Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Ronald Grognet—In Memory 2016—United States

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

22 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. My 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

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  3. These is surely the saddest day,
    finding 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

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  4. My condolences to you & your family Allene!

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  5. My condolances to you and the family, thanks for sharing this tribute Karen.

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  6. I am so sorry about the loss. The world lost a great poet who has left us with amazing poems.
    I 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.

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  7. Karen,
    Thanks for sharing these from Ronald. My sympathies go out to his wife, Allene.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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  8. 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.

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  9. Such a dear sweet man who will be missed by many. May his words live on in each of us.

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  10. Thank you for posting this wonderful tribute to Ronald, Karen. These haiku are charming. Please add my condolences to his family as well.

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  11. Thank you, Shelly Blankman, for the following--

    Thank 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

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  12. Dear Allene and dear Karen,heartfelt condolences on your loss of dear Ronald ...what fine haiku these are ,thanks for sharing Karen
    here 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

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  13. Dear Karen and Allene
    Reading 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

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  14. 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

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  15. Unfortunately 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.

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  16. Condolences to Allene and family on the sad passing away of Ronald. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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  17. I 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.

    S.Stefanowich

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  18. 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.

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  19. Dear Whispers' Family,

    Thank 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

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  20. 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.

    -MJ

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  21. The decaying body an old
    is 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.

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