I have heard his voice Potent with passion to share He shared because he cared. He asked the question: "Am I a passive passenger in the boat of life?" He fought stigmatization against civil rights He provided page and stage for any voice Affected by or living with HIV/aids; As I read Phil's "Blue Mountain" What comes to mind is Mariondale Retreat Along the Hudson in Ossining, New York I drew and paint and captured Hills and lake view from a window Inside others and I heard "Celestial Mozart" as we created... I also found solace in writing. Then again I think of Jim Shaver's cabin High up in the mountains Of Idyllwild, California There we walked hand in hand Through snow white village streets And browsed boutiques Then basked in warmth of crackling fire I had had my fill of post card view Of robins and squirrels on snow capped post And pine cones larger than my head I had final exams to finish. So as I read Phil's "Blue Mountain" I think of nature poems condensed as haiku Phil tells us: "...Leaves fall, A breeze blows and I try not think but feel." Phil was in touch with nature and love, And the reality of life And I thank him mightily for sharing. *