I had the good fortune of meeting Charles but once. He was truly an exciting and vibrant man that seemed to have the habit of sweeping people up in his revelrie of *everything* in much the same manner as a wind storm. I’d always hoped that we would cross paths again, but it seems that it won’t be the case.

Tim Denton has written an excellent memorial of Charles. I was at the dinner Tim refers to…

Once when the dinner table conversation was flagging, Charles took a piece of cork, burnt it in a candle, and daubed his face and others' with the cork. Suddenly we were all transformed into other personae: beasts, pirates, wizards. It was a magical transmutation. Wizards and poets are rare. They should be cultivated.

– via Tim Denton

I’ll never forget the gleeful pleasure he took from mischievously soliciting grown men to partake in such childish pursuits – over dinner no less.

Although I knew very little about Charles, it seems fitting to me that he passed on in Bangkok and left some mystery as to the method.

Fare well Charles. I thank you for the brief impression you left me with.

“The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them.”

– Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947)