Caught up in my own busy world of 'to do' lists, grasping at late evening moments to weave or knit, I had missed the news of us losing John Burnside. When I was more deeply involved in the day-to-day of the Scottish literary scene I read John's work regularly - an immense presence in many ways. The biggest shock to me really is that he was only a few months older than me and yet he felt like an older brother pointing the way...
Thank you so much for sharing that exquisite poem of love and longing. Go, rest now, Big Man.
May I also say that you have been hiding your own accomplishments in many fields. The Clearing is a deep reverie on finding a creative life where many might have simply gone under or walked a very long way away. To any followers on here, if you haven't read Sam's book, I highly recommend it especially if you are seeking some light and breath in your life.
Oh, thank you Linda. That's very kind of you and it's lovely to hear you enjoyed reading the Clearing. John coached me through the writing as it turned unexpectedly from rather cerebral and abstract, to something much more personal than I'd anticipated. He steadied my nerves about that move towards memoir. His own memoir "A lie about my father" is absolutely exquisite.
Yes, I was shocked too when I read the news, in a Note from Sharon Blackie at the weekend. Just 69, and still very fully involved in a busy creative and academic life. He hadn't kept the best of health lately, but...still.
At least he was so prolific that he left us with quite the back catalogue to work through. He must have turned out five books while I plugged through my one! At least now I might finally be able to catch up with reading them all...
I read the poem to my husband at the breakfast table. We both teared up with love and understanding. Thanks. I will miss the co working today…we are going to the coast of Massachusetts to Salem for a bit of sea breeze and a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum.
Good day Samantha, I slept naught last night due to a major jab to my left knee with corticosteroids. Hoping to relieve some bothersome pain from the cartilage having gone AWOL. In my waking state of mind I’d think: “It’s The Life Boat day!”
I did not expect to awaken to read the words of today’s essay about John Burnside’s passing. One look at his face suggested that time spent in his presence could enrich folks’ lives just as with yours. I’m glad to hear the role he played in your writing The Clearing.
I’m so pleased you’ve become the place holder for the Wednesday’s of my life. Eager anticipation I would say.
The words “What if we stopped trying so hard and just listened” really should be a required practice for anyone breathing this Planet’s air. Thanks for all that you do, and for your essays like this one that offer a kind nudge toward living, trying some days with the foot off the pedal.
I'm so sorry to hear this, and so moved by your account of working with him, and that beautiful, necessary poem. "locked in the work of appearing, day after day, / in the world of our making;..." Oof yes--it cuts to the quick doesn't it, makes us stop and gives permission to not have to do the work of appearing, of a world of our own making.... how much we need to pay attention to the inbetween moments, of what is real and unencumbered. So grateful to have read this today--thank you so much for sharing it.
“a heightened awareness of something half-hidden, behind and between the visible things of this world” Thank you for sharing John’s poem and his stunning, refreshing ability to reawaken. I feel renewed just reading this!
He was one of the greats and I think his reputation will only continue to grow. His poems are soul medicine. And I am glad that he was so prolific that I still have yet to read so much of his work. Plus *note to self READ MORE POETRY!
Sorry to hear of your loss Sam. What a beautiful piece of writing. It sounds like the two of you were well matched in exchanging ideas and thoughts. I am sure his legacy is huge and has touched many people. X
Love his poetry. Moved by your memories and your good fortune to have known him. And yes, remembering to catch myself up and be present more to the spaces between things.
Thanks so much for this Sam. I too was deeply saddened to hear of John's death. I consider myself fortunate that he took the time to reply to my emails after I'd heard him interviewed on the radio by Joan Bakewell.
I love his fiction and memoirs especially but will revisit his poems. Unfortunately I went to school when the 'vivisection' approach was the standard way of teaching poetry: take something beautiful and magic alive then cut it into bits to see how it works and wonder why it doesn't seem to work any more...
I hope there will be a memorial service of some sort where we can pay our respects.
Caught up in my own busy world of 'to do' lists, grasping at late evening moments to weave or knit, I had missed the news of us losing John Burnside. When I was more deeply involved in the day-to-day of the Scottish literary scene I read John's work regularly - an immense presence in many ways. The biggest shock to me really is that he was only a few months older than me and yet he felt like an older brother pointing the way...
Thank you so much for sharing that exquisite poem of love and longing. Go, rest now, Big Man.
