TOO BUSY:

John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins & I knew each other through email only,
introduced by my mate Perou, who sent me photographs of
the two of them together, ‘Hoppy’ looking frail in the picture,
handing Perou a book of his photographs.
“You have to check this guys work out!” you insisted, I obeyed.
John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins & I knew each other through email only,
he’d contact me once every couple of weeks enquiring if I was
going to call in to see him & pick up the book I’d ordered.
Every mail got a “Sorry I can’t make it this week” response,
life being oh-so-busy-busy, until, the other side of New Year,
I return from another week of flat-out-full-on to find that mail
in my in box telling me he’d passed away. His work was beautiful,
lifted me, made my eyes sing, raised the roof off my head,
got me out’ve bed & moving & I wish I’d told him in person.

(K)