Rod Clark: Man of Many Passions

Life of wisdom, voluminous and deep,
Giving and sharing, daring one and all.
Look to the unknown for answers to keep.

A passion for knowledge, what it could reap
In the days and years that pass eternal.
Life of wisdom, voluminous and deep.

A passion for cooking, baking, would heap
Bounties of food on the family table.
Look to the unknown for answers to keep.

A passion for crafts, hands that never sleep,
Creating shape and form that are central.
Life of wisdom, voluminous and deep.

A passion for art, the heart takes a leap
Into unknown space, the reverential,
Look to the unknown for answers to keep.

A passion for poetry, words that sweep
The universe for clues, a pivotal
Life of wisdom, voluminous and deep.

A passion for love, a heart that will weep
At the joy love is, to always enthrall.
Look to the unknown for answers to keep.

The mountain is hardy, rugged and steep,
A worthy passion for those who struggle.
Life of wisdom, voluminous and deep.
Look to the unknown for answers to keep.

Above photo: Rod Clark (Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University, Pacifica Poet Laureate, and friend for many years) was a featured reader at the 2010 Pacifica Poetry Festival when I snapped these photos. I had written this poem, of course, prior to the festival, in honor of him. This portrait is a composite of two photos I took of Rod's reading that afternoon.