It is with sadness that I share that Ronald has left
this world. His wife, Allene, granted me the honor of sharing a tribute to our
friend. He was an encouraging voice and a delight to work with these past
couple of years. We were both members of the New Orleans Haiku Society. That’s
where we met. I’m so glad he accepted my invitation to share his gift of words
at Whispers. I chose pieces from our archives to share
with you. Allene, please accept my sympathy for your loss. I pray that God will
grant you comfort as you deal with this challenging time.
--In Memory—Karen O’Leary--
cherry blossoms
in the tidal basin--
a paddle boat
_______________
a surgical tray
they forgot to cover--
nightmares
_______________
still standing
after a flood of memories--
my first home
_______________
squirrels twitching tails--
text messages
_______________
a ferris wheel high --
amidst the stars
one for her finger
_______________
lost in my writing--
cold coffee
_______________
Today, my coffee grew cold, expressing the loss of our
writing friend. Ron, we celebrate you and feel the emptiness, too.
These last thoughts are from Ronald’s poem “Memoriam”—
the eerie quiet---
of a cold misty morning
alone
I'm so sorry for your loss, Karen, and ours' too. I didn't know his work, but your friend's haiku show a kind and sensitive man. Thank you for sharing his work. My deepest sympathy Allene.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you Karen, and to Ronald's wife Allene. May she be blessed by the words he left behind and may they bring comfort knowing he will not be forgotten. The poems you chose to share are a great example of his talent Karen. Thank you for letting us know. Blessings, Connie
ReplyDeleteThese is surely the saddest day,
ReplyDeletefinding one of our own has gone.
Condolences to those left behind.
In his closing word, we find
we all leave this world "alone"
as we venture out, on our way.
My deepest condolences to Ron's extended family and friends.
Michael
My condolences to you & your family Allene!
ReplyDeleteMy condolances to you and the family, thanks for sharing this tribute Karen.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about the loss. The world lost a great poet who has left us with amazing poems.
ReplyDeleteI am sure his words will live ever after!
I appreciate his wife's commitment to her husband's work. He has left her the best gift as a husband.
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these from Ronald. My sympathies go out to his wife, Allene.
Your friend,
David Fox
Thank you Karen for honoring our mutual friend Ron in this manner. Hearing all of the lovely comments people are making about his haiku would delight him beyond measure. This is a beautiful tribute to a very kind friend.
ReplyDeleteSuch a dear sweet man who will be missed by many. May his words live on in each of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this wonderful tribute to Ronald, Karen. These haiku are charming. Please add my condolences to his family as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelly Blankman, for the following--
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Ronald's beautiful poetry with us. His family and friends will be in our hearts and prayers. May his memory be a blessing. Shelly
What lovely haiku! RIP Ronald.
ReplyDeleteDear Allene and dear Karen,heartfelt condolences on your loss of dear Ronald ...what fine haiku these are ,thanks for sharing Karen
ReplyDeletehere is one for you Allene
autumn wind
so much colder
in the empty eaves
with loving prayers at this challenging time for you and all other family members,angelee
Dear Karen and Allene
ReplyDeleteReading Ronald's haiku poems elevates this sad occasion with the joy of words. At such a moment surely the Lord is present "amidst the stars."
Blessings
I did not know Ronald but do know the vacuum left behind when someone close to another dies. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and his friends . respectfully, Annie Jenkin
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Ronald and I never crossed paths...reading the above lovely poems made me realize what I had been missing. My deep condolences go to Ron's wife Allene and family.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to Allene and family on the sad passing away of Ronald. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
ReplyDeleteI would like to extend my condolences to the Grognet family for their loss. Karen, you did a lovely tribute to your friend; his words are undeniably everlasting to those who read his poetry.
ReplyDeleteS.Stefanowich
My heart is with the Grognet family. Ronald's words live on, a glowing light to give us comfort. Thank you, Karen, for sharing this. This poem is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDear Whispers' Family,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reaching out to Allene in this time of sorrow. Allene, Ronald will be missed by this writing community. If at any point you would like me to share more of his poetry, please let me know. My husband and I are praying for Ronald, you, your family and friends. Please accept my sympathy.
Blessings,
Karen
Rest in Peace, Ronald. I am grateful for the beautiful poetry he shared with us here at Whispers. Prayer are going up for his wife, Allene, and their family. May God's peace and grace be upon this family.
ReplyDelete-MJ
The decaying body an old
ReplyDeleteis always mixed with sand
departed soul remains ever
in heart, people living on land.
A poet lives in poetry
and dies never as whole
he remains in his creations
playing actively his role.
I regret on the loss of Ronald .
May God rest him in peace and bless courage to bear the shock to his wife , Allene and other family members and friends.