My father died in 2011 at the age of 93.
I wrote the poem Deepest Shade in 2010 as he was losing the ability to communicate with us. I set it to music soon after. It is finally getting a performance on an inspired concert program by Triad titled Music for a Lifetime. Although it is a piece very much about mourning, it finds the perfect place on this wonderful concert.
Triad: Boston’s Choral Collective
November 19, 2016 8:00pm, Harvard Epworth Church, 1555 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
November 20, 2016 8:00pm, Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA
(Concert info, Triad info, Triad on Facebook)
Deepest Shade
by Pamela Marshall April 2010
Long, far and long, and longing
with outstretched arm
for fading light —
it’s evening, the long twilight
words are songs
is thought
is what I know
becoming what
I do not know
fading fading
word become
song become
our refrain is
minor sadder softer oscuro olvido
repeat repeat repeat
by heart — memorized — do not let go
engrave it in a stone-like permanence
never to forget
until night falls
and shadows put my dreams in deepest shade
Dear Pam,
Such a moving tribute to your father.
Thoughts of Uncle Lee never fail to make me smile, but reading your trbute, brought tears as well.
We were so fortunate to grow up as we did, amidst the warmth and humor of our families. Thanks for the reminder.