EP and I have lost a good friend

[Ron Wallace (Scotshawk)]

Earlier today Dennis Cook's aunt called me with the news that Dennis has escaped this realm and made way for the next. He was such a good guy; I'll miss our conversations. He was working on putting a book together, but cancer and heart problems were working against him. He had fluid build up against his heart and had just been given treatment, went in to rest and never woke up. I am heart broken. His body will rest in Mission, Texas near the little town where he lived above the Rio Grande. If anyone wishes to send a floral memorial, my wife Jane will be contacting the funeral home tomorrow. You can call her 1-800-804-0502 at Brantley's Flowers and Gifts, and she’ll help you with anything you’d like to send or get the name of the funeral home for you if you’d rather take care of it yourself.
We talked about his health battles often and he was always as positive and upbeat as he could be. He loved to sit and watch the sunrise from his front porch. I'm reposting a poem I wrote for him last year after a serious battle with cancer and our long conversation about what mattered in this life, family, friends, poetry, sunrises, cold beer and good home cooking.

[Jo Lynn Ehnes]

Thank you for sharing that, Ron. I'll be in touch with Jane tomorrow. Dennis was a dear man and will be missed by this friend.

[David Nelson Bradsher]

I'm very sad to hear this, Ron. Dennis was a long-standing and treasured member of the EP family. He will be greatly missed.

David

[GD Martin]

Ron,
Would you please post one of your favorite poems that Dennis had written, that might be in the EP library? Thank you. _GD

The following poem written by Dennis Cook was posted in EP on Dec. 13, 2007:

The Pearl


The pearl,

gem of the sea.

Man's undeserving gift.

Formed from the nacre of shellfish,

ending a life to become what it is.

Adored for its natural charm.

A spherical jewel,

so exquisite,

The pearl.




rictameter form

[Tina (Firefly)]

I am deeply saddened to learn that Dennis is no longer among us..though I know his spiritual influence will always be a part of EP. This poet knew how to live and how to fight the good fight. Ron, I am especially hurting for you, dear friend, as you have lost two very dear Dennis friends this year and I can only imagine how tough that must be. My condolences to all of Dennis' family and friends. Poetry is our legacy. Tina

[wavemaker9 (Rick D.)]

I don't know what to say. He was such an integral part of our mix and motion since I've been here, I will miss him. Ron...my friend, with you as his friend he had comfort and a vital connection to what he'll find across the bridge.
Rick

[Ken_Nye]

The last time I talked on the phone with Dennis (about Christmas time), I feared that news sof this sort wasn't very far away. Although he was always up-beat about his medicall problems, when we talked in December I sensed that he seemed to think he didn't have much time. That was why he called, I think --just wanted to talk to me because we hadn't' talked for quite a while. I never met Dennis, but he described himself as a big hulking truck driver. I envisioned him as a big man with a ready smile, easy going and concerned for orhers. This concern for others is how Dennis and I got to know each other. I'm going to tell you guys a story about Dennis ,but I need to check with somebody else first. ( I should be back tomorrow with the story.)

I have no doubt that our big hulk of a truck driver has already found a nice spot on the edge of a raavine where he can watch the foxes and coyotes and turkeys come and go. (I wonder how many truck drivers are into writing poetry.)

Ken

I will miss knowing thathe's just a phone call away .

[Vasile Baghiu]

Such sad news… We have lost a friend. Dennis was a good man, a special poet and a friend. He helped me when I was in difficulties a few years ago. I will never forget his gesture. He also encouraged me to write poems in English when I begun to write here on EP. I have been privileged to change many e-mails with him, which were never like regular e-mails, but rather like classical letters. He wanted to visit me here in Romania, simply to have a coffee together. He could not because of the health problems. One day, a few months ago, we succeeded to talk to each other through Mess Voice though, and it was like having that coffee, as he said. I will miss him very much! Condolences to his wife and to all his family and friends! I am with them all in my thoughts and prayers.

Vasile