Passing of a poetry friend - Peter R

[Stella Read]

Recently, I was made aware of the passing of dear poetry friend. Some of the members of this forum may remember Peter R, branchypete, R Peter from his time at Poetry Circle and various other writing groups over many years.

This news is greatly distressing. Peter passed quite suddenly in January of this year.

Please add your voice to this tribute to Peter, a multi-faceted individual, an eccentric, clever man. I’m certain that many of the members here had exchanges with and were moved by his insights into their writing. Many of you will also have counted him amongst your poetry friends.


Thank you, Jay, for allowing me to post this tribute on the Open Arts Forum.

Stella Read
stellar411@hotmail.com

 

[Trish Saunders]

I did not know Peter, Stella, but if he was a friend of yours and other writers, I'm sorry for the loss of him. Maybe you could post one of his poems here?

 

[Stella Read]

Thank you, Trish. Many of his posts were on discussion threads. So much is unsaved or hiding in full sight.
I came across an old one pen from the days when Peter still used BranchyPete. Although there is no date attached,
I thought I'd share here.
It made me smile.


I Should

I should really decorate my flat
or fall in love
or snorkel around Borneo or somewhere

but it's nice by the unlit fire,
the clock in the fridge
and last year's Bulgarian on my lap.

I think tomorrow I'll go and stand in a field.

BranchyPete

 

[Jay Dougherty]

I like that poem, Stella. Thanks for letting us know. It’s been a while, but I believe I fondly remember Peter and his work.

 

[Roger Fizzerton]

It’s so sad to hear the news about Peter. I had very many conversations with him on the old Poetry Circle site, and will always remember his great wit and humour. He was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.

 

[Doug Flaherty]

Hello, Stella. I did not know Peter, but I am sorry to learn of his passing. A lot of months have passed and perhaps you have gone beyond the hurt to remember not only his poetry, but the special person he was to you.

 

[Stella Read]

Jay, I found the poem in an old file. It speaks to his unpredictable nature. Thanks for your kindness.

Roger, I was equally saddened to hear of his passing. Thank you so much for your adding your thoughts here.

Doug, so much appreciate that you took the time to voice your understanding of grief. We share more than words in poetry sites. Thank you.

 

[Doug Flaherty]

Yes, Stella, well put: "We share more than words in poetry sites." You said a lot in one sentence.

 

[Trish Saunders]

I like that poem. I wish that I had known this man.

 

[Jay Dougherty]

How did Peter die, Stella? This has been quite a year of loss.

 

[Jay Dougherty]

Thank you, Trish. Many of his posts were on discussion threads. So much is unsaved or hiding in full sight.
I came across an old one pen from the days when Peter still used BranchyPete. Although there is no date attached,
I thought I'd share here.
It made me smile.


I Should

I should really decorate my flat
or fall in love
or snorkel around Borneo or somewhere

but it's nice by the unlit fire,
the clock in the fridge
and last year's Bulgarian on my lap.

I think tomorrow I'll go and stand in a field.

BranchyPete

I wonder whether we could publish some of his work on the front page here.

 

[Stella Read]

There may be a few of his poems in the archives of Poetry Circle. I'll have a look on my external HD. Peter's contributions in the forum were often to support other writers and to encourage alternative views on the Discussion Board. He had extensive musical knowledge. I'll let you know what I can find.