My dear friend, we were so blessed to have you, even for so absurdly short a time. Now you’re in Heaven, where it’s Movie Night every night. In heartbroken tribute, through a blur of tears, I offer these lyrics, (re)written years ago, which are how I will always remember you. I love you, man.
Addendum: At least you lived long enough to see your beloved (yes I use that word with tearful irony) Chiefs win the Super Bowl. At the time I probably said something about how you could then die happy. Now I wish my tongue had been torn out by the roots rather than suggest such a thing even in jest.
“The Host with the Most”
(Lennon/McCartney/Bradley)
Night after night, alone in his flat
The man with the wall of hats is talking just to his cat
But once in a while they join him
For the fun and the films and food
And he never lets them help him
But the host with the most
Sees his friends coming ‘round
And the candles are lit
When the sun’s going down
Kaiju and gore, presented with pride
The man of a thousand movies keeps him amply supplied
But don’t ask about Blake Edwards
Or the films he appears to hate
And he never seems to show them
But the host with the most
Sees his friends coming ‘round
And the candles are lit
When the sun’s going down
And he always serves your favorites
He just does what he wants to do
And he doesn’t charge admission
But the host with the most
Sees his friends coming ‘round
And the candles are lit
When the sun’s going down
He doesn’t go for breakfast
Or send you on your way
He just sleeps in
The host with the most
Sees his friends coming ‘round
And the candles are lit
When the sun’s going down
Tom…
Beautiful. One of the good guys. This is really tough.
Matthew, a lovely tribute. And you’re right; if he had to go, and least he got to see the Chiefs hoist the Lombardi Trophy…
Thanks, Mark. I so wish you’d been able to meet Tom in person, as Pete did, because nothing on the page could ever capture his essence. The heart and soul of our little Penguin-veteran circle has been ripped out. How apt for such a Lucio Fulci fan. Ah, God…
So sorry for your loss Matthew… So sad, beautiful words. Sending you much love, Sophie xxx
Thank you so much, my dearest cousin. It’s appropriate that Tenebrae is this week, because a great light has been extinguished from my life. Auntie Jean asks after you often, and we all hope that you folks are doing as well as can be expected nowadays. Movie Night is dead, and with it a big part of my soul.
Matthew, thanks for this great tribute which Gilbert sent me a link to! So glad I got to read it.
Alan (yours and Tom’s old Penguin colleague)
An honor to pay him tribute, Alan; thanks for reaching out.