Ariadne’s Notes: The World Poetry Café on April 13, 1-2 pm, CFRO 100.5 FM was honoured to present the talented and unique featured poet Herb W. Bryce featuring his new book :
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. Also discussed were tips and advice about Alzheimer and caregiving. http://www.alzheimer.ca/bc
The show was dedicated in loving memory to David Campagna the soulmate and husband of poetess and artist Carolyn Mary Kleefeld with two poems read from her Book, The Divine Kiss, an Exhibition of Paintings and Poems in honor of David Campagna.
The World Poetry Café Team: Ariadne Sawyer, host and producer, Elaine Woo, co-host, Victor Schwartzman , super engineer, Sharon Rowe, special volunteer and doggie sitter for Willow, Victor’s dog and part of the team.
Herb 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.
He was recently the featured writer in the Royal City’s Word Play at Work magazine:
https://issuu.com/rclas/docs/february_2017_rclas_ezine
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.
Previously, 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 is 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.
