Memorials for Poet Larry Sawyer

Friends, poets, loved ones:

On February 28, Larry Sawyer, a bold, bright star in our lives, crossed over.

A truly unique soul, he was fully human—an authentic individual, steadfast in his love of poetry, and embodied art, music, culture, politics, religion. He was driven by life’s unknown. He was sensitive to injustices in the world. He was intellectually curious, and a deeply kind and caring creature. He was a philosopher, one who fiercely believed in truth.

Larry and I journeyed together for 25 years, and I treasured every moment, grateful and in awe of his strength, his resolve, his commitment to living life by following his own path. He was witty and wild, his own person, a gentle spirit with so much inside him to share.

Generous to many poets over the years, he enjoyed the art of it, the expanse of it, he immersed himself in poetry, in jazz, in art. Everything he did, he did with his whole heart.

His prolific writing, perspectives, thoughts, words—his existence in its entirety profoundly changed me and my world. And he touched so many in our vast circle of writerly friends and comrades.

My love for him is boundless. He is still with me and within all of us.

Please help me raise funds to have three proper memorials for Larry in the places he lived and thrived: Chicago, Fairborn, and Toronto.