Piper, J Richard

Richard Piper was the love of my life. We met the first week of college and from the moment I saw him, walking down the hall from a shower, I fell in love with him. He was kind and gentle but very self-critical. He was perfectly handsome, perfectly polite, a perfect student...so we called him Perfect Piper. Richard was too waspy and well groomed to swear,he was actually a bit uptight. He would study using 4 different highlighters, each having its own meaning...I put him on a pedestal and he never came down. Richard went to medical school at UCSF and when I moved to The City, he finally came out to me...and helped me come out, too. I was terribly shy and afraid. He took me to Badlands and I begged him not to leave me, sticking my finger through a belt loop. He was always there for his friends. He was a proud gay man, and an AIDS survivor for 7 years. I have never known a man of such great quality as Richard. He changed my life forever and I still miss so terribly. I loved him like no other. I dedicate this song, Robin, by Carly Simon, to Richard: His friends are more than fond of Robin He doesn't need to compliment them And always as he leaves he leaves them Feeling proud just to know him When Robin goes on holiday There's no-one livin' in our lane Oh yes, folks still live in our lane But they're not like Robin Robin, I've never told you But I'll be yours until we're old Please learn to call me in your dreams The way I'm lookin' at you is just as it seems He's talked about before he gets there Though he can never understand it And I would like to be his alone But I'm shy and can't demand it But when Robin gives his love to others There's no-one living in my heart Oh yes, I keep others in my heart But they're not like Robin