Tribute to Robin Williams by Master Impressionist Jim Meskimen

Master Impressionist Jim Meskimen at a live concert of JIMPRESSIONS performing his touching poem about actor Robin Williams that was written shortly after the comedian committed suicide. Full text included below.
Robin Williams influenced many of us to become impressionists and actors, and we won't forget him.

See Jim live in JIMPRESSIONS 2017 at The Acting Center in Los Angeles!

Follow Jim on Twitter: @jimrossmeskimen

IN MEMORY OF ROBIN WILLIAMS
by Jim Meskimen

THEY DIDN'T BURN ALL THE PIANOS
WHEN FREDRICK CHOPIN DIED

DIDN'T OUTLAW OIL PAINTS
WHEN PICASSO TOOK HIS FINAL RIDE

NO ONE PUT A STOP TO BASEBALL
WHEN MICKEY MANTLE'S TIME WAS UP

OR BANNED ALL RUSSIAN NOVELS
WHEN TOLSTOY WENT BELLY UP

ON SHAKESPEARE'S DEATH, NOBODY SAID
"NOW HATH ARRIVED THE DAY–

FROM THIS POINT HENCE LET NONE DARE
PUT FORTH PEN TO WRITE A PLAY!"

WE CELEBRATE WHAT'S LEFT
BY THE DEPARTED, IT'S OUR CHOICE

YET IT DOES SEEM SACRILIGEOUS
TO DO ROBIN WILLIAM'S VOICE

A VOICE THAT WAS DESIGNED TO SOOTHE,
SOFT, DEEP TONES TO RESONATE

AND CASCADE GENTLY OUTWARD
FROM BEHIND A SMILING FACE

A VOICE THAT COULD ACCELERATE
TO CATCH UP WITH THE MIND

LIKE SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE
TO NOT GET LEFT BEHIND

A VOICE THAT COULD CHANGE CHARACTER
LIKE SECONDS ON A CLOCK

OR HIJACK NATIONALITIES
FOR A SPIN AROUND THE BLOCK

SHIFT AGE, SHIFT VIEWPOINT, SHIFT I.Q.,
WHATEVER'S NOT NAILED DOWN

DESTROY, REBUILD, DESTROY AGAIN,
A FORMIDABLE CLOWN

WE'LL HEAR THIS VOICE IN FUTURE TIMES
IN RERUNS ON TV,

IT'LL OCCUPY THE WORLD WIDE WEB
LIVE ON, DIGITALLY

WE'LL HEAR IT'S ECHOES COME
FROM OTHER MOUTHS AND OTHER LIPS

IN TRIBUTES AND HOMAGES, AND,
LIKE PSYCHEDELIC TRIPS

WE'LL THINK THE OWNER'S BACK AGAIN
WITH HIS FAMILIAR SOUND

BUT THEY'LL ALL BE IMITATIONS–
JUST AN AUDIBLE REBOUND

NEW JOKES AREN'T IN THE PIPELINE NOW,
NOT THAT THE WELL WENT DRY-

BUT THE JESTER WHO POSSESSED THIS VOICE
JUST CHOSE TO SAY GOODBYE

WITH THE WEALTH OF JOY HE LEFT US
WE SHOULD PROBABLY REJOICE

BUT IT'S HARD TO TO GRASP WE LOST THE GUY
WHO USED TO HAVE THIS VOICE.

©2014 by Jim Meskimen

[followfornothing]

He looks like Robin Williams when he is impersonating him. Thank you for sharing.

[Velocirampers]

Haven't heard this poem in two years, since he passed. It still gives me goosebumps

[CaseyMoo]

how this ever could have received a thumbsdown I will never understand. Absolutely beautiful.

[hipocampelofantocame]

An impressionist of all seasons, for an actor of all seasons.

[videonut]

Thank you, Jim Meskimen, for keeping Robin Williams' spirit alive!

[dmaster]

As a person who has once contemplated suicide, I thank you for your wonderful tribute to a man who lost that battle. Depression is something nobody can really understand until they experience it firsthand, and the remembrance of the beautiful in this poem is something that resounds within me. May your well never run dry, and may we always remember the beauty of the man behind that voice more than the pain of his passing.

[emanuelrojas]

I'm tearing up on how beautiful that was! We'll miss you Rob!

[jonhighsmith]

Not only the best tribute I ever heard for Robin Williams but possibly for anyone else for that matter! Thank you

[TheGamersGrotto]

The interesting thing is.. You not only have Robin's voice, Jim.. you also have his smile..

Keep on making the world a better place like Robin did..

Much respect for you.

[uwalakab]

"But the Jester who possessed this voice, chose to say goodbye".... That was a lovely and very moving poem. Thank you for sharing Jim.

[SSKPG]

It's unsettling how much you look like him as well as sound

[holidaysinsweden]

Not only is the impression a good one, the poem is great in itself.

[jorgegaytan]

jim you are a beast you are incredible and your talent knows no boundaries

[ricktheexplorer]

Amazing performance. Amazing Poem. I remember when I first saw it on YouTube. I was expecting uproarious applause at the end. My guess is that the crowd was speechless.There is no way any human can hold back the tears when witnessing this. Thanks Mr. Meskimen, It's one of my favorite experiences of all time!

[JimBales]

Thank you Jim. Good to hear that voice again. He lives on not only digitally now.

[mobeenkhan]

Jimbo...you know how to make a grown man cry. God bless you, bro
& RIP, Robin.

[richyearle]

That was nice.Mr Williams was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.

[libd]

this is such a beautiful poem. I closed my eyes and could see Robin being his funny, silly self. I actually teared up listening as he passed in my birthday and will always be a favourite of mine 😊 thank you Jim for keeping his spirit alive x

[Tabby]

Beautiful. I think Robin would have been deeply moved by such eloquence. He seemed a very kind and humble man. We’ll always miss him. Thank you.!😊

[jackstrange]

Wonderful. Makes me think of all the wonderful memories I have of growing up watching him in so many different shows. they brought my family together with many laughs and some tears.