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October Wind
Cris Kelly, 1999

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This song is a tribute to the memories of Lauren Dunn, Lauren Interess, and Jody Wilson. Cris Kelly, who worked closely with all three as a fellow instructor at Astrocamp, referred metaphorically to the unique beauty he saw in each of them.

To understand the metaphors, it will help to know that: one of Lauren Dunn's main passions was the ocean and marine life; Jody Wilson grew up on a lake in New Hampshire and enjoyed athletics including ultimate frisbee; and Lauren Interess loved the beauty of the night sky and, through her work, earned the informal title "Telescope Queen."

In addition to composing the music and lyrics, Cris Kelly has sung "October Wind" at the memorial service held at the Desert Sun Science Center on October 10, 1999, and at the dedication of the Lauren Interess Observatory also at DSSC on November 7, 1999.

The cut that you hear on this page is taken from Cris's CD entitled "October Wind." If you would like to learn more about his music or find out how to obtain the CD, please contact us by clicking on Feedback.

October wind blows tonight.
This light I feel comes from you,
It's a lake and an ocean and a constellation.
A triangle of strength, a light of laughter, a direction of love.

October wind pushes at me
And sends the year into cooler air.
It's the sky's motion and the toss of a frisbee and a wave out on the sea.

Clockwise: Jody, Lauren D., Lauren I., and their friend Chuck Wall - Click to enlarge

Now among the stars like the stars you were,
Where the midnight sky spinning slow
Is as wide as time.

October wind blows through the trees.
I never knew a light so beautiful.
So fly Andromeda and swim Delphinus and shine Queen Cassiopeia.

This light I feel comes from you.
You’re the distance between now and forever,
As near to us as memory,
As calm as a midnight sky in October
With Orion just coming into view.