Thanks Vivian and Judy for forwarding this information. The fact that it happens to any of us at this age is to be expected, but that it took place two months ago shocked me into recognition of how close what seems far away can actually be.
Steven
I checked in with Peter after our return from Germany and his from Montreal with his granddaughter. He reported that his several undiagnosed health conditions have him walking with a cane. He mentioned that he’s been thinking about King Lear these days. I was prompted to send him this poem by Johann von Goethe and my effort at translation
An old man is always a King Lear
Whoever embraced or grappled with you
Has long since taken off.
Whoever loved or suffered with you
Is busy elsewhere.
The young are here for themselves.
It would be stupid to protest.
Come on with me old fella.
December 1942-March 2022
Dear Bob
Deborah phoned me with word of your death a couple of weeks ago. Since then, you’ve been more present to me than even during the intense emails we’ve exchanged since the reunion I attended at your home in 1996. I regretfully declined to join any more of them because of the difficulty I’ve always experienced relating to individuals within the framework of the group. With no one was that contradiction between social and individual relationships more pronounced than with you.
Back in Netherland Park your role as the classic alpha male made you seem larger than life and me to almost disappear as the tiny omega called “mousie.” And when the girl I’d been in love with since fourth grade started going with you the annihilation felt complete. (more…)