[David Anthony]

Jayne and I were there to represent the poetry community.
Jayne delivered an excellent eulogy, referencing Eratosphere and John's involvement in it.
The weather and the country scenery were perfect.
It was good to meet John's family for the first time.

[Mary McLean]

Thanks Jayne and David. I would have liked to go but am in Canada. I'm glad it was a good send off.

[Michael Cantor]

Thank you, Jayne and David.

[Ann Drysdale]

Thanks indeed, both of you. In the end I couldn't make it but was very glad you did.

[Mark McDonnell]

Yes, thanks both. Rest in peace, John.

[Susan McLean]

Hello, everyone,
I wanted to let you know that there was a tribute panel for John this morning at the Poetry by the Sea conference in Madison, Connecticut. Karen Kelsay was chairing the session. I read an appreciation of John's poetry (including his poem "Little"), Susan de Sola read the memoir and poem that Ann Drysdale had written about him, I read a letter of reminiscence from Janet Kenny about him, Melissa Balmain read a letter from Chris O'Carroll (including John's poem "Procedure"), and I read excerpts from a review by Joseph Salemi of Girlie Gangs. Then Peter Davies read four poems of John's (one in a Birmingham accent), followed by readings of his poems by Susan de Sola, Julie Kane, Charlotte Innes, and Melissa Balmain. We ended by inviting the audience to speak about their own responses to and memories of John and his poetry. Some of the audience were unfamiliar with his work, and were delighted to encounter it. There were many laughs during the readings. I think it was a fitting celebration of him, and I hope he would have been happy with it. I am sorry that it could not be taped, since Kim had worries about copyright issues, but it was a bright point in our day, the last day of the conference.

Susan

[Ann Drysdale]

Thank you, Susan, and everyone who came together to make this happen. He would have loved it.

[David Anthony]

Lovely to hear this, Susan.

[Jayne Osborn]

That indeed was a lovely tribute to John, Susan.

Thank you to all the poets who contributed to it. It's great to know that John has already acquired some new fans; he will live on through his poems.

Jayne

[Erik Olson]

Thank you, David and Susan. It is heartening to hear these tributes, both of them. Jayne tells certain truth. Thank you, Jayne.