a friend forever

my hand still smelled of jasmine when we were sitting at the bar after the concert.

"you are magic" i told him. "we are all magic", he said.

how interesting to be a participant in the world instead of just an observer. extra tickets in our pockets admitted two to our evening. mona and james, who just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary, and whose names were on the programme as volunteer ushers at the al ringling theater. a beautiful pair who explained that the seven carved faces on the facade over the stage represented the 7 ringling brothers. and that the dressing rooms were under the stage. they told us where the organ pipes were, and how they regretted we wouldn't hear the organ this night as the organist had another party to attend.

there was no warm up act or loud introductions. the lights dimmed quietly and he just appeared in a beautiful grey tunic and trousers, took up his guitar, and began to talk with us. his voice washed over the room like sliding into a cool lake on a hot day. the cellist to his left was an angel in her own right. he sang and he played and he got to know us. freedom. freedom. freedom.

we were second in line to meet him. the crowd parted as he floated through, in a crisp, fresh suit and smelling of jasmine. his neck and fingers were draped in layers of shiny sterling, turquoise and jade, and he slid behind the table and started signing. his smile filled the room and his gracious spirit touched us all.

my turn. no, i don't need you to sign a cd - will you sign my shirt? of course he would. he set his pen to my left shoulder and asked my name, and in a graceful cursive sweep composed a simple message. he paused for a moment to reposition his hand so that his palm wouldn't brush up against something it shouldn't, although i assured him it would be fine with me if it did. i shook his hand - soft and strong and perfectly oiled with jasmine - the same hand that had smacked the beat from his guitar a few minutes ago. the same hand that had brought the music. i kissed him on the cheek.

"to linda, a friend forever. Richie Havens."