on passing on
for Wanda, Imari, Maya, and Ruby
it is a circle this dying
i must remember that
as an incantation-
it is a circle this dying
a circle i must find a balance on
in these very few months
so many gone
precious souls, voices and spirits
who have fed us
wisdom and love and fire
from the center of their beings
and we have wept, and laughed and raged
and celebrated with them
but now another gone
before i have become
steady from the last or
the ones before that
and sometimes i too sigh and
nod in agreement speaking
of a place that can’t be filled
a hole left for ever absent
despite the other truth
that just by looking around
seeking out each other
we can see their living glow
in the good works
that remain as testament
to their transformation
to lights still shining
like distant stars
that for eons after their fires
are extinguished
continue to send out
rays of light
still each loss
digs deeper and deeper
and i must remind myself
that it is circle
every death a part
of an eternal cycle of becoming
always
all ways
becoming
As for the four artists who informed this poem, please seek out more of their work or (re) familiarize yourself with their lights that continue to shine at the following sites which are only a starting point:
Wanda Coleman – An excellent bio and bibliography with links to some poems
Amiri Baraka – Thorough and thoughtful bio. Great bibliography. Poem links.
Maya Angelou – Two poems and a reasonable bio
Ruby Dee – This is the official site for Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. You’ll enjoy the journey
Writing prompt
Who (or what) have you lost that continues to give your life purpose or light? Write about the light they shine and if you are pulled back write about them as you knew them. Yes there is the loss and the sadness; can you write the gift?