Daniel Thompson Memorial Service @ Church of the Covenant 5/10 The small sample of people that Daniel Thompson touched was a preacher’s envy that packed the Church of the Covenant, Monday, as they came to pay respects to the late Cuyahoga County Poet Laureate. The crowd was a who’s who of poets and activists with a smattering of former homeless or recovered substance abusers, all who owe a debt of gratitude to the man who was called “a great servant of the people around him.” The aged former hippies sat with the middle-aged activists along with the young inspired poets as they listened to those who were fortunate enough to closely share their life with Daniel, even if that meant going to jail with him.

A young man who brought his family to the service, answered his son’s curiosity by replying with great reverence, “He’s a poet.” Dedicated to the power of words and always looking to celebrate those Clevelanders that excelled in shaping them, Daniel hoped to have the water fountains downtown named for poets like Hart Crane, Langston Hughes, and d.a. levy. We now can add to that list Daniel Thompson. Dressed in his favorite sock hat and denims, sporting an anti-Chief Wahoo “No mascot, People” button, never to let go of his freedom of speech, even in death, Thompson seemed to be presiding over the activities as he lay in state. You may have even thought you saw him smirk as a close friend points out that he left at age 69, like it was his last silly joke. Close friends, childhood buddies, and, of course, his overworked lawyer spoke of anecdotes and incidents that portrayed the character of this big bearded force of nature.

Never shy to speak his art or to distribute his words like a virus through the population, he hoped that, like Mwatabu Okantah remarked at last month’s Classic Cleveland poetry slam, “People should try to live like poems.” Daniel’s belief in the beauty of the downtrodden had him create the community bail bond service and had him regularly contribute his words to the homeless grapevine. He collected bakeries’ unsold bread and cakes at the end of the day and distributed them to those that this would be their only meal of the day. Not only did he magnificently talk the talk, he was magnificent in walking the talk as well. Daniel held that sincerity for thirty-five years and proved that that form of leadership is what truly builds community; a lesson lost by the absent politicians, but not on the multitude gathered that day.

Held aloft in that holy space by the love brought by the community he built, beautiful phrase followed beautiful phrase, crafted by masters, inspired by Daniel, and spoken and sung for Daniel by the many admirers. The words danced about our heads as some sobbed and others smiled as they recalled how Daniel affected them. Never seen before in Cleveland was a more fitting tribute that was truly a celebration of a life dedicated to the city he loved, both a farewell and a continuation. Or as said in the eulogy, “… the words and the silence…and the words and the silence…. and the words…” from Cool Cleveland Contributor, poet wannabe, and admirer of D.T., Steve Goldberg steveg@ieee.org (:divend:)