The outpouring of Lou Reed tributes has been wonderful over the past week. From friends to critics, contemporaries to those he’s influenced, absence has made many hearts grow fonder of an unparalleled body of work. Most notably, Laurie Anderson — his wife and a great artist in her own right — wrote an obituary for Lou in their local paper. Now Patti Smith has contributed a heartfelt, beautifully written piece to The New Yorker. Read it here.