Today three years ago, my dear friend Claude died.
I am still sad, miss her, and at the same time I am grateful that once in 2008 she stumbled upon Omnium and thus allowed me to meet an extraordinary woman.
For many years Claude used to live with Innuit as a nurse.
Today I share with you one of the photos she took and one of her poems.
Thank you for everything, Claude. De tout coeur.
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A MAN MUST FACE HIMSELF I hung two sealskins on my wall.... Some people say 'Oh! the poor dear things!' with pity in their hearts, while chewing bloody steak and cuddling in fur coats. And I think of Jonahsie magnificently himself: a Man, hunter by destiny spearing the seals, with no guilt in his soul, no pity in his heart, but beaming pride that his day-work was done: the best for his kin--- and that's all he could do... And I think of Kakee, his wife, cleaning, stretching, smoothing, sewing the skins with a skill as old as the Woman called Eve, and bringing me the gift with beaming pride: the best for a friend--- and that's all she could give... And I wonder why we worry about who eats whom when Life is a cycle? We all prey, and we grow feeding on each other. A seal a breathing tomato an egg that could be born a drink of pure water a flower for a vase some grass to walk upon the warmth of the sun, of a smile, of a body a poem for a soul and stars to fill a dream. I hung two sealskins on my wall... A Man must face himself and accept it! Claude Prévost Gamble (June 1970) |
