Quietly fighting against his demise
With a flamboyant style, so precise
The virtuoso penned lyrics quite literate
His depth of contemplation being quite considerate

Between Ayn Rand and a science fiction confluence
Neil Peart never sold out in being an influence
Standing strong as our musical hero of the hour
Fighting against the corporate beast that devours

Choosing always to fight and never compromise
His battle was one of a hero who would always surprise
Never one to stop believing in asserting complexity
He lived his life every inch in complete integrity

Eight bars pushed to the limits of creativity
Pursuing ideas explored in their potentiality
He was a master of drumming with technical proficiency
But, it’s for his lyrics, I will keep his memory

Somehow closer to my heart and to all our hearts
Each of us cast in unlikely roles, we play our parts
And that part now is to mourn this good man’s death
Who lived his life until his very last breath

God speed to him as he has found his way home
And I like a boy on a rooftop quite alone
Find that the more that things change
That, indeed, these things have stayed the same

I shed humble tears in quiet musical gratitude
For the inspiration given in great magnitude
A blessing in every note and word in syncopation
Neil Pert, to me, will always be a great inspiration

(c) January 10, 2020 Michael Romani
All Rights waived for anyone who cares to share

Neil Pert (September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020) RIP