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Tribute to George Goodman–Amy Goodman’s Father

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    George Goodman, Amy’s father, died on October 27 at 70 years old. Goodman too hosted a news roundtable, as part of a senior education program. A physician, husband and father, he inspired many including his daughter to social participation. Goodman favored Yip Harburg poetry. Below is one of Harburg’s poems read by Amy Goodman plus a poem selected by her.

    Untitled
    Author Unknown
    Do not stand at my grave and weep.
    I am not there.
    I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on snow.
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning s hush,
    I am the swift uplifting rush,
    of quiet birds in circling flight.
    I am the soft star that shines at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry.
    I am not there.
    I did not die.

    Time You Old Gypsy Man
    by Yip Harburg
    Time you old gypsy man
    Thief on the wing
    Drugged me with rhapsodies
    Tricked me with Spring

    Fiddled me off my feet
    Danced me on air
    Sprinkled my daydreams with golddust
    Then silvered my hair

    Silvered my hair you rogue
    Crinkled my eyes
    Whistled the bird of youth
    Out of my skies

    Time you old vagabond
    Riddle me this
    What did you do with forever and ever
    That sealed every kiss?

    Then you packed up your tambourines
    Stilled your guitars
    Slipped off into the night
    Turned off the stars

    Took away song and spring
    Robbed me of rhyme
    Fled in your carnival caravan
    But you old gypsy man-
    Thanks for a glorious time.

    The withdrawal of song and spring and rhyme in the final stanza clearly means nothing less than the taking away of life itself.

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