Preparing to Celebrate the Life of David Barber

Prepping for a trip back home.

To my old haunts where my dancer did roam.

Back to the memories from so long ago.

Seems like another life … that had so much to show.

Celebrating the life of another friend that has gone.

I know many others will follow before too long.

We are all at that age where we begin to slip away.

And so, every moment that we can celebrate another day.

Is one where we can come together and remember the joys.

All the silliness of youth and all the playful ploys.

Ah, the smiles we shared and the beauty we generated.
Here’s to all those who participated and generously created.

I am happy to hear how many are coming to remember David Barber and those days.

Such a dear man who could create gorgeous environments in so many ways.

You see, he designed all the backdrops and scenes.
For ballets from the Swan Lakes to the Balanchine’s.

David Barber was a very kind soul.

Sweet, sincere, and patiently bold.

He was the one that could quietly draw another world from his mind.

Then construct it to enhance the sublime.

We danced in his worlds that set the mood and tone.
He made the templates where swans swam, and royalty was enthroned.

I will never forget his deep heart.

His smile was always there … right from the start.

May his soul continue to paint the skies.

Up in heaven where God resides.

I am sure Heaven’s skies have been painted anew.
And swans and princes have greeted him with his new crew.
All too soon we will meet again.

And then I will see him sitting quietly with his pen.

Preparing that new reality into which we will climb.
As the lights go dim and as the bells will chime.

Because the audience is always waiting to see what comes next.

They want to be awed by what will be David’s next effects.
And we will all be there, in sparkling tutus and excited eyes.

With elegant lines, spins, and leaps that surprise.

As he bends our world into a new form.
And we become an outlaw or a snowstorm.
May he be smiling now from up above.

As we release his spirit, and we mourn this dove.
~Suzanne Wagner~