Strawberry Fields Forever (dedicated...)

Seattle, WA 12/18/2007

Early Seattle winter morning
It's me and I-5
rain and fog and graveyard shift
make my eyes begin to shut

My iPod shuffles Duran Duran
"Hungry Like the Wolf"
I light up another cig
(yes, I'm still smoking)
as I remember the time warp.
Sometimes music reminds us of our age
and I thought of a few friends
realizing how thinking of them
sometimes makes me feel even older
endless nostalgia
and the road ahead.

Friends whom are more than friends
individuals whose impact and presence in my life
has been nothing less than a gift from God
and if you don't believe in Him
just look at your friends

Friends like Christian whom I know since 3rd grade
and I hope one day everyone could hear him sing
or Christina Godinho
she knew Brazil would be a culture shock
and it was.
Gutty, who introduced me to Xaviera Hollander
and the girls who lived down the street
damn, I must have been 14
Arturo Monroy who was there for me always
and I wouldn't love him more if he was straight
Jorge Velez, who can make a rainy day, like today
be the best you've ever lived
then there's Tao Heras, you know him?
the main character of "The Incredible Adventures of Doctor Tao"
now that is a force to reckon with, a brother of war and peace
Grischa Alcaraz, if I had a twin....need I say more?
Wilson Martinez "La Hora De La Tos" I know you're North
carnal, I know you're North and you can't tell me
and I know you have a new name
Grillo, the sea wolf who taught me so much
see you in 2008, we shall throw a party like before.

But then, then there's the she iconoclast
my sister soul, my genesis and nemesis
deranged, genius and comrade
like saffron and paella
my Daliesque mirror is
this amazingly enlightened being
craziness that knows no match
with rebellious hair and wide open eyes
incredible talent and beauty
and a witty, razor blade mind.
You know how much I love you
but you don't know how much I admire you
and how much happiness you bring to my life
funny how your name rhymes with stubborn
I never told you this, Lauren
but sometimes I wish we could all gather together
as little kids, in a playground
if only once
and maybe one day
but not today
for today is yours and I declare it a holiday
happy birthday m'dear
and Strawberry Fields Forever