Prentiss Moore, 1947-1998
I’d been so busy with the bookstore that we’d not been in touch. I always thought we’d have time for that breakfast, for those drinks, for that laughter. I heard about his death only minutes before the memorial gathering was to begin. Stunned, and dressed in my standard bookseller’s uniform of jeans and wrinkled shirt, unshaven, I felt inadequate to the occasion, betrayed, embarrassed. The clear sky pressed uncomfortably close. How dare he die! Why did I not know? The ground shifted underfoot and I walked like a man underwater. I swatted at a buzzing wasp, not caring if it retaliated. And for the first time I realized that I, too, was dying. We all were. We all are. The gathering was lovely, memorable. Friends, family, acquaintances and even strangers spoke. I could not.
I once said that I hoped to become half the poet that Prentiss was. I may finally be approaching that elusive mark, but I’m still angry. How dare he die!
To read one of his most memorable poems, please look here:
And my poem for Prentiss can be found on this blog:
O at the Edges 
So sorry for your loss!
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Thank you, Barbara. It’s been twenty years, but the feeling hasn’t lessened.
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I’m not good about reading obits, and I’ve been caught finding out too late about deaths of people who were part of my career or education. Even one of my favorite doctors! And I think of them a lot to this day.
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Same here. This particular failure to keep in touch lay squarely on my shoulders. I still regret it.
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Robert, grief is a sign of love, but holding on to that energy in regret isn’t good for the health, actually. It can lodge in the lungs and cut off the energy flow in the body. Forgive yourself, for you are always able to talk with those who have passed. They are really just fine, not like us, in our earthly suffering. When I’m caught unaware of loss and death, I do feel sad, but I have to let it go and send love to all concerned. I’m a Reiki Master who sees the energetics of illness and healing in an Eastern way.
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Excellent advice, Barbara. Thank you for your concern.
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A wonderful piece from Moore, a new poet for me. thank you, sir, for the illumination
g.r.
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I’m so pleased you like it. Prentiss didn’t care about publication, and rarely submitted work. But when he did!
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Thank you for sharing this. Has truly enriched my day. And your piece is stunning!
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Thanks very much, Vanessa.
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good words for a friend… and I loved his poetry. Will be looking for his book
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It’s out-of-print, but available on the used market.
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thanks
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Thank you for sharing his poem (beautiful), and your poignant words, Robert. A wonderful tribute.
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Thanks, Betty. We were friends for over a decade. How quickly those years passed!
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And it’s always too fast…
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Always!
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I always love your words Robert ….You’re a great writer…. Please, “Together We Can Help”
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/quote-2-together-we-can-help/
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Thanks, Ivor. Ah, Leonard!
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More than half 🙂
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Thank you, Steve!
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