This Summer we received the sad news that Russ Nelson died on June 30. Russ and his wife, Julie O’Mara, have been regular participants in the reading series for several years. Members of the community who knew Russ shared memories and poems for and by our friend at Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic on August 11.
In October a celebration of life was held at Frenchman’s Bar in Vancouver, WA.
For Julie (Russ’s spouse)
By Toni Lumbrazo Luna
Hold close loved ones
feel the nearness—not
broken by space and
time—but living on,
inside us—by memory,
in dreams—
it is what we have
always—nesting
within our hearts.
Unending Conversation with Russ
By Christopher Luna
lean in
close enough
to enjoy the shape
of my straw hat
hear the
conspiratorial
rumbling
of tales of
man’s folly
magical forests
and great literature
later we’ll
stand on the sidewalk
truly enjoy each other
as we contemplate
the new world
our kindnesses
might create
PRINTED MATTER VANCOUVER 