RIP Joe

Drew's theatre department recieved tragic news six years ago, on  March 10, 2007 when we were informed that our beloved Head of the Department, Joe Patenaude, passed away. This poem is my response to hearing the tragic news. Since it's been six years this month, and since I find myself thinking of Joe more and more often this month, with the new whirlwind changes in my life, I decided to post this here. If it wasn't for Joe I never would have been a theatre major, so he's was a pretty big force in my life.  

Whirlwind
Shock.
Confusion.
Pain.
Then
Absolute
And utter
Numbness.

Hands shaking,
Mouth too dry
to speak.
Heart pounds
In grief.

Realization hits.

Never hear
Your jokes
In the
Theatre Wing
Again.
Never see
You smile
Or hear
Your laugh.

No longer
Will you
Kid, cajole,
Rib or
Advise us.

No longer
Will our
Department
Thrive under
Your dedicated
And extremely
Loving hand.

You have

Died and
Left this
Cold world.
But do
Not fear.
Although
You are
No longer
Among the
Living, you
Will never
Be forgotten.

Forever, you'll
Live on
In our hearts
And in
The DOYO.

RIP Joseph Patenaude