Thought About You
Okay, a singularly unoriginal title for my experiment. The last writing workout was writing about loss. I had wanted to write a poem for a friend on the anniversary of her death, so I experimented by writing snippets, thoughts, images, mememories of her out on cards over the whole weekend and then collaging them into a poem. At one point I had gone out for the evening and forgot that I was “remembering” Gabrielle over the weekend until the next morning, then felt guilty for forgetting. So that’s in here, too. Thought About You For Gabrielle Bouliane, One Year Gone I’m done baking and remember you. Remember that I’m supposed to be remembering. I want to say I’m sorry for every minute gone by, but that is mortal guilt and not for angels or...
Weekend Workout: Writing About Loss
I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds it challenging to write a satisfying poem about a loved one who has died. What words can fill the space the person held? In honour of dear friend and poet Gabrielle Bouliane, who died of cancer one year ago today, I wanted to write something to/for her this weekend. This workout is something I’ve never tried before, so I’m experimenting with it. I’ll post the results after the weekend. Instead of sitting down to write a poem or letter or story in one go, eeking out inadequate language for a heart-ripping loss, I’m going to keep Gabrielle in my thoughts all weekend and carry several index cards with me wherever I go. Any time a thought or vision or image or anecdote comes to mind, I’ll write it on a card. It doesn’t matter...
for Gabrielle Bouliane (1966-2010)
Gabrielle’s last live reading. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rRwaPkfwo4&w=640&h=390] The poem below is the best I can do right now… and it doesn’t feel like enough. How, ever, can words communicate what is ripped from the heart. I feel like I should watch this video every day, so that I remember how to live. for Gabrielle Bouliane (1967 – 2010) you disappear on a full wolf moon but not really in the age of a technology you shaped from, created you send messages across miles and friends echo that feisty stance, fiery angel, oh, poet, gift-giver, love-master, my hours in your presence are locked, sealed and delivered – – my dream-memory days and nights spent on projects for literary minds together building a...
About Me
All Danika's headshots by Cory Permack unless otherwise noted.
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