Studio8 - Uniting the Arts

Clay's sister messaged me and several of his friends this morning to let us know that last week he had a spontaneous break in his leg and was diagnosed with bone cancer.

He's been in a tremendous amount of pain despite the pain medications, she said, and is not expected to survive but another couple of days.

I write this news to you with a heavy heart.

I wanted to let you all know since many of you have been so supportive of Clay's work through the years and also caring friends. I know you have meant a great deal to him! Thank you for being his friend.

-Doreen

"my brother and I watched a friend of ours die as we tried not to look too uptight"

I always know where to find clay, yes I am sad but I still have him here on studio eight. Clay will always be the chief cook and bottle washer for me here on Studio Eight. He will still be my mentor for style.

That makes the news easier for me to bear...

a song my brother wrote about the death of one of our friends

Up Is My Natural State of Mind

Sorry Doreen, take care

Maybe the worst news for me is that I got nothing for him except to remain a fan of his work, a cyber pal of the poet's eye

Pips, I did not want any more Clay, but I honor your work, so I guess I got to go back and see if I can pick that thread up again.

Here I am stuck in San Antone and I can't bring you anything you might need. Gives me the blues.

Doreen, & Lightning Rod's sister,
I am really sorry to hear that Lightning Rod is on death's door. Around here, when he's
passed, it will seem like a death in the family. ...

L-Rod, you are such a vibrant soul, & your works
& music will live on in our memories...

I'll still remember you from way back in 2004, when I first posted on the Litkicks site.

I am so sorry..his writing lives on here with us all...

Here's a quote I'd like to share for all those who know Lightning Rod:

From THE PROPHET, p. 61, by Kahlil Gibran’
Excerpt from “…Speak of Talking”:

“When you meet your friend on the road-
side or in the market place, let the spirit in
you move your lips and direct your tongue.
Let the voice within your voice speak to
The ear of his ear;
For his soul will keep the truth of your
heart as the taste of the wine is remembered
When the colour is forgotten and the
vessel is no more.”

Clay's friend Kelly is there visiting him right now. He called me a few minutes ago to put the phone up to Clay's ear.

I told Clay I loved him and how special he was to me in my life and how i'd always love him. He tried to speak using the electronic device. I heard him try to speak.

Kelly said his eyes lit up when he heard my voice. That's special to me.

I also spoke with his sister. She said he knows it's his time to go and he's ready and wants to go soon. He wants to be out of pain.

Thank you all for your comments and for being his friend.

xoxoxo

I can't stop crying. I wish i was there.. I AM there ... but I'm not.. But I am.

I hope there are angels in his house.

Thank you for all of your words, Clay. This is sad news tonight.

so sad news ...

I´ll light a candle for him and for all of us (personally I´m still rebellious with the death fact in general and specially concerning with loved ones - & specially cancer related ends-, surely I still have issues with life myself, I know ... )

She said he knows it's his time to go and he's ready and wants to go soon. He wants to be out of pain.... that´s good..., may you have a good travel, l-rod. Gracias for being a friend, sharp poet...!!!!!!

a big hug to you, doreen, well said...!

A Noiseless Patient Spider
Walt Whitman

A noiseless, patient spider,
I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;
Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;
Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,—seeking the spheres, to connect them;
Till the bridge you will need, be form’d—till the ductile anchor hold;
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.

I pray you don't, but if ya do, please save a seat for me

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

Image Source

we are still on this side of the arrow of time
I treasure this time
till next time we meet

hurry hurry for the Janna Express
the best guess is it never really ends

we are the children of sun light

Any word on the situation?

L-rod we love ya.

holding breath
breathing slowly
sending wishes for an ease off this plane

No news yet other than being told by 3 people who visited him (one being Troll who saw him yesterday) that it's best if I don't go there to see him suffering. He's lingering... in pain... often unresponsive... not much left now... he's in process of moving on.

Celebrate his life, his music, his poetry, his essays, his spirit, his humor, and all he gave to so many!