Against Entropy (1957~2006)

[winterkoninkje]

I should be sleeping, but I just found out that John M. Ford, SF author and poet, passed away last night, two nights by the time you read this. If you're not familiar with him, John Kovalic has an excellent post explaining some of his significance. And Neil Gaiman also has some words to say.

I never knew him well enough to call him Mike, but his passing has touched me more than I ever could ever have imagined. I got to know him over the Pyramid Discussion Boards, and as Kovalic says, he was always one of the most marvelous reasons to go there. It's been a couple days since I've stopped by, but now a part of me fears for what I may find.

Though I have too often, I am not a one for writing obituaries. I am too young for it. Others have posted his poem Against Entropy, an all too appropriate one if darkly hopeful. But I'll always remember him for his timely poem about the World Trade Center attacks, 110 Stories. Instead, I will leave it on another poem

THE FINAL CONNECTION

Why are there so many songs about hearses?
The way to the uttermost side,
Hearses go fast, and traffic parts for them,
But who's in a hurry to ride?
Wagons and roads are an eloquent metaphor,
Gentling and straightening the way,
Everyone takes that last exit to Brooklyn,
Home at the end of the day

Remember the start of Magnificent Seven?
Steve and Yul drove to Boot Hill,
Just a small fable of folks being equal,
And going to sleep where you will.
Tickets and transfers and waiting for answers
At something so common yet strange,
Someday you'll ride it, the last train to Clarksville,
All classes, all stations . . . all change.

Look out the window and wave to the strangers
What do they see in the glass?
Up ahead, can you see, we've stopped for Emily,
There will be more as we pass.
Savor the journey, however you're going,
It's been your whole life to get there,
Someday I'll travel, without reservations,
I hope I've two coins for my fare.

— John Mike Ford (April 10, 1957 ~ September 24, 2006)