Up late restless..a week ago it was my birthday ...another sad one I lost my best friend barbosa prince the artist ,my consigliere..mr brother to pancreatic cancer the day before..As we prepare to meet up next week for his memorial I decided to take some mushroom caps in order to get my thoughts together and digest this loss to my community Ashe has made his transition..
I know exactly when we met not because I remember it was barbosa that recalled the moment at the salty nipple a little bar that hosted folks at a pirate radio station here in Oakland over 20 years ago ..he was a artist and could recall any image and put it on canvas whenever he wished ..a magician ..we came friends over the years and he stood by my side many times as I was hauled off to jail or recovering from a street brawl ..he trained my German Shepard Smokey when I needed help making the pack stay in order that’s what he would say...he helped me find my way when I was lost..
At one point recovering from a near death thing I told him I could not draw ,paint or even film anymore ..he said tony you are better tan a artist you are the Bay Area illuminater.. and when you show up you illuminate the room with your energy ..at that point I felt like I was knighted..even though I did have a strong profile here in the bay .. we were solid
Over a year ago he was given only 90 days to live..he made me swear not to tell anyone about his situation as he presented me with a sword ..one of his most valued possessions owned by his family for many years..we would enjoy the time left at his art parlor..my hq or most of the time my farm..he loved it here ..we would hang and sometime he insisted on helping me manicure my buds for hours ..we would tell stories as my two dogs Smokey and Nikolai would be at our feet ..things were about to end and they did but his alast visit he showed up at night ..we ate a few tamales he had brought from Texas and Sylvie our mutual friend joined us ,,he helped me load up this cool pellet gun I had bought him for Xmas ..he loaded it and I was nervous warning him to be careful not to shoot the tv or the dogs..it was dark out and I kinda knew barbosa might never return so I told him to shoot the gun into my laundry pile nearby..he did twice..now I will wear my torn and hole shirts they were blessed by my friend the magician..farewell my brother I will have other birthdays but I will never have another friend like you..see you on the other side for now I will illuminate high another hole in my shirt and in my heart..rest. In peace barbosa prince
