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  #41  
Unread 04-22-2019, 09:47 AM
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Ann Drysdale Ann Drysdale is online now
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Thank you for the memory, Gregory.

(And, if you play with the buttons at the top and bottom, Next and Previous, you will find other appreciations of John and his work, beginning with an interview with Paul Stevens and ending with a fine selection of John's poems. Well found, Gregory.)
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  #42  
Unread 04-22-2019, 09:50 AM
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Don Jones Don Jones is offline
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A generous spirit with a warm and at times piquant sense of humor. He shall be missed. Above all, the warmth and accessibility - as person and poet.
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  #43  
Unread 04-22-2019, 10:44 AM
Gregory Dowling Gregory Dowling is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann Drysdale View Post
(And, if you play with the buttons at the top and bottom, Next and Previous, you will find other appreciations of John and his work, beginning with an interview with Paul Stevens and ending with a fine selection of John's poems. Well found, Gregory.)
Ann, unlike me, is too modest to mention that if you click "next", you will find a fine appreciation of John by herself, including two poems for him. I had forgotten the occasion for which I wrote the essay and am very happy to be reminded of what fine company I found myself in (including, along with Ann, Alan Brownjohn, Sam Gwynn, Harry Chambers and Wendy Cope). And the interview with Paul Stevens, that Ann mentions.
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  #44  
Unread 04-22-2019, 12:16 PM
F.F. Teague F.F. Teague is offline
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Hi Ann,

I'm so sorry to read this :-(

I'd noticed that John had stopped posting, but I didn't know he was ill. I just thought he was busy elsewhere and I hoped he'd be back at some point. I never met him in person, but on the 'sphere I found him incredibly funny. Many of his posts caused me to cry with laughter. I also thought he was warm and kind.

With condolences,
Fliss
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  #45  
Unread 04-22-2019, 02:24 PM
James Brancheau James Brancheau is offline
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Terrible news. What's most endearing to me was his ability to go on tangents, no matter the thread. And Michael C showing up with a wtf comment. And like Michael, we were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. In poetry, too, or it seemed to me at one time. I think he found a lot of the essence I continue to look for and I admire his work. I'll miss him.
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  #46  
Unread 04-23-2019, 03:26 AM
Rob Stuart Rob Stuart is offline
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Oh my goodness, I've just returned from abroad to see this very sad news. I was fortunate enough to meet John (if only the once) but I felt I got to know him pretty well through conversations on the sphere. Some of his political commentary made me gnash my teeth with fury (Sell the BBC to Murdoch? Really? Really?), but he was a terrific poet and always unfailingly kind about my hamfisted doggerel, and doubtless that of many other writers here. RIP.
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  #47  
Unread 04-23-2019, 02:13 PM
Mark Blaeuer Mark Blaeuer is offline
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I didn't know him, either, except for brief contacts here. He was certainly a fine poet, and I echo the calls for a selected and/or collected. My condolences to all his family and friends.
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  #48  
Unread 04-23-2019, 03:39 PM
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Jayne Osborn Jayne Osborn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Anthony View Post
Does anyone know when and where John ‘s funeral will be?
David,
I've just been talking to John's wife, Doreen, and the funeral date isn't known yet, ...only that it's not going to be before May 15th, and will probably be in Canterbury.

Doreen was delighted to hear of all the lovely tributes to John from his Spherean friends, which she will get to see in due course.

Once the funeral arrangements have been made Annie or I will post the details here.

Jayne
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  #49  
Unread 04-24-2019, 04:41 PM
David Anthony David Anthony is offline
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Thanks, Jayne. I will come if I can.
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  #50  
Unread 04-24-2019, 05:29 PM
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Jayne Osborn Jayne Osborn is offline
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It will be good to see you again, David, if it pans out that way.

One of the more beneficial aspects, I suppose, of going to a funeral is just that -- catching up with people, both relatives and friends, you haven't seen for some time...
I will have been to four funerals in almost as many weeks, though, by the time I go to John's, which is rather too many for my liking.

Jayne
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