend, Into another celestial abode... They left a hole in my heart, Where once his gift of friendship flowed.