We lost our brother Chris on January 21, 2013, to gun violence. It is unknown if his shooting death was random, or a mistaken identity, because he didn’t have an enemy in the world. Chris was a brilliant keyboard musician, who also did lights and sound for major acts around Detroit. He was a truly good person, a great brother, uncle, son, and foster dad. This poem so represents him:
Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live?
Not, how did he die, but how did he live?
Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of his birth.
Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away?