John M. Ford: gone

But not ever going to be forgotten around here. Old friend, houseguest, fellow writer: we genuinely will not see his like again. Mike had the unique gift of making the people around him feel (and be) wittier, smarter, more creative than they usually were. So being in Mike's company left one in an unusual state of creative grace -- especially when (as in my case) I was nonetheless acutely aware that I would never, while still breathing anyway, be the effortless and subtle artist that this man was.

Ten years ago now, Mike was Guest of Honor at Boskone. They contacted me and asked, would I write something in his honor for the program book?

The honor was all mine, in being asked. This is what I wrote. Forgive me if I say:  today, it resonates a bit...

( 'The Next One' )