a Sydney candle for Árni

You may have noticed the words in Icelandic a few posts down, provided by Icelandic poet, Árni Ibsen. He has been an integral part of the discussion on the poetryetc email list for the last few years.

We have just received some sad news from Iceland that Árni has suffered a brain haemorrhage and that he is in a coma. The prognosis ranges from 'he'll recover' to 'it's the worst'.

I have never met Árni face-to-face. I had hoped to when I went overseas earlier this year but it was not to be. But I know Árni, I talk to him daily through the wire, and this news is most upsetting to me, to us. The list manager of poetryetc, Alison Croggon, has suggested we light a candle for Árni, and this what I've done all this day and will do so until we know.

Now is the time for actions at all levels and this is one of caring and respecting a good man and a good poet. Get well Árni Ibsen, and let's talk again!

Comments

Suzan Abrams, email: suzanabrams@live.co.uk said…
Hi Jill,
Sorry that this is such a sad entry to say this but I have really enjoyed your poetry and just that almsot surreal romantic feeling that you have given to your diary which is so easy to pick up. I am passing through for the moment but am going to sit down soon to really read your blog (which is interesting and different).
I'll light a candle too, for Arni!
Susan Abraham
http://www.suzanabrams.blogspot.com
06/11/2004, 22:37
Jill Jones said…
Nice that you stopped by, Susan. Thanks for the comments. Interesting how blogs develop their own feel.

We still have candles lit for Árni, and waiting for news from Iceland. We are hoping he will wake up. Thank you.
J
07/11/2004, 10:45
Andrew Burke said…
Jill - a lovely exchange re your blog ... Yes, blogs evolve their own character - I think from their 'blogger', or is that too obvious to say?! I worried that my blog was 'all over the place' and that my photos were only of interest to myself, but others have told me that's why they like 'hispirits'.
Here's hoping Arni is 100% fit one day. He's younger than I am, and is such a good writer.
Cheers -
07/11/2004, 11:30
chris said…
Jill, your post of tribute is lovely to read and raises hope for Arni. I'm keeping a candle, too, and much of my good hope cast above and northeast up unto Iceland as energy vibe for Arni's recovery.

Best Wishes,
chris
07/11/2004, 17:42
Anny Ballardini said…
Hi Jill, and Chris, and Andrew,
a candle has been burning here, too, Arni is one of the best people I have had the chance to meet. A Maestro!
With my compassion and love,
07/11/2004, 19:58
Jill Jones said…
Chris, Anny, and all those who care for Árni,

I feel there is some darkness now over our world. Árni was someone who, I felt, opened us/me up to a wider view. I continue to hold him as a flame within my heart. I am not sure how that flame attaches or is part of the life I lead, except to say: Árni is part of the life I lead, in poetry and as someone who works with words, as an artist, as someone who cares what happens. A candle burns here as, I am sure, it does in many parts of the world.

Hope is more than what we have left. Hope is for future dreaming. I dream that Árni has more to say to us and for us.

JJ
07/11/2004, 22:29
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

vale Jackson Mac Low 1922-2004

Belatedly, wanting to acknowledge the passing of Jackson Mac Low last week. There's an obituary at The New York Times and here's more info on Mac Low . The poem below is from his series of Light Poems. 1ST LIGHT POEM: FOR IRIS -- 10 JUNE 1962 The light of a student-lamp sapphire light shimmer the light of a smoking-lamp Light from the Magellanic Clouds the light of a Nernst lamp the light of a naphtha-lamp light from meteorites Evanescent light ether the light of an electric lamp extra light Citrine light kineographic light the light of a Kitson lamp kindly light Ice light irradiation ignition altar light The light of a spotlight a sunbeam sunrise solar light Mustard-oil light ...
Read more

the smell of rain

I went out for a brief walk this afternoon. It was raining, but not so hard you needed an umbrella (I hate umbrellas anyway). And so very strong, the smell of rain. I remember once reading out a poem of mine and having someone come up after the reading and note that I'd used the phrase 'the smell of rain'. I couldn't tell if he liked it or was simply taking the mickey (the latter, I suspect, as he was a very 'cool' poet and I am, manifestly, not). I wondered about the smell. To me it's always been obvious. But today I decided to go and find, and here , via the ABC and CSIRO, is some hard data. The common rain smell comes from a gas called petrichor. Apparently, volatiles evaporate from plants and are absorbed by rocks, concrete etc. When the rain hits the rock, the volatiles are released into the atmosphere. That's why I can particularly smell it wandering along concrete paths and past sandstone walls. If it's good enough for CSIRO, it's good eno...
Read more

connecting poetry and TED

As well as taking part in events at the Sydney Writers Festival next week, I'll also be doing a quite different gig in Sydney on Saturday 22 May, at the Carriageworks. I will be part of some readings organised by The Red Room , at an event called TEDx, which is taking place in Sydney at CarriageWorks on Saturday 22 May 2010 and featuring, as the website claims, a selection of Australia's leading visionaries and storytellers showcasing their Ideas Worth Spreading LIVE to a group of thinkers ... as well as ONLINE to the world at large"." It's part of something called TED which is described as "a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design" . As for the poetry part it will include Johanna Featherstone from the Red Room making a presentation about the role of poetry in Australian society. To complement Johanna's talk will be rea...
Read more