Happy Birthday Bill

    I was thinking of you Bill when a cardinal landed at my feet.

   A woman nearby said it was a sign from someone no longer here. It startled me, and not because of what she said, but that it always feels as if you’ve never gone anywhere.

   When they say you were ahead of your time I think is the reason. It’s finally caught up with you, perhaps not in body, but in spirit and soul.

    How I wished you could have railed in your imitable way about the presidential election, what you would have said about how suddenly character in a leader no longer matters; for a southern man like you nothing rivaling its importance.

    Your own character shined brightly. You were fearless in your honesty speaking from the heart even when it caused heads to roll.

    I recall a woman getting upset when you said, why would Jesus want to come back when we were still wearing crosses?

   She only felt the snap without seeing your point.

   Most people listened like you were a prophet; considering your short time on earth you very well may have been.

   Even after so many years, anger still pays a call thinking of why God took you when there were so many who couldn’t shine your shoes; not as smart, not as nice or generous.

   Unless they knew you, people assumed you were rude and unapproachable.

  How could you not be with such bravado.

  So not true. I never saw you be anything but gracious to anyone, even that self-righteous Christian who said you were headed straight to hell. You laughed and said, “Actually ma’am, I’m on my way to the men’s room.”

   Oh Willy, perhaps that cardinal was relaying a message. Next time could you please ask him to wear a leather jacket and a pair’a boots?

       Happy Birthday Bill…

  from the deepest place of my heart, I will miss you always. 

       Love, Susannah

  Bill Hicks would have been 63 years-old today.   

              (1961-1994)