Hope by Neamat Haidari , with permission.
Ariadne’s Notes: On June, 14, 1-2 PM, PST, the World Poetry Café Radio Show welcomed poet and writer Herb Bryce (Due to technical difficulties, he will be back on August 2 )and the beautifully talented musician and composer Sara Serpa with her new CD Close Up. Brought to us by our great partners Braitwaite and Katz.
Also on the show was a beautiful poem by Kagan Goh for his father read by Ariadne Sawyer and a Father’s Day poem from Elaine Woo read by our great tech Victor Schwartzman. Another Big Bessie story from Special Volunteer Sharon Rowe was also read by Victor.
W. Bryce is a former journalist and newspaper editor, book editor and teacher. He has been a traveler (kidnapped and robbed), and has worked as a courier and a farm hand. His writings have appeared in anthologies in the United States, in British Columbia, Canada, in the “Fifty-five Plus” annual directory, “Today’s Senior Magazine,” and “Bryce’s Blog for Seniors.” His work is also in several local anthologies. Previous features, and comic strips, have appeared in “The Daily Mirror Book for Boys,” and “…for Girls,” in London, England, where he worked as a book editor. He also plied his journalistic skills with a daily newspaper in Worthing, England. In Canada, he worked at various newspapers in his home province of Saskatchewan, and at The Globe and Mail. Upon his return from his travels in Spain, Portugal, North Africa, the Middle East, etc., he signed on with The Hamilton Spectator. He has a degree in English and Journalism from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, as well as teacher’s certification from the University of Alberta. Mr. Bryce, author of “Ann – A Tribute,” and “Chasing a Butterfly – A journey of love and loss to acceptance,” a book of poetry arising from his decade as care giver to his Alzheimer’s wife, writes from his home in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.
LUCKY ONE
Oh, I have been the lucky one
To have lived and learned with her,
For always it was she,
The happy, doing one,
The giving, caring soul.
Our life has been,
Since those giddy, happy times,
A story of adventure,
One of give and take
And always and for ‘ever,’
Love for each and other’s sake.
How lucky to have met her,
How marvelous she cared.
Forever will I wonder
Why it was she dared
To have belief in me.
But whatever was the mystery,
Always I will cherish
The faith that both we shared
Through our lifelong span together—
So happy we were paired.
And I am not complaining,
Indeed I’m giving thanks,
For what I’ve gained from what she gave
Would enrich, I think, all of Britain’s banks.
And now when she is fading,
And I reflect upon our past,
I see the longer shadow,
The one that she has cast.
Herb W. Bryce (C) All rights reserved by the author.
Ariadne’s Notes: The World Poetry Cafe radio show, January 18, 1-2 PM PST, CFRO , 100.5 FM, with host and producer, Ariadne Sawyer, MA, guest host, Elaine Woo, sound engineer, Victor Schwartzman and special volunteer, Sharon Rowe welcomed the exciting musical collaboration of the talented Andrew Lion and Ruthie Dineen with their new CD, Eternal Life, Jeff Buckley songs and sounds, produced by Negative Press Project. This is a beautiful CD and a tribute to Jeff Buckley. They are planning a tour up the Pacific Coast and we hope to be able to hear them in Vancouver! Also, on the show was poetry from Mamta Agarwal and Elaine Woo plus a peace e-poem by Belloussaief Abderrazek from Tunisia. *Great thanks to Braitwaite and Katz.
