TRIBUTE TO DR. GEORGE BLAKE (1922 - 2018)

"By The Bayou" 
Music and Lyric by Mimi Snider 
Aug 28 2010 © 

A pantoum put to music. (The modern pantoum is a poem of any length, composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza). 

Who’s the one who’s trying to reach me through these words 
Giving inspiration so your voice is heard 
No. I am not the one with wisdom to proclaim 
You’re the One, the One without a name. 

Giving inspiration so your voice is heard 
Through this pen the ink flows forming all your words 
You’re the one, the One without a name 
You’re the One who frees us from our strain 

“If you’re feeling helpless 
To do anything at all 
Just pray for love to come 
And we will meet 
In spirit time” 

By the Bayou, Bayou Bayou, Bayou, Bayou, Bayou 
By the Bayou, Bayou, Bayou, Bayou, Bayou, Bayou 

Through this pen the ink flows forming all your words 
Songbirds flying, reaching out towards the world 
You’re the one who frees us from our strain 
Reminding us our prayers can break these chains 

Songbirds flying, reaching out towards the world 
Out beyond with promises to soon return 
Reminding us our prayers can break these chains 
Returning to us ancient chants to cleanse the acid from the rain 

“If you’re feeling helpless 
To do anything at all 
Just pray for love to come 
And we will meet 
In spirit time” 

By the Bayou...

Here is a link to George's book "Bypassing Ego: The Buddhist Way" that he completed 6 years ago when he was 89. lulu.com/shop/b-george-blake/bypassing-ego-the-buddhist-way/paperback/product-20485157.html  

All photos by Douglas Beder Photography.©