The world is a poorer place. I was just checking the news wires and found an obit for Shel Silverstein, who was found dead in his Key West digs Monday. He was 66.

For the two or three of you who may not know Shel under one of his many hats, the was a person who brought joy to millions, even if some of them never knew he was the source.

Shel started as a writer and cartoonist for Playboy in 1952 when — despite what many of us think of that whole scene now — was at the time the home of some of the best talents in the land.

Shel went on to write hundreds of songs -- mostly with a humorous twist such as The Unicorn, A Boy Named Sue, The Jogger, Waitin' for Liz, and, from the DT, Beans Taste Fine. He also wrote one of the finest prison songs I've ever heard -- Back Home In Huntsville Again, recorded by his friend Bobby Bare.

But Shel's talents also ran to poetry, first for adults and then for children, almost all of it first-class stuff.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I knew there would be people in this community who would want to know.

If I were religious, he's a man I would say a prayer for. I'm not, but I'll at least keep his memory alive because of his work that has always given me such pleasure.

ddw