Some things take time, a lot of time. Last year I began the conversation with Robyn about the most recent poems that would be printed to celebrate and honour her daughter Sophie's life. Over a number of years Robyn has selected a poet to honour Sophie. We have worked together to then bring the poems into being, in a beautiful manner - beauty really mattered to Sophie (a highly accomplished young poet, who died aged 22).
Each edition is a numbered edition of 22 only, to reflect Sophie's age when she died, and I have been involved in different ways - sometimes large, sometimes small, but always with a sense of how special it is to be involved in such a beautiful honouring.
In 2019 the work was called Sometimes the Soul - see here.
In 2017 the work was a piece Sophie herself had written, Self Portrait as a Reflection see here.
Along the way Robyn and I spoke of our delight in unbound books, allowing the reader to move through the book in their own way. And this was the approach chosen for Nathan's poems.
Whilst Nathan does suggest a reading sequence, (starting with 22!), you are free to wander through the words as you wish.
For the second time, Robyn has also chosen to create a small poster with all of the poems within it - a chance for more than 22 people to enjoy the words.
And the mundane continues - with lots of cards being printed and illustrated - here is a birthday bouquet!
Sophie's poetry is wondrous ... what a loss, on so many levels ... and to honor her life thusly is so fitting
ReplyDeleteNathan's words are stunning ... I started to write down his amazing turns of phrase until there were too many and I just stopped writing and let the reading of them carry me ... heart broken in the end
thank you so much for sharing, I have gone to her website and am in awe of the poetry she wrote at such a young age
ReplyDeleteI like what you've done to honor Sophie. Such a moving story !
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