Jason Shinder has passed on. I will remember his generous talks at Bennington, all the memories he shared, his lectures on Ginsburg and Kunitz. And the simple words of advice that resonated with me. He said them to the audience from a podium, in the middle of one of his amazing stories; and the advice was not the point to him, or to most. It was simply a conversational aside. But it struck me as wise, so I now forget the story, and recall only the aside. Jason said: “Find some humility, or it will find you.”
I will remember his words. I will remember him.
A poem by Jason Shinder:
Eternity
A poem written three thousand years ago
about a man who walks among horses
grazing on a hill under the small stars
comes to life on a page in a book
and the woman reading the poem
in her kitchen filled with a gold, metallic light
finds the experience of living in that moment
so vividly described as to make her feel known
to another; until the woman and the poet share
not only their souls but the exact silence
between each word. And every time the poem is read,
no matter her situation or her age,
this is more or less what happens.
posted by Leigh Rastivo
Hey Leigh–
Glad to find you. Only sorry it’s in the midst of sorrow again. Love to you.
Mary
Yes, Mary – We have to stop meeting like THIS, and meet over a laugh and a drink instead. I don’t believe these link-ups we have are accidental. Stay well. Leigh
I am Jaysons cousin. Circumstances, that is family issues, prevented me form knowing him while he lived.
I thank all who are shareing what they know of him, that I might try and come to know him now
“Find some humility, or it will find you.”
Now this is how I too can know of him.
As it happens I have been writing poetry myslelf, in private, for many years. Unlike Jay I am not compled to publish,and indeed I fear to do so,as my thoughts are very private. On the ocasion of his untimely death I have writen a few poems in his memory, but alas I have already found to much humilty to make them public.
Still, I can find no better way to honnor him than to write.
Thanks again.
Thanks so much for your post. I agree that writing is a wonderful way to honor Jason. I wish you the best with the poems, and hope you may share them some day. But most of all, I wish you comfort and grace as you face this loss.
All my best,
Leigh