A Website for Condolences, and a Poem.

Saturday, April 23 2011

A Website for Condolences, and a Poem.

Yesterday, a friend at The New York Times, upon editing and posting the At War entry about the blessing of the bodies of Anatoly Nagaiko, Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington, sent me two poems. The deaths in Misurata, she said, summoned them to mind.

Every so often you read a poem — or a book, a passage, a play, a transcript —that makes you wonder why you trouble to write. This is because you understand, long before you finish reading what is in your hands, that you will never match what is before your eyes, and ringing in your mind.

The first poem, shared at precisely a moment when it was most welcome — because none of what happened really happened, right? — is one of these. It’s titled “Could Have,” by Wislawa Szymborska, and translated below from the Polish. (Thank you, Rogene.)

It could have happened.
It had to happen.
It happened earlier. Later.
Nearer. Farther off.
It happened, but not to you.

You were saved because you were the first.
You were saved because you were the last.
Alone. With others.
On the right. The left.
Because it was raining. Because of the shade.
Because the day was sunny.

You were in luck — there was a forest.
You were in luck — there were no trees.
You were in luck — a rake, a hook, a beam, a brake,
A jamb, a turn, a quarter-inch, an instant …

So you’re here? Still dizzy from
another dodge, close shave, reprieve?
One hole in the net and you slipped through?
I couldn’t be more shocked or
speechless.
Listen,
how your heart pounds inside me.

The Hetherington family has set up a website where visitors can leave condolences for Tim. Please visit. Soon you will also be able to make donations there for a charity they are establishing in his memory.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH

The stern ramp of the Ionian Spirit as the vessel tied off on the pier in Benghazi, Libya Thursday night. Inside were Anatoly, Chris and Tim. The first leg of their journey was done. The vessel reminds: Bryan and I are packing again, about to take another trip. I’ll hope to be back here soon.