An Ode in 6/8 Time with Solo Riffs

 An Ode in 6/8 Time with Solo Riffs

(Dedicated to John Yusik who was taken Oct. 22 2020. [6/8 time=6 syllables/8 line stanzas)

I met John in the mission in drug recovery program. He was doing very well. Started attending Vineyard church on Sunday nights with me. Became fully involved, on worship team ect. Met Gila, dated, married, they had a baby girl(now 11-12 yr old), and got a good job. I moved here. One month ago saw Gila on Facebook no pics/mention of John. In private messages she told me he had relapsed, she had to kick him out, and they didn't where he is. Yesterday she posted that he had passed away on Thursday. Its bittersweet.

Kamloops town shit went down 

In North Van. Had a plan

Bottom hit tried to quit

Mission bound freedom found

Life in gear Jesus near

Was his friend ear to bend 

Vineyard church end of search

Got a life blessed with wife

In the basement electric guitar in hand. He would play for hours. When the hunger called he would play and scream and cry til the storm went by. He taught me some funky chords and alternate tunings. Sounds like celtic alien opera bled from his fingers. Acoustic blusey worship for morning group devotions would wrench your heart.

Married guy wife and I

Got to hang laughter rang

Board game nights 'Men in Tights'

Out to shows friendship grows

Baby bump hurdle jump

Got some work earned that perk

Child come like the sun

Shadows chased big grin placed

I could see it wasn't easy. He was a worrier when he should have been a warrior. When settlement money came south Saskatchewan was calling our name. Family waiting. "I know it its flat, Johnny boy, but no avalanches, rock slides, or forrest fires, besides,  the sky is wide open and sunsets last forever."

Marching time takes our prime

Paths we crossed connection lost

Decade flew hardly knew

Got a look on Facebook

Of his spouse girl and house

Saw no John had he gone?

Back to pain lost in rain

No more song now he's GONE

He fed the monkey on his back. It finally consumed him. I had hoped and wished for better. For a wonderful while he had it. His wife is a glorious Valkarie Phoenix who will rise from the ashes of a life he left to burn. He did one good thing. Her name is Adrienne. His girl is the best half of him left to shine. 

Life is not as easy as 1+2+3=success.  Real life is more like trying to solve an equation that involves algebra, calculus, advanced geography, and quantum physics in a hurricane. He got caught up in the...

Tornado 

Nado

Ado

Do

O

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