Casper Banjo's Homegoing

The mortuary was full and when I arrived Safi was singing--I hadn't known she could sing. Lee Williams had escaped from the Veteran's Hospital in Martinez and Malik Seneferu spoke next. I was overwhelmed. Luckily I had something to do--I pulled out my camera and began to videotape the service for Akili. Casper's paintings and prints decorated the space near the altar--his body draped with the American flag. He had on his hat and by his side there was a brick. The analogy of bricks is so rich with sturdy possibilities. After the service we went over to the Prescott-Joseph Center for the repast. It was an opportunity to talk to people I hadn't seen in a while and to meet others like Ms. Frances Dunham Catlett, an artist who will be 100 years old next month. I wanted to hear more Casper stories. The room was full of them; Marilyn was wrong--there was a lot more to be said, time was just short and we had to leave the venue and move along...Casper's body there in the place alone.