Jack Kerouac died 47 years ago at age 47

Michael White's book

"I wish I was free of that slaving meat wheel and safe in heaven dead."

The above closing passage from Jack Kerouac's "211th Chorus" in Mexico City Blues comes to mind today, as it always does, on this the anniversary of his death in 1969 (read the whole poem here). There is a book by Michael White titled, Safe in Heaven Dead: Interviews with Jack Kerouac (see above), which I don't own but it's sure a great title (and would make a great birthday or Christmas present for yours truly -- hint, hint).

At least I made it to Jack's grave this month (his favorite: October) if not today. If you're into the whole numerology thing, Jack died 47 years ago at the age of 47. That's only gonna happen once, so let's raise an extra glass to the greatest American writer who ever lived.

RIP, Jack.

Rick Dale at Jack Kerouac's grave, October 6, 2016