Haiku

Tribute to James G Brennan

Goodbye James!

Goodbye James! Handwritten Haiku by author.

Drifted, parted — gone
Riding your own wave in awe
So you did, dear James!

Your paradise¹ of
Sun, sea, sand, coconut trees,
Eudaimonia³!

Tonight we gather
In honour of your candour
for that one last bow

Remembered fondly
You will be, gallant comrade
Always, friend, always!

Viraji Ogodapola © October, 2023.

Dedicated to the many delightful moments shared and dearly cherished memories of James G Brennan within this writers’ community.

• I have no doubts that you lived in your notion of paradise¹ — I know that your soul was at peace always, for such benevolence as what you held can only spring from within. And, you already did your own R.I.P Karma². I shall, therefore, spare the vain.
• There’s only one way to let you know that you will be remembered fondly — and that is with your signature parting — always, my friend, always!
• Although we called for words of tribute over at Scrittura alongside Paroma announcing of his passing away, as I was penning this handwritten tribute in Haiku, I realized that this belongs to Paper Poetry — which was a dearer home to James. Over to you, therefore, Suntonu Bhadra, Carolyn Hastings and Indubala Kachhawa.
• 1 — Eudaimonia Paradise:

Eudaimonia Paradise

• 2 — R.I.P Karma:

R.I.P Karma

• 3 — In his own words;

Going to sleep with the sound of the waves rocking us into slumber, well me anyway, waking to the sound of the sea, crashing into the restaurant on a stormy day driven by a thunderstorm; perfect.

• As fate would’ve had it, the very last time James spoke to me was through a verse I wrote about dying!
• Off we go my friend, for ever and ever:

For Ever and Ever