November 2, 2026

R has died. I knew him–what?– twenty years? Thinking of his beautiful yard in East Asheville, his absurd apparel, his roses, the painting I gave him in return for multiple kindnesses. He would arrive in my driveways with books for me to read and bulbs for me to plant. 

Filled the feeders and hung the seed logs for the winter birds. 

Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices may be the greatest piece of vocal music.