Quarantine - Day 23

AP Photo

Tonight John Prine died. He was a quiet man. He was a songwriter who made other songwriters want to write songs. His were so good, and so simply done that many would think they could sit down and write a John Prine song, then they would spend the next 30 years or so trying only to realize they weren’t John Prine. It is one thing to feel a sense of loss for someone who is a legend and an artist and express admiration for work they did back in their prime, but Prine’s prime was now. He had released his first studio album in thirteen years Tree of Forgiveness in 2018 and gone and done a big tour. He never stopped getting better really. The songs were classic stuff, just like all his records. He still had gas in the tank, a bunch of great tunes, and a his celebrated sense of humor. From Nashville to Hong Kong he could walk into any music venue and he was what he had always been throughout his career, the best songwriter in the room. He could make you smile and hurt at the same time, and within the same line. You would get distracted by his aww shucks charm, then he would hit you with a line that would surprise you with its imagery, it’s cleverness, and it’s honesty. He’s not around anymore, but this virus still is, and that’s not really fair.

Oodles of light what a beautiful sight 

Both of God's eyes are shining tonight 

Rays and beams of incredible dreams 

And I am a quiet man.