In memory of my father

My father died in 2011 at the age of 93.

I wrote the poem Deepest Shade in 2010 as he was losing the ability to communicate with us. I set it to music soon after. It is finally getting a performance on an inspired concert program by Triad titled Music for a Lifetime. Although it is a piece very much about mourning, it finds the perfect place on this wonderful concert. 

Triad: Boston’s Choral Collective

November 19, 2016 8:00pm, Harvard Epworth Church, 1555 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
November 20, 2016 8:00pm, Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA
(Concert info, Triad info, Triad on Facebook)

Dad and Pam at Apple Fest parade
Dad and Pam outside Coleman House watching Northboro’s Apple Fest parade

Deepest Shade

by Pamela Marshall   April 2010

Long, far and long, and longing
with outstretched arm
for fading light —
it’s evening, the long twilight

words are songs
is thought
is what I know

becoming what
I do not know
fading fading

word become

song become
our refrain is
minor sadder softer oscuro olvido

repeat repeat repeat
by heart — memorized — do not let go
engrave it in a stone-like permanence
never to forget
until night falls
and shadows put my dreams in deepest shade

Dad visiting with us around 1986
Dad visiting with us around 1986
Dad at home in spring 2007
Dad at home in spring 2007

One thought on “In memory of my father

  1. Dear Pam,
    Such a moving tribute to your father.
    Thoughts of Uncle Lee never fail to make me smile, but reading your trbute, brought tears as well.
    We were so fortunate to grow up as we did, amidst the warmth and humor of our families. Thanks for the reminder.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.