Audioslave’s Tom Morello Pens Moving Poem in Honor of Chris Cornell
The loss of Chris Cornell took the world by surprise when news broke early Thursday (May 18) morning that the singer had died in his hotel room following Soundgarden's performance in Detroit. Tom Morello, Cornell's bandmate in Audioslave, was among the countless artists to reflect on the legacy of the singer and he has now penned a moving poem in further tribute to the rock icon.
Morello posted an image of Audioslave on his Instagram page (post below) alongside a series of lines that embodied the charisma, spirit, integrity, influence and character of Cornell. The poem reads as follows:
You're a prince, you're a snare, you're a shadow
You're twilight and star burn and shade
You're a sage, you're a wound shared, you're masked
You're a pillar of smoke, you're a platinum heart
You're a brush fire, you're caged, you're free
Your vision pierces, you do not see
You are pieces strewn on the hillside
You're open armed, you're armed, you're true
You're a revealer of visions, you're the passenger, you're a never fading scar
You're twilight and star burn and shade
You're the secret veiled, you're the secret revealed, you're surrounded no more
You're not there, now you're always here
Youre a handsome groom, a loving father, a haunted stairwell
You're the clear bell ringing, the mountains echo your song
Maybe no one has ever known you
You are twilight and star burn and shade
Earlier this week, Morello had stated, in part, “I love you, brother. Thank you for your friendship and your humor and your intellect and your singular and unmatched talent." Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk also commented, "The sadness of you leaving I can not begin to describe here. So close to home. I was in awe of your talent. The time I was able to spend with you, which was not enough, I will forever cherish. At your core you were a smart, sweet and gentle soul. This is how I will always remember you. Love you Chris. Hard to believe this picture marks the last time I will ever see you here on earth."
In January, Audioslave reunited for a single performance, hitting the stage before everyone in the band aside from Cornell headlined the night later as Prophets of Rage, with Chuck D. and B-Real assuming the vocalist roles. Cornell left the door open for more Audioslave shows in the future, but stressed the members' schedules would have to align, allowing a window in which they'd all be free to perform together.
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