Dear
Family and Friends,
As
our dark season approaches the return of light which is Solstice, and then
Christmas, I’m becoming aware how this grand, ongoing drama of life is taking
place also, within myself.
A
few of the large-scaled dramas have touched me personally this month, e.g. when
I participated in last Sunday’s march for Racial Justice (escorted by police
down Congress Street) at the end of which, in the Portland High School gym, we
listened to stirring talks. Having translated from French to English some
African asylees’ “Declaration” papers to present before US Immigration, I’ve
learned a lot. For example, one politically active young man, happily settled
here now, had to flee for his life for doing a similar thing in the Congo. The
newspaper’s quoting an African onlooker’s expression of amazement witnessing
this peaceful demonstration means something.
The
other one relates to Francis’ and my having started a weekly Anti-Torture Vigil
at Monument Square in 2003. I used to read everything about that dark subject
to select materials for handouts – at that time. Since Francis’ death, however,
I haven’t had the stomach (good cliché) to follow any of this closely. Now,
with the release of the long-awaited Senate report on interrogation techniques
used by the CIA, however, I’m grateful indeed that finally, the truth has been
publicly acknowledged by our own government. That too means something.
About
my writing work, something new has developed within the last week. It mirrors
what happened in 2011 when I was puzzling how to handle poems that were coming
at a time when I wanted to write Francis’ story and mine in prose. At
that time, I was poised to include both poetry and prose in one book, just as I
was about to do now. But, as I finally chose to do, then, I have decided to do
the same now: write two books, not one.
So
the content of the third book,“SING TO ME AND I WILL HEAR YOU – New Poems,”
will include these new poems by themselves. And the fourth book, “THIS NEW LIFE
A Widow’s Journal,” will include selections from my journal which I’ve been
keeping since Francis died.
To
speak about my journey now (almost five years after his death on January
3, 2010) – when I went to bed last night, I felt downright surprised at the
depth of my joy. When I awakened even more happy, I wondered at it. The reason,
I decided, is that I had spent most of the previous day selecting the order . .
. , in other words, I was sequencing the poems for my third book. That’s cause
enough for joy, for sure, because those approximately 70 poems that have come
since publication of the first poems book, reengage me with the experiences
Francis and I were privileged to share. These new poems also touch on my own
experiences adjusting to this never-before-traveled road I’m on – the state of
widowhood.
There’s
even a deeper reason for the blessedness I felt last night and this morning.
It’s what I’ve discovered through writing both the poems, and my widow’s story.
And it’s this: I’ve come to appreciate this time in my life, just as it is.
Widowhood has given me the opportunity not only to grow in new ways, develop
gifts I didn’t realize I had, but also, to advance in understanding that comes
with age.
Moreover,
all along, since Francis died, I’ve felt “called” to write. But now, with a
deepening, reassuring surety about it – that my current writing of two more
books (for a total of four) continues to confirm that I’m still engaged in the
work I must do before I die – no wonder I felt almost euphoric! For what deeper
satisfaction can there be than doing what one feels called to do?
May
each of you and your loved ones experience the joy of this season through the
diverse ways of celebrating it, including Christmas.
May
you be blessed with good health and energy to carry on with your own good work
for the common good of all people – and for the restoration of our planet. (On
this subject, here is important information I’ve discovered: http://www.context.org/about/plans/cis-long-term-strategy/
Loving
regards,
Elaine
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