Joseph Arthur Pens Poem For Steve Jobs

Just one day after Steve Jobs succumbed to pancreatic cancer, songwriter and painter Joseph Arthur wrote a poem in tribute to the co-founder and former chief executive of Apple, Inc. In the poem, Arthur writes that Jobs allowed us to “share our humanity thru machines.” Arthur recently stopped by the office of American Songwriter, where he played several songs and gave us a painting.

“for steve”

by joseph arthur

you gave access
to countless dreams
to share our humanity
thru machines
you turned lights on
in our minds
by lifting your own
beyond the signs
which said turn back
which said slow down
which said attack
the underground
you fought thru walls
your own and theirs
and lit a screen
of a thousand prayers
a thousand more
and more again
multiples
applied to sin
answered
in the hollow glare
where creation came
to find us there
you gave access
to countless dreams
to share humanity
with machines
and spread our voices
far and wide
and give us different
ways to hide
its not all good
but then what is ?
you were progress
idiot kid
genius soul
erupting light
a brother.
we now
say goodnight