Nothing is lost if you know where it is.

• John T. Baker was a gentleman and a scholar, witty beyond compare. At the original P.O.E.M.S. Place forum, I assigned him the tagline "Poetical Thespianage," only to learn later that he had been both an FBI agent and an actor. That's just one example of the psychic connection we shared. He died on September 3, 2006. His words will continue to delight, even yet and beyond.


• John Pickersgill, a frequent contributor to the P.O.E.M.S. newsletter, was both wildly funny and endearingly humble. During our get-acquainted phase, I lavished so much praise on him that he asked me to send him a trowel for his 85th birthday. He died in 2005, and thoughts of him bring warm smiles, even yet.


• Jude Peet was loved across the boards -- I am only one of many who has been profoundly affected by her friendship. I made this site for her shortly before cancer took her physical presence from this world in 2004. When I revisit her poetry, I know beyond all doubt that she is with us even yet.


• Don Tidwell, a/k/a "Tater," was among the first and dearest of my cyberplaymates. Unfailing mentor, encourager, and confidant for seven years, his death in early 2003 marked the end of an era for me. But his friendship sustains me, even yet.


• Robert Kogan, another pillar of the P.O.E.M.S. family, died on my birthday in the summer of 2000. Robert may well be the most all-inclusively loving, nonjudgmental human being I have ever encountered, online or off. His poetry reflects that spirit, even yet.


• Ray Gessler's humble wisdom and gentle humor shone like a warm day on the family-by-choice known as P.O.E.M.S. Right up until his death in 1999, he exhibited an otherworldly knack for coming through with exactly the right words of encouragement when I was faltering, and if he did that for me I know he did it for others. Does, even yet.