Chris Cornell: A Poetic Tribute

December is naturally a time of reflection. We are reminded of the past year’s burdens and beauty, pain and progression. And, oftentimes we focus on the unfinished.

As I internally summarize and come to terms with 2017, one thing remains…the incredible pain and loss from the passing of Chris Cornell.

There have been many calls to action for tributes to Chris, though I could never find the words to describe the loss and confusion I felt over his death. Confusion that was two fold - how could this happen to him and why does this affect me so deeply? 

I've often been asked, “Why are you so upset? It’s not like you knew him.” 

While this is true, you don't need to personally know someone for them to have a profound effect on you. I know that the love, loyalty and appreciation I feel for him is genuine. 

After recently watching this powerful, poignant Chris Cornell tribute video by Jake Bowen, I was inspired to create something for Chris as well, the way he created for others. Here is a poem I wrote for him. 

the wake of mourning



buzzing 
13 minutes before my alarm

the message…

No!

disoriented with disbelief

eyes blurry from morning 

stiff fingers type

the unthinkable

chris cornell  dead

headlines flow like a flood
Grunge Star Dead at 52

       Soundgarden 

Frontman

       Audioslave
Artist 
       Chris Cornell

I drown in dread of reality

sickness swirls in stomach 

sadness swells within 

No!

voice raspy and desperate

cries 

unrecognizable and uncontrollable 

social channels confirm

glorious pictures and grim captions 

stream steady 

unending unsatisfied 

force-feeding submission

RIP Chris Cornell

  this can’t be true

No one sings like you anymore

or ever will 

your eyes even more glorious now

translucent and telling

pure and kind

hair the color of bark

curls like the softness of spring 

this can't be the end

I meant to see you

again

tour plans 

setlist dreams

living the songs 

of youth

your rock and roll

your hall of fame

your future

your…

voice

romancing my soul

riffs of fire

rich and raw

rough edges

silky core

refined but not contained

the essence of God energy

filling rooms of fans 

you made equal

lyrics like

flutters of fresh love

honest hope

never denying the grip of darkness 

and its goal to mirror-image 

you claimed me with your art

substance of connection 

a heart vibration

of nostalgia 

and new

forward words

chords to loosen

tensions of life 

tapping into realms of hurt

dimensions of dread

kept hidden

even from myself

I was never alone

though we’ve not met

you were a friend

in times of trouble

a leader in community

questioning reason

flirting with freeness of spirit

guarding the miracle of creativity 

and inspiring it

oneness 

fierce but frightened 

brave but buried

heavy but enlightened

like magnets we remain 

drawn to you

we share the same

an artist’s soul

an insatiable desire to create

communicate 

to be heard

understood

to understand

beyond the deep dimensions 

that separate us now 

dear Chris Cornell 

we harken with honor

to your art

your soul teller 

your spirit spark

photo credit: Paul Lorkowski

Feel free to share any great Chris memory or memory of an artist lost in the comments below. Would love to hear about them! xo Monica