The writer and poet Bob Swank, best known for his masterful writing on electronic media under the name Owl Meat Gravy died in his Little Italy home late last week.
I don't know precise details concerning the death. I might not publish them even if I did know. Larvatus prodeo, the Latin phrase that Owl Meat Gravy chose as the motto on his writer's card, means, "I go forward wearing a mask."
Bob Swank shared his writing with the world through Twitter, and through Facebook and on this newspaper's online commenting forums as well as his own blog. He was no hermit -- he did most of his writing in public spaces. However, he was circumspect -- although I wouldn't say fiercely so -- about the kind of life details that compose a standard obituary.
Owl Meat Gravy thought of himself foremost a writer and a poet. Swank understood that the social media are not about -- and really never were -- solipsistic ramblings. He understood that Facebook and Twitter and the commenting boards of Dining@Large were forums for a new kind of writing.
In the next few days, I'll be posting some of his best writing here. I'll also tell you about plans for a memorial service, as I hear about them.