Foreword
Today is a sad day for me. This morning I got word an old college friend, Anne, passed away last week. A few years back, I wrote a poem in honour of her courage and dedication and I feel it’s only right to share it once more. Anne, Great Woman, rest in peace.
_____________________________________________
volunteer
for Anne
not her going (it was coming a while)
but the manner of it
only what she stood in and a weekend bag for forever
that’s where the rest of my life is she said
and i’ll arrive with as little as i can
for i want to wage war with bare hands
sow reap share
and baggage would be baggage
honours languages girl
fierce mind to cut pretence first sentence
heart i’d have learned more from had i not been afraid
and mine more grown less promiscuous
she was plain white paper big print
and had no use for a world at her feet
that would force her in plastic directions
goody-goody fanciful extreme
i thought she’d last three months
une saison en enfer Sixties girl
unacquainted with hardship and daddy at her back
journeying with Rimbaud and Baudelaire
tilting at windmills in the original
can’t hack hunger and malaria dysentery and flies
and what does she know of planting?
forty years and never so much as a card
but now and then i read of a new clinic
a village with clean water a loan paid off
another school with books and desks
and see in a group snapshot a white-haired girl
with a smile to construct a continent
johnpoetflanagan 
My deepest sympathy, John. Anne sounds like a human gem. We have too few of those. This seems to be the season of loss…
Thank You
Noelle,
for your beautiful comforting words
and i apologise for the delay replying to you
the loss has hit me hard
Big Hugs
john
My condolences, jf ā”
Thank You
Audrey
for your sympathy
and i apologise for the delay in replying to you,
the loss has hit me hard
Big Hugs
jf
I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, jf.
Reblogged this on Ace Friends & Bloggers News.
Condolences John ..Your honour of such a person does you credit and so seldom in today’s world …She sounds like a selfless volunteer and it warms my ā¤ļø that beautiful people like her and you still exist God Bless my friend and RIP Anne š
Ian
Thank you for your beautiful comforting response.
Apologies for the delay in responding to you
this loss has hit me hard.
Always
john
Thanks John ..Be strong in your hour of need you are in my prayers now and always …š Ian Amen
Please accept my condolences. Your poem honors your friend Ann, and I’m glad to have read about her this morning.
Alicia,
Thank You
I’m so sorry to read the sad news John. My deepest sympathy to you and all who knew her.
many hugs ā¤
Holly,
Thank you for your lovely comforting words.
Apologies for being slow in responding, this loss has hit me hard.
Big Hugs
john
I’m so sorry for your loss John. Please take care of yourself, you are in my thoughts. Love, Holly
You have my condolences, John. This is a fine homage/ tribute to someone who sounded like a strong and compassionate person.
Chris
Thank you.
I’m sorry i’m slow getting back to you
i’ve taken the loss very much to heart,
intimations of mortality i suppose
Always
john
Please do not worry yourself over it, John – as you say there are more important things. Take good care of yourself. Chris
My heartfelt sympathies. As you so beautifully describe her, it is the world’s loss.
Karen
Thank you for your fine words
and sorry i’m slow in responding, i’ve taken the loss badly
Big Hugs
john
This poem says so much, and seems like a wonderful tribute.
Rebecca
Thank You
Oh, John…real tears falling from my heart š Your words say so much…give us a clear picture of who she was and who she was not. How often we misjudge…
Sending heartfelt sympathy to you, my friend. Much love and many blessings to touch your heart.
Lorrie,
Thank you for your beautiful and comforting words
and apologies for the delay in responding, i’ve been down
Big Hugs
john
Sending white healing light, John! Never a need to worry about responding…
I truly hope that you are UP again š
Many blessings š
A heartfelt tribute to a life well lived. Thank you for sharing her with us, John.
Joan
Thank You
Big Hugs
john
Sorry to hear that. What a well written poem. All the best.
Herminia
Thank You
A lovely tribute John. I’m sorry for your loss.
Hugs
David,
Thank you
and sorry for the delay in replying
i’ve taken the loss badly
Hugs to You
john
I’m sorry for your loss John but what a beautiful poem. thanks for reshaping it so that we may have a glimpse of what sounded an amazing life ā¤
Thank you for your comforting words
and apologies for being slow in answering you
i’ve taken the loss very much to heart
Big Hugs
john
time is irrelevant to me John, it’s just always good to see you and you need to take measure to heal your heart and say your goodbyes, don’t forget to remember the good ā¤ ā¤ big hugs back at you my friend ā¤
You have my condolences. Itās so hard to lose a friend
Thank you, Dan
and apologies for being slow getting back to you, i’ve taken the loss badly.
Always
john
No apology necessary.
My condolences to you John for the loss of your friend Anne. They are so few, those dear souls that seem to silently magically appear in our lives overwhelming us with their intense dedication and kindness to all. Selflessly reaching out to improve lives one act at a time, time after time. They give unparalleled love and compassion never asking anything in return, self motivated with deeds that move the hearts and souls of all they touch.
Jon My Friend
Thank you
and sorry for being slow in responding, I’ve been down.
Ever Your Friend
john
Dearest John,
Anne has left her footprint. Such a moving poem. A talented, driven woman, who used her gifts selflessly and fulfilled her vision.
You have conjured up such a living image of Anne I clearly see her and feel great respect for her.
With love.
Thank you, Dearest Angela
and my apologies for being slow getting back to you.
This loss hit me hard, the fourth personal loss this year.
I can’t wait for this year to be over.
Ever and Always
john
Please accept my condolences. I am so sorry to hear that.
Thank you, Mihran
Just read this a second time and had to comment.Your strong ending is such a wonderful tribute that rings true.
Thank you, Judy
So sorry for your loss. A beautiful tribute indeed
Thank you very much
Nice tribute. Must have been a
wonderful person.
Tom,
Thank you.
Yes, Anne was an exceptional person.
Thank you again
My best to you
john
You honored her again, dear John.
Thank you
Friend
Myra
Thank You
john
John, I remember this poem very well. So sorry to hear that your dear friend Anne passed away. Anne has changed this world for the better. I have never met her but I have a great respect for her. May she rest in peace after all the good work she has done.
Such a beautiful way to say goodbye, John. I love how you closed this tribute in fond memory. Anne was not one for pretense and that is truly exemplified in your signature style of writing. An individuals smile is so very telling and their life actions an even broader stroke and beauty to behold always.
Warmest regards, as always, John
Thank you, Don, thank you very much
for your great generosity and true kindness
Ever
john
So touchy your tribute sir!
Thank you very much