Prose: Of Carlos Garver.

    

Birth:	Jan. 24, 1956
Death:	Mar. 5, 1988 New Mexico, USA
At about 0355 hours (3:55 a.m.), Mr. Richard Thomas was enroute to work and noticed a fire behind the pharmacy at 2132 Central SE and a subject laying unconscious in the alley near the fire. Garver was severely burned and pronounced dead at the scene. Subsequent investigation showed signs of an accelerant in Garver's clothes. Mother: Alice, born in Toledo OH, artist Father: Jack, married 1946, abstract artist, studied with Raymond Jonson, born in Larned Kansas. d 1987 (1)

starman/window to all souls one a.m.  i'm done reading now I will do some writing i am thinking about Carlos "Ragman" Garver.  you see,  i used to watch ASH staff   move past patients in a cafe' patients who had been waiting in a line these ASH staff would do this as if we were made of wood and i said one time:     hey what are you doing?    we are here, you know-     we are here.  you see,  i always related to how that must feel nobody willing to look to you nobody willing to be near you people moving far across the given street, and you, you are  my alley jazz cat reminder. i saw it all as singing a crazy tune in a mad mad world and never counting it as something, in fact;  it wasn't a lonely neighborhood even in 1988  I don't believe it was ever found out who had done it to    Carlos Garver     "skinheads" was one rumor "wandering skinheads"     those same who'd been busting up the punk shows           downtown on a night when the temperatures     would still have been cold.     albuquerque in the early spring is my hometown, too times like this.  i see you in this place, and  i have been in your alley    Garver in this sense  i think of one place more than others  but they are all significant as if basement like underbellies where all things die alone therein as personal as it gets so so alone. Smoke inhalation and 3rd degree burns on half of the body his bedding had burned around him and there was evidence of fuel possibly kerosene and therein the theory that he was murdered while together we recall him yelling  there outside of the Frontier restaurant (who doesn't?)    (Hey did ya' hear?)     Ragman is dead. i saw another man once sleeping this would have been after you died, Carlos and a police officer goaded that man  with the toe of his police officer boot to which the man was up and moving about his business:            "No talking! and all act-shun! Oceansize!!!" (2) sometimes I would see or hear a son of artists  in alleys round there all boxes glass and forlorn cats   (where skinheads roam?     or is it where humanity wonders about itself             one tragedy at a rusty time?) and you bet I was nervous about it    (as i crossed that street with all the others)  i was nervous because i somehow saw his point i somehow saw myself there a-wandering i have been so so so alone in my  rusty heaven-earth sort of theme park...    Sesame Street kids were always happy for Carlos!    He lives as he sees fit!    High adventure in the great outdoors, and then:    He died doing what he could!    Berating the common folk with their steeled eyes          Carrying his flag      His well earned Freak Flag              Starman! i see you in the wisdom flag i see you in all stars i see you by libraries on malls howling a prayer song to: Ruby Fish       with her golden eye shadow Frankee (3)        pushing for change Ernesto Madrid (4)        with the talking tongues of                 his shoes. One teacher I already look back to... once I grow old.                                                        (PJ Reed 2013)

notes:
    - (1) Obituary (Carlos Garver), Albuquerque Journal
            March 07-12, 1988
    - (2) Perry Farrel/Jane's Addiction
            "Oceansize" (Nothing's Shocking 1988)

paoloreed@gmail.com