May I also say that you have been hiding your own accomplishments in many fields. The Clearing is a deep reverie on finding a creative life where many might have simply gone under or walked a very long way away. To any followers on here, if you haven't read Sam's book, I highly recommend it especially if you are seeking some light and breath in your life.
Oh, thank you Linda. That's very kind of you and it's lovely to hear you enjoyed reading the Clearing. John coached me through the writing as it turned unexpectedly from rather cerebral and abstract, to something much more personal than I'd anticipated. He steadied my nerves about that move towards memoir. His own memoir "A lie about my father" is absolutely exquisite.
Yes, I was shocked too when I read the news, in a Note from Sharon Blackie at the weekend. Just 69, and still very fully involved in a busy creative and academic life. He hadn't kept the best of health lately, but...still.
At least he was so prolific that he left us with quite the back catalogue to work through. He must have turned out five books while I plugged through my one! At least now I might finally be able to catch up with reading them all...
I read the poem to my husband at the breakfast table. We both teared up with love and understanding. Thanks. I will miss the co working today…we are going to the coast of Massachusetts to Salem for a bit of sea breeze and a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum.
Yes - his poems do that to me too! Enjoy the fresh sea air of Salem and hope to see you next week Ann.
Good day Samantha, I slept naught last night due to a major jab to my left knee with corticosteroids. Hoping to relieve some bothersome pain from the cartilage having gone AWOL. In my waking state of mind I’d think: “It’s The Life Boat day!”
I did not expect to awaken to read the words of today’s essay about John Burnside’s passing. One look at his face suggested that time spent in his presence could enrich folks’ lives just as with yours. I’m glad to hear the role he played in your writing The Clearing.
I’m so pleased you’ve become the place holder for the Wednesday’s of my life. Eager anticipation I would say.
The words “What if we stopped trying so hard and just listened” really should be a required practice for anyone breathing this Planet’s air. Thanks for all that you do, and for your essays like this one that offer a kind nudge toward living, trying some days with the foot off the pedal.
Yes, foot off the pedal, a moment of quiet, and maybe even the occasional nap....
What a wondrous poem.
There's more where that came from...but sadly no more new ones.
I had no idea John Burnside had died! I always admired his poetry, though i found his novels (those that I'd read) to be too disturbing.
Yes, it's like his novels and poems came from two different sides of his psyche - the novels are certainly much darker!
I'm so sorry to hear this, and so moved by your account of working with him, and that beautiful, necessary poem. "locked in the work of appearing, day after day, / in the world of our making;..." Oof yes--it cuts to the quick doesn't it, makes us stop and gives permission to not have to do the work of appearing, of a world of our own making.... how much we need to pay attention to the inbetween moments, of what is real and unencumbered. So grateful to have read this today--thank you so much for sharing it.
That last line really did for me, especially how he leaves us with that 'unencumbered'. Oooff!
“a heightened awareness of something half-hidden, behind and between the visible things of this world” Thank you for sharing John’s poem and his stunning, refreshing ability to reawaken. I feel renewed just reading this!
He was one of the greats and I think his reputation will only continue to grow. His poems are soul medicine. And I am glad that he was so prolific that I still have yet to read so much of his work. Plus *note to self READ MORE POETRY!
A beautiful tribute, and thank you for sharing Burnside's luminous poem.
There are many more - you're in for a treat.
thank you - this really resonated
Sorry to hear of your loss Sam. What a beautiful piece of writing. It sounds like the two of you were well matched in exchanging ideas and thoughts. I am sure his legacy is huge and has touched many people. X
Love his poetry. Moved by your memories and your good fortune to have known him. And yes, remembering to catch myself up and be present more to the spaces between things.
It's the gift that poetry gives us, reminding us to come back to ourselves - and yes, especially his.
We are. We owe. We come and go.
Indeed so. Indeed so....
Thanks so much for this Sam. I too was deeply saddened to hear of John's death. I consider myself fortunate that he took the time to reply to my emails after I'd heard him interviewed on the radio by Joan Bakewell.
I love his fiction and memoirs especially but will revisit his poems. Unfortunately I went to school when the 'vivisection' approach was the standard way of teaching poetry: take something beautiful and magic alive then cut it into bits to see how it works and wonder why it doesn't seem to work any more...
I hope there will be a memorial service of some sort where we can pay our respects.
So sorry you have lost such a beloved human.
This is a lovely, inspiring post in many ways. Thank you!
A beautiful tribute ❤️