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Ode to a Lost Friend

If You Know, You Know

By Dana CrandellPublished a day ago 1 min read
Top Story - April 2026
Ode to a Lost Friend
Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

Vocal feels a bit empty today.

There's a hole where your words should be.

And still so much left for you to say,

But you're no longer here – you're free.

*

I'll miss the banter, the quips and your wit

And the “older guy” references, too.

And the way we two geezers did not give a shit

What those arrogant kids in here do.

*

I'll read your emails when I need a laugh

Just to chuckle at your “schtick art”.

I can't think of a much better epitaph

For a fellow grumpy old fart.

*

I'll keep on keepin' on, here in this space

'Longside others who wish you the best.

Don't fret about us, bud, we'll keep the pace,

While you get some well-deserved rest.

***

ElegyFriendshipGratitudeOde

About the Creator

Dana Crandell

Dad, Stepdad, Grandpa, Husband, lover of Nature and dogs.

Poet, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist

My poetry collection: Life, Love & Ludicrosity

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The Upland Soul

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Comments (23)

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  • Queen fabout 2 hours ago

    Love your content.

  • Lightning Bolt ⚡about 7 hours ago

    I didn't know until just now. This is a beautiful tribute, Dana. I can't remember in all my days learning about someone's passing through a poem. His Immortal Soul Lives On.

  • Sandy Gillmanabout 13 hours ago

    Such a beautiful tribute to Jay. Thanks for writing this :-)

  • Lamar Wigginsabout 15 hours ago

    🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Thank you so much, Dana. I appreciate your words here. It's amazing how people we never met in real life before can still have an impact on us. Feels like I've known, -J bro for years. He will be missed for sure. God Bless us all.

  • Cali Loriaabout 19 hours ago

    This is a very heavy vocal day. Thank you for writing this and sharing so that even a small stranger can say a little prayer through a doodle.

  • Paul Stewartabout 20 hours ago

    I only knew him from comments and his funny anecdotes and sketches. He was lovely and loved from what I can tell and know though and you paid him the utmost respect with a poem worthy of his kindness and wit. Beautiful work, Dana my friend and congrats too on Top Story. I feel there may have been a riot if it had not been awarded as such.

  • 🎊 Congratulations on your Top Story With J 🤍🤍🤍 🕊 🕊 🕊

  • Kelli Sheckler-Amsdenabout 20 hours ago

    OMGSH! I had no idea

  • Doc Sherwoodabout 24 hours ago

    We'll never forget J-Bud! Your tribute is exactly like him, Doc Dana: witty, plain-speaking, and it tells the truth. In other words, it captures the great man perfectly!

  • Cathy holmesabout 24 hours ago

    Oh my goodness. I had no idea. May her rest in peace. And as others have said, beautiful tribute. Well done, my friend.

  • I didn’t know Jay, but this makes me remember another death in the Vocal community. What we write can keep reverberating even when our souls have lost their connection to Earth.

  • May Jay rest in peace ! I love his comments on my story! He will never be forgotten 💕🌹

  • A fitting tribute. I'm going to miss him. He was a presence. His art, his unique writing style, his teasing. It's going to be a little less on Vocal from here on in.

  • Grz Colma day ago

    Lovely little tribute Dana. Sorry to hear.

  • Just reading the poem, I know who you are talking about. J-Bud. Such a joy who will be missed. Everyday we have is a blessing. So sorry to hear. Blessings Dana.

  • Novel Allena day ago

    Oh. I missed the story. What happened. So sorry to hear of this. Such a beautiful tribute. Unique is not enough to describe JK. What a great loss, but he is free, now gaining his angel writing wings. Sorry Dana. 🪗🎻🎼🎶Peace Jay. I know you will still be watching over us.

  • I think he would have loved this :) A big loss for this community. What a wonderful way to honor a friend :) Thank you BB!!

  • So sad for this deep loss for our writing community brother

  • Thank you for this, Dana! You said everything so perfectly and honored him well with this piece, and made me laugh, which was much needed. Such an amazing tribute! YOU are a Vocal treasure, friend! {more hearts inserted here:)}

  • Misty Raea day ago

    A beautiful tribute to Jay. I shall.miss his insightful comments on my stories, some of which were more thought provoking than what I'd originally written .

  • This is a wonderful tribute to Jay. May his soul rest in peace ❤️

  • Beautiful ❤️‍🩹 🥹R.I.P 🕊 🕊 🕊

  • Thank you so very much- jk

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