Philip Seymour Hoffman at Joe's Pub reading parts from "Celebrity" issue for the Lapham's
Quarterly event on January 20, 2011. Photograph by Tatiana Pahlen.

“Death” & “Comedy” are Deadly
(Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman)
By Tatiana Pahlen

I ran into you a week ago
returning from the 92 Street “Y”
I dared to ask if you are going
On Monday to “Joe’s Pub,”
where I first met you as a performer
for “Lapham’s Quarterly” event,
paired with Alec Baldwin,
Mandy Patinkin, the issue
was called “Celebrity.”
It took place three years ago.
You said you’re leaving for Atlanta,
divulging you’ve read the recent books
“Death” and “Comedy” featured
At the splendid, latest LQ event!
We lost so many amazing talents
To drugs and alcohol;
I’ve noticed you’ve been a notch too hyper
So are most exclusive characters I’ve met.
I wish I knew your soul was troubled
I would have hugged you and uttered: “You are Great!”
The irony wins with the “Death of a Salesman!”
Who could ever overmatch that?

February 2, 2014

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