Lost in genius and manic.
Driven mad by the music.
Never letting go of your gift,
But abusing it.

Because it was better.
It was richer.
It was all consuming
And it devoured you.

Finding a superior drive within.
Harnessing the demons’ din.
The world’s greatest player,
Pouring out your soul like water.

Because it was freer.
It rang truer.
It was your world
And it devoured you.

Dead now and still not in peace.
You couldn’t find the inner balance.
Greatness gone sour
While you played the final hour.

Because it was over.
It became your controller.
It was the music and madness
Insidiously devouring you.

Because it was better.
It was richer.
It was all consuming
And it devoured you.

Because it was freer.
It rang truer.
It was your world
And it devoured you.

Because it is over.
It became your controller.
It was the music and madness
Insidiously devouring you.

– For a man I had never heard of, Jaco Pastorius,
and the gifts of life.