Some fragments for Wendy

On Friday, July 8th, my sister Wendy disappeared while on vacation in La Paz, Mexico.

     where are you going
     in your hat and
     yellow sandals --

Her body was found the next day.
We were ourselves on holiday, and it took the family to the end of Saturday to find us.

     after a death the phone
     rings and rings --
     starlings
     at the neck of the hawk

We had to drive home, of course. Through the summer countryside.

     the painter dead --
     to whom can I show
     this sorghum -- burnt umber

11 Comments

amy said:

My condolences, Erin, to you and your family on this terrible loss.

love

amy

July 12, 2005 4:05 AM

SB said:

Erin, I have no words.

July 12, 2005 11:14 AM

Pearl said:

I’m sorry to hear of this loss Erin.

July 12, 2005 3:10 PM

Linea said:

So sad to hear of this. You will be in my prayers.

July 12, 2005 3:49 PM

Cathy said:

Sorry to hear about your sister

July 12, 2005 7:47 PM

Lisa-Marie said:

I am sorry for your loss.

July 13, 2005 1:26 PM

Alexa said:

Erin…James…Sending you all my love…feeling such sorrow with you…holding you in my thoughts.

July 13, 2005 3:15 PM

Brianna said:

Oh God, Erin. I feel like throwing up. I’m so sorry. I’ll light a candle for Wendy tonight on our iconostasis.

July 14, 2005 2:03 PM

patricioduran said:

I deeply regret I could not afford airline tickets on such short notice, but just as Wendy left for Omaha, Lars gave me his permission to kiss Wendy goodby.

We will live with a huge hole in our lives as Wendy’s flowers will live forever.

My deepests condolences to others who are sharing terrible pain at this time.

Patricio

July 15, 2005 4:22 AM

Karla said:

I love words, I adore language - and sometimes they are so useless.

I am so sorry for your loss.

July 15, 2005 4:10 PM

Patry said:

I read your words.

I looked at her paintings.

I don’t know you, but I am so sorry for your loss.