This is a shock, moreover a personal shock. Tom
was so much to so many, with his energy, his wisdom,
his politics... his performance... and his poetry.
He did so much for so many, he did so much for me.
i will take a wedge of stone
chisel it with gentleness
grind it with entusiasm
polish it with peace
remembering him
all the while
until the world is
split off from its injustices
carved away from its wars
Love & Peace,
Gerald Schwartz
>
> > The sad message below just in from Dan Wilcox. Tom Nattell was a great
> > spirit here in Albany, NY -- the guiding light behind the "town" (as
> > against, or rather parellel to, the "gown") poetry scene for more than
> > 20 years -- the indefatigable organizer of yearly anti-war, anti-aids
> > readings, of wonderful summer poetry events at the foot of the Robbie
> > Burns statue in Washington Park, the neo-beat organiser who would bring
> > the likes of Ferlinghetti, Ed Sanders or Anne Waldman to town, and who
> > could be found at all anti-war rallies. He created and for 10 years
> > hosted Albany's oldest continuous open mic series at the QE2 nightclub.
> > At parties Tom was always eager to talk not only to the poets but to
> > everyone -- my son Miles remembers him fondly for talking with him at
> > length & for teaching him how to juggle with fruit -- and, says Miles,
> > for his incredibly cool green beret. Tom was the heart & soul of the
> > Albany poetry scene, and a great poet-performer himself (often with Dan
> > Wilcox and Charlie Rossiter as the "Three guys from Albany" -- who
> > among other things travelled to all the Albanys in the country to do
> > readings. Check out their epic "Central Avenue" :
> > http://www.poetrypoetry.com/Features/3Guys/3Guys.html).
> > He will be sorely missed -- may his spirit travel unhindered wherever
> > it has to travel to, and may it visit us often for inspiration and
> > courage. -- Pierre
> >
> > "It is with great sorrow that I must report the death of our friend Tom
> > Nattell early this morning.
> > He died peacefully at home with those he loved. I had been over
> > earlier & read poetry to him.
> > And it is with great joy that I recall the hours & days & words & miles
> > I spent with him.
> > He will live on in all that he left behind in the poetry community & in
> > the community at large.
> >
> > When I have details about services, etc. I will pass them on.
> >
> > Peace,
> > DWx:
> >
> >
> > =================================================
> > "Lyric poetry has to be exorbitant or not at all." -- Gottfried Benn
> > =================================================
> > For updates on readings, etc. check my current events page:
> > http://albany.edu/~joris/CurrentEvents.html
> > =================================================
> > Pierre Joris
> > 244 Elm Street
> > Albany NY 12202
> > h: 518 426 0433
> > c: 518 225 7123
> > o: 518 442 40 85
> > email: [log in to unmask]
> > http://www.albany.edu/~joris/
> > =================================================
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