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2022: Becoming a Shining Star
Away from the shadows binding his heart
Tomorrow, Aug 15, marks the one year anniversary of the unexpected death of my dear friend Mike Rose. He was an integral part of my life for almost 35 years and still inspires me daily as I remember all the incredible moments we had over the years. He was the first person who told me I had a gift for writing and, since poetry was his first expression of his love of language, I’m happy to offer this poem to his memory.
For those who knew him, he was unforgettable. For those who didn’t here’s the article from UCLA in which his philosophy is described in his own words as “a deep belief in the ability of the common person, a commitment to educational, occupational and cultural opportunity to develop that ability, and an affirmation of public institutions and the public sphere as vehicles for nurturing and expressing that ability.”
