obituaries | Gladsome Lights

Annie Dillard has departed this earthly life, which she lived so intensely. She had a strong effect on me and my own writing life, such as it is, for which I am very grateful. I read several of her books, but the last time I really engaged with one was quite a while ago, and I wrote about it here: For the Time Being.

In that essay I used many quotes from the book in my effort to convey what it was about, and what I love about her. Just now in my desire to say a little something in memory of Annie, I offer one of those excerpts, which I think somewhat describes her vision and work:

“Our lives come free; they’re on the house to all comers….
God decants the universe of time in a stream,
and our best hope is, by our own awareness,
to step into the stream and serve,
empty as flumes, to keep it moving.”

Rest in peace, Annie. I think you’re still in the stream, for the time being ❤

Wendell Berry has completed the giving away of himself. Memory eternal.

No, no there is no going back. gl Mortar Rock bay tree
Less and less you are
that possibility you were.
More and more you have become
those lives and deaths
that have belonged to you.
You have become a sort of grave
containing much that was
and is no more in time, beloved
then, now, and always.
And so you become a sort of tree
standing over a grave.
Now more than ever you can be
generous toward each day
that comes, young, to disappear
forever, and yet remain
unaging in the mind.
Every day you have less reason
not to give yourself away.