We were saddened to learn on Sunday of the death of Dreadlock Mike, one of those iconic street people who entertained crowds around Comerica Park. He and another street person, James Van Horn, widely known as the “Eat ’em up, Tigers!” guy (for his mantra cheering on our home team), were reportedly killed by a hit-and-run motorist in the wee hours of Saturday, July 27.
So we were surprised to arrive in the office on Monday morning and find a poem left on our keyboard, apparently hand-delivered to our office. In the margins of the verse was printed: “Metro Times, can you print this for Mike”? We present here this anonymous tribute to the man known as Dreadlock Mike.
“Dreadlock Mike” photographed by Bruce Giffin. Courtesy Bruce Giffin.
Social Vendor
We’ve seen you, Mike Judges, priest, Pepsi delivery men, EMS, DTE. Solid apparition Solemn worn visage Heavy roped dreadlocks Moving between our Civic world Like an urban stream of consciousness Limbless in cold winter Snow-covered and frozen We gave donations In pure conscience A silver dime golden A divine cup of soup.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2013.
