On Sunday May 23, 1971 a note was found that proved to be a sad farewell from a very troubled soul.
Tragically, it announced the suicide of a poet who had for better or worse undoubtedly lost his way.
Onward and upward to the mountains not far from Gary Snyder's house, Lew Welch left a final trace; a sad statement that many had hoped would have said much more.
Tormented by escalating bouts of a life tempered by the pernicious effects of drugs and booze He left us with a harrowing loss.
A hermit, magician, musician and ring of bone.
Dear Lew, You will forever...
remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Lew Welch was born August 16, 1926 in Phoenix, Arizona.
As a Beat Generation Poet, Welch made his mark with poetry that was simple, incisive and sparse.
He often created images in which the superfluous reality of daily existence was cut down and stripped.
As a result, his poems were often iconic, penetrating and raw.
In an event that may be considered quite ominous, a brief foray into commercial advertising allowed him to coin the phrase " Raid Kills Bugs Dead".
It was a highly successful marketing slogan that must have made all of his colleagues on Madison Avenue quite proud.
It became an immensely popular catchphrase for the best selling pesticide that was frequently seen on American primetime television during the 1960's and 70's.
As a sensitive artist who appreciated the great significance of the written word, Welch enjoyed the company of his comrades and fellow poets Gary Snyder and Phillip Whalen.
Each of them attended Reed College, a respected institute of higher learning in Portland, Oregon.