Jamie was one of the first people to encourage me to continue writing poems when I joined her Wednesday Writing Prompts on “The Poet by Day” blog. She introduced me to The BeZine, PEN America, 100 Poets for Change and a whole world of poets interested in issues of social justice and effecting change with our writing. She and I also shared some commonalities – we’re both from Brooklyn and we both loved the book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, we both lived in northern CA (although I have since moved to PA), her cousin is a priest who taught in a college in the Philippines that my father attended. I felt very connected to her despite only knowing her for a few years at the end of her life.
The world has lost a profound soul when Jamie passed.
I am sending this to you as the sun is setting on the East Coast.
With gratitude and a heavy heart,
The Gatherer
She gathered words into pictures Painting busy country landscapes and quiet city corners Capturing snapshots of people in moments and memories Saturating each word with hues of love, longing, laughter and latitude She gathered people into communities Families sharing interests instead of blood The ideals of justice and equality Coursing through veins of connection She gathered breaths like flowers Gifting us with the perfume of inspiration Scattering petals of thoughts and dreams Planting seedlings of empowerment She gathered accolades and gratitude She gathered love and admiration She gathered a life of purpose And now we gather to remember and honor her
©2020 Irma Do
All rights reserved
The BeZine 