I wish I could actually convey some sense of what the tribute to Steve Sauve was like tonight, but I don't think anything would do it justice. I was reminded of a psychiatrist friend of mine, on another occasion, commenting on not being used to seeing so much healthy emotion in one place. As Kevin Matthews (who hosted with grace) said, the spoken word community is a family, and this was a family event, with everything that implied - laughter, tears, hugs, quietness, noise, and love.
Bookended with Steve's poems "If I were you" and "If you were me," (the first a rousing tribute to the energy of what happens on stage, and the second a hilarious pean to "Steve Motherfucking Sauve," in which the word 'awesomosity' figures), the night featured performances of Steve's work by a wide range of poets, a deeply moving open mike, written tributes from those who couldn't make it, music, and a lot of memories. The great thing about it was that, as intended, it WAS a celebration, and a reaffirmation of all the things we've learned from Steve. I was touched and moved and proud to be even a peripheral part of this town's spoken word community.
It was cathartic and joyous and sorrowing, and illuminating, and encouraging, and grieving, and strengthening. Which is just what I think we'd all hoped it would be.
Steve will be missed: but Steve hasn't left us.
