RIP Jim Carroll

Sad news today that Jim Carroll passed away. He's best known, by most, for the song "People Who Died" and as the writer of The Basketball Diaries.

Carroll was an significant figure in my life. His book of free-verse poetry, Fear of Dreaming, influenced me greatly as a writer.

Although those who read this site, or have seen my work in other publications, have never been exposed to my poetry (because I keep it extremely close the vest) his style and format proved to me that I didn't have to follow the "rules" of writing.

Jim Carroll, dead at 59, RIP.

Below is one of the poems that I read so much I still had it marked with part of a gas bill from 11 years ago. I've re-typed it as published. What a loss.






"Love Story"
by Jim Carroll

The penalty for desertion
is death by a firing squad.

I'm saving you this trouble

enclosed is s pistol.
loaded with only one bullet.
squeeze the trigger once
perhaps nothing will happen.

but squeeze a second time . . .
a third . . .                      You see

I know the games you love