Poet Linda Pastan

As I read Linda Pastan’s obituary in the Washington Post I remembered a book of hers on my shelf. When I read The Last Uncle I was so moved by her poetry, I wrote to her. She wrote back. Fortunately I’d tucked the postcard inside the book. Postmarked 2004.

Because I don’t have permission to reprint her poems here today, my wish is you’ll find one, they are out there on the Internet, read her words and know the world will miss her.

A link to Linda Pastan reading three of her poems.

Here’s a link to Kirk Lawrence reading of one of her poems on YouTube titled My Obituary

Credits-cover design Eleen Cheung.
Cover photograph by Bob Grove of The Artist’s Father by Paul Cezanne from Collection of Mr.and Mrs. Paul Mellon Published by W.W.Norton

Charlie’s Favorite Author

Last Friday, March 19, when visiting my family in Ohio, I photographed this colorful set of books on top of Charlie’s dresser. I’d not seen them altogether in this format . I know they’ve been read aloud numerous times to Charlie.(5) he always tells me about a grandmother in the books who knits.

Then one week later on March 26th my sister sent me this NYTimes obituary – Beverly Cleary passed away at 104 years of age.

Her books were always a favorite at school, too.