Diagnosed with cancer shortly after his 71st birthday, Morton continued to live his life to the fullest, and always on his own terms. His family and friends found him to be an inspiration, continuing to create and engage, with humor and love, til the end. This page is a tribute to professional moments in the last six months of his life, til his death on October 28, 2009.

April, 2009
Morton and his daughter, Jana Marcus, photographed for Metro Santa Cruz's special issue, Faces of Santa Cruz. Photo by Dina Scoppitone.

April 14, 2009
Poetry Santa Cruz reading with August Kleinzahler at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

April 25, 2009
Morton hosted a fundraiser for the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and his opera The Eternal Forest.

May 17, 2009
Hosting the longest running poetry radio show in America, on public radio KUSP, Morton's final show included guest poets Joe Stroud and Rosie King talking about poet Theodore Roethke.

July, 2009
Morton organized his archives to go to the UCSC Special Collections. Photo by Valerie Marcus Ramshur.

August 28, 2009
Morton spoke at Cabrillo College's 50th Anniversary All College Day, where he taught for 30 years, and received a standing ovation from a crowd of over 500.

  

August 30, 2009
Morton's final espisode of Cinema Scene with Richard Von Busack.

September 1, 2009
Morton gave his final poetry reading/public appearance at Capitola Book Cafe, to an overflowing crowd.

  

September 20, 2009
Morton celebrated his 73rd birthday with friends, family and a good cigar.

October 3, 2009
Morton hosted his final saturday film discussion at the Nickelodeon Theater.

October 18, 2009
Morton posed for his final portrait for his last book, Dark Figure In The Doorway. Photo by Jana Marcus.