That was Carl: A Remembrance Poem

That was Carl

Carl was hard to miss.
six foot three and somehow larger than life
in those retro bowling Charlie Sheen-like shirts he loved
boyish, impish, charming
walking into a room like he already knew someone there
and usually, within minutes, he did
That was Carl.

Carl made room for people.
he saw you, he heard you
remembered your children, your stories, your name
found the common ground and pulled up another chair
made you feel like you mattered (and to him, you did)
his heart just kept making room
That was Carl.

Carl loved fiercely.
Rose, his Rosie, the love of his life for over 40 years
Ana, Nathaniel, James and Daniel
he was “Grumps” to those grandboys he absolutely adored
he was present for his loved ones: parents, brother, cousins, beloved in-laws
and others who were family simply because he decided you were
That was Carl.

Carl showed up.
with lunch and a smile for Ana and friends at TWCA
standing in the gap when somebody’s life went sideways
with encouragement, opening doors and seeing possibilities
the first person to call when you’d done something batshit crazy
helping people become more than they knew they could be
That was Carl.

Carl loved to go.
work took him around the world and he took it all in
the people, the cultures, unfamiliar foods
then there were trips just for the joy of going
a new road, a good meal, a winery, an adventure
always another place to see and another story to bring home
That was Carl.

Carl made coffee into community.
a lifelong passion became Neon Moon
bringing people together, one cup of joe at a time
like the Roosters gathering every Thursday morning
(talking about everything under the sun)
no, he didn’t walk on water – he danced on coffee
That was Carl.

Carl loved a good story.
around a dinner table, a campfire, a glass of wine
on the family land at Crawford, cigar in hand
clearing the brush or sitting in the deer blind
he could talk about almost anything, anywhere
and make you want to stay for one story more
That was Carl.

Carl savored his life.
a pie brought to a party, meat smoking low and slow
food pictures texted to friends even before the first bite
charcuterie arranged beautifully just for him and Rosie during COVID
food was never just food, wine was never just wine
there was always someone to share it with
That was Carl.

Carl chose joy.
even tired, he would not cancel that last dinner
changed his shirt because he wanted to “look special”
walked in with Rose, the two of them laughing and holding hands
and for a little while, four friends just being together again simply felt normal
we didn’t know we were making a joyful memory we would need so soon
That was Carl.

There should have been more stories.
more campfires, more dinners
more adventures with his Rosie
more time to read his well-worn Bible
more years to beam with pride over the woman Ana had become
more ordinary days becoming stories around a table

but there was his life
savored all the way through

with Rose
with family
with friends
with colleagues
with music and laughter
with every good thing
he could put on a plate
pour in a glass or a cup
or turn into a story

and there was love

so much love

That was Carl.

Shared in the dVerse Poets Pub open poetry link prompt, this poem was written for the August 29, 2026 celebration of Carl’s life, created using words and themes collected from numerous online remembrances from Carl’s family, friends, colleauges, customers, a chamber of commerce and his obituary. And our own Glover Gardens memories of our treasured friend.

He was special.

A longer remembrance is below.

©️ 2026, Glover Gardens