Although new to this site, I've spent a lot of time today reading posts about and from Mr. Bryant. I have been sitting here at my work computer laughing and crying in turns- mostly laughing.

I send my deepest condolences to Linda, Peter and all who loved and were connected with such a dear funny, talented and lively man. The world needs more like him and I am very, very sorry to have missed a chance to meet this force of nature.



Funeral Blues
W.H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.