A Letter and A Poem
for
Blue: Son of Jean
In the Spirit-World in the arms of the God of All Creations
Blue, also our Son:
On September 5 of this year, it will be your first anniversary of the day
when your crossed into the Spirit-World. It is an Apulian tradition, in
this physical world, that when we love someone we celebrate their
anniversary by bringing a gift. I must confess that I have absolutely no
clue as per what gift I should bring to someone who now dwells, under the
protection and guidance of Wings-of-Life (Holy-Spirit and God of all
creations) in the Spirit-World.
I am sure that you already know that I was at the "unveiling" of the stone
where within so much art the pain of a mother is contained and the name of
Alexander "Blue" Smolensky shall forever stand. I wanted to be there and
honor your memory as well as that of my beloved son Alexey, of my father,
of all my Apulian ancestors, and that of all the "children-of-sorrow" who
died tragically, and now travel with you in the Spirit-World under the
guidance of the Wings-of-Life.
As I prayed in the ritual of my ancestors, and I dug my old and tired hand
into the soil which covers and surrounds your heartly remains, somehow, I
felt your presence as well as that of your newly acquired friends in the
Spirit-World. I silently prayed wit Mary: Mother of Kim, as I explained
to her the meaning of "the hand in the soil". In so doing I became one
with your spirit and my prayers and tears are the music that you heard in
the Celestial Kingdom.
I met Benny, one of the few, a survivor of the holocaust. I saw the
tattooed number on his left arm and I already knew that "that" was the
"number of death" placed by the Nazi when he was interned at the
concentration camp at Anchwitz. He adopted me as well as I adopted him.
Of course you saw me and Benny spending most of the time together. We
talked and we cried for the loss of our children. Ironically, in spite of
all that we both have gone through our life, we had absolutely no doubt
that the death of our children was the worst could have happened to both
of us. Can you imagine someone say that the prison time at Anschwitz was
no contest as far as the pain that the loss of a child brings? Well, that
should shut the voices of those who disdained our anguish and our pain for
said loss. Ironically, in spite of the tortures he was subjected by the
Nazis, Benny was quite clear in his statements of forgiveness. I wish I
would be able to learn forgiveness... but.... I seem to have a long way to
go.
I met your grandmother Rosie, another "survivor" of the Jewish holocaust.
Not surprisingly, it was evident that she is a tough woman! How else
could she have survived tha time in the Second World War? Of course, your
Aunt Eve was there with her husband Fred and their daughter Aliza. We all
talked about what parents with children talk about and we measured the
closeness of both our cultures. It is incredible to realize "how similar"
these two cultures are. Kool! In sum, I met the rest of your family and
I was honored by it.
I have absolutely no doubts that you heard the speech your Mother
delivered at the "unveiling". It was so moving that I just could not halt
my tears.... so I cried... making sure that Mary: Mother of Kim would not
notice that. Honestly, I believe she also was crying as well as Letizia.
Hey! How can anyone avoid crying at an occasion such as that? I mean...
it was like a second funeral... wasn't it? Of course, your stepfather Jay
was very busy making sure that all was in order and that everyone's wish
was met. He faked it, in public, that he did not cry. You and I know
better! We both saw his tears. What can I tell you, he is playing the
role of a tough Irishman... but is a softie like us....!
Anyhow, going back to the gift that I would have brought to you at your
first anniversary in the Spirit-World. I decided that my presence at the
"unveiling" was not sufficient and, knowing that you--like Alexey--also
liked and wrote poetry, I decided to write a simple and short poem. I
hope you will like it and that it will bring some comfort to your Mamma.
Here is was the Goddess of Arts & Poetry suggested:
In September Our Child Was Gone!
by
Nicola Berardi: The "grieving father" of Alexey Ilyushin
Nov. 07, 1975-June 24, 1996)
Written in Memory of Alexander Blue Smolensky
On September 1, 1997
It was the day when September reached Five,
when the summer is ending and cold are the nights.
The time when blue with much white is the sky,
and the birds of summer prepare their southward flight.
That was the day when Blue, our child, was gone!
The innocent child strength and beauty brought and charm,
as with other gifts and virtues into our lives he was born.
Hope to others he brought and their anguish extinguished,
to comfort his soul unable he was, by heavy pain was torn.
It was in September that day that our child was gone!
In the Spirit-World where celestial are the sounds and colors,
now with others travels the child with Light and no more pain.
In heavenly deeds and loving thoughts the child endeavors,
as for the peace he prays for the mother her heart to regain.
It is now in September, when our child was gone!
With many friends and much joy the brightest stars he rides,
happily playing where only of love are the thoughts and pure.
From love to Grace and back, under the Wings-of-Life he flies,
as to others who are lost and in pain, his comfort never denies.
It was in the Fifth day of September that, Blue, our child was gone!
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Now I have to conclude this letter-and-poem to you, Son, and I wish to ask
you to--please--remind Alexey that tomorrow is the day when his Mamma will
be able and ready to hear from him, and obtain the comfort she needs and
deserves. Additionally remind also the newly acquired friends in the
Spirit-World to follow Alexey and make their presence known at said
meeting. I know Alexey would love to show up with a large crowd. After
all, when in this physical world he was very gregarious... just like you
were.
O children of sorrow in the Spirit-World, "May our tears and prayers be
the music you hear, as you travel through the Spirit-World, looking for
the place where we shall all meet again. May the Wings-of-Life be always
with you and keep you always in the Light of the presence of the God of
all creations."
Nicola (the grieving father of Alexey)
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