My old friend died peacefully yesterday at 1:15 p.m. Many thanks to all for your kind thoughts and prayers during this time. The images and words come from a letter he wrote to me while he was in Vietnam in 1970.
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13 comments:
Peace to you both now.
Words always seem inadequate at moments like this.
Hugs.
I am feeling for you, am. Peace.
I've been thinking of you, praying for you. Peace and hugs.
AM, I found this just today.
Pueblo Blessing
Hold on to what is good
even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe
even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do
even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life
even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand
even when I have gone away from you.
Ach, I'm sorry. No matter how expected it's never expected, not really.
xoxo
I have loved Edna St. Vincent Millay's sonnets since I was a teenager. I wanted to share the particular sonnet that brings me the most comfort when contemplating the loss of a loved one.
My condolences, and gratitude for your very soulful blog.
Mindful of you the sodden earth in spring,
And all the flowers that in the springtime grow,
And dusty roads, and thistles, and the slow
Rising of the round moon, all throats that sing
The summer through, and each departing wing,
And all the nests that the bared branches show,
And all winds that in any weather blow,
And all the storms that the four seasons bring.
You go no more on your exultant feet
Up paths that only mist and morning knew,
Or watch the wind, or listen to the beat
Of a bird’s wings too high in air to view, -
But you were something more than young and sweet
And fair, - and the long year remembers you.
Whatever peace he found, you were obviously an important part of it. Find solace in the gifts you gave.
KJM
Peace.
SB.
Oh, am, I am so sorry to read this. In the Jewish tradition we put a stone on the grave. In the blogging tradition, it looks like this (0). My deepest sympathy for your heartfelt loss.
may he rest in beauty
may he be free to move on
may he settle gently on your spirit and help it soar
may your sadness be the seed
for more love within and without
always
you've posted a beautiful tribute to your friend. when my parents' died suddenly (totally bad car accident) a friend told me i should read "birthday letters" by ted hughes.
the book did help me to feel better, but I still often get totally depressed. writing helps a lot (especially when it is in a blog). oh, and this poem by emily dickinson:
I reason, Earth is short—
And Anguish—absolute—
And many hurt,
But, what of that?
I reason, we could die—
The best Vitality
Cannot excel Decay,
But, what of that?
I reason, that in Heaven—
Somehow, it will be even—
Some new Equation, given—
But, what of that?
p.s. keep on painting (and blogging) - the best remedy.
Zach -- Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I am sorry to hear that your parents died in such a sudden way. I will look into "Birthday Letters."
Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite poets. Thank you for bringing her poetry here.
Yes. Writing and art work really do help.
Beginning in 2006, blogging brought me out of a period of isolation. Good to see your latest blog post.
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