Yes, the real you
Hiding behind the mask of other faces and voices
You improvised and entertained, always made us laugh
But the laughter was missing from your own life
A real-life Mrs. Doubtfire, lost beneath the prosthetics

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Just like Mork who came from another planet
There was only one you, a prodigy among the rest of us humans
Patch Adams taught us how humor works where medicine fails
Misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s, while you suffered from Lewy body disease
Medicine and humor both failed you.

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Trapped in your own mind
A more dangerous place than the jungles of Jumanji
You played characters like the flick of a switch
But your mind and body refused to cooperate
Switching off and leaving you in the dark

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As an English teacher, you showed us why art was important
The heavens are richer as you lead the Dead Poets Society
Good Morning, Vietnam to goodbye, earth
The Nights at the Museum have been darker without you
The world lost a light when you flicked off the switch forever

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But the skies must be happy - they shine brighter with you up there
Still carrying your sparkle and laughter wherever you are
When I see the night sky twinkling brightly, I know
You must be entertaining the constellations
Like you always did; Mind and body now at peace.

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A Fan, 

Renata 

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