What would you like to be remembered for?

It’s here. I’ve always thought that it was here. If you play to the gallery, that’s posterity. The best you can hope for is another gallery after you’ve gone, but you won’t see it. Statistically, it’s unlikely that much of what one does will be read for ever. It may just be one or two poems. For example, my Japanese Maple poem is famous among people who own a Japanese maple.

He gave people laughter.

It’s up to them.

As the world’s oldest living teenager.

I spent the earlier part of my life being late for everything, so there was a joke that my tombstone would read The Very Late Patricia Hodge.

Maybe a skilful bronze face somewhere. Or a small but helpful scholarship for a drama student or singer to study singing.

As a kind man who told good stories.

I hope so, yes! The thing is that my spiritual leanings don’t accept what we would call life and death… We don’t believe in that. There is no end! There is no dying. We’re here forever! Even though your body turns to dust like everything else in this world, your soul is going to continue on. Even though I’m not able to perform music anymore, I’m still here as a human being, my soul will still be here when I’m gone — so every day I’m trying to be a good human being. And I guess whatever I accomplish in that sense will turn into the legacy of Sonny Rollins.

As someone who did his best.

It would be nice just to be remembered.

If my children remember me as fondly as I remember my mum, that would be a treat.

Not for a long time.

I will be dead, why would I care?

As a man who tried his best to entertain.

With dozens upon dozens of beautiful women weeping over my casket.

Kind, thoughtful and gave damn good advice.

As not being a total bollix.

For bringing positivity to people.

Isn’t it enough just to be remembered?

As a nice old man.