Dear Poetic Bloomings Loved Ones,
It is with great sadness that I share with you the news that our dear fellow Poetic Bloomings poet, Dyson McIllwain, has passed from this world to the next. He has been missed, and I’ve been to his poetry blog more than once to try to check on him. His daughter Kairn kindly left word for all of us on his site, “Say Aye to the Heart”:
https://ayetotheheart.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/sadness-and-regret/#comment-96.
Kairn shared his last written words with us:
IF MY WORDS SHOULD DIE by Dyson Douglas McIllwain
If my words should die afore me,
t’would be the cruelest thing
to ne’er hear their tender voice,
nor hear their fervent ring.
Silence would befall my heart
afore death gathers in,
and as my poor soul shall depart
would leave not clamour, nor din.
The soul from which compassion comes
would wither then and cease,
a muse no longer to express
of heart and mind deceased.
If my words should die afore me
my memory will fade,
the spears and arrows of my fate
will be the price so paid.
But shall I pass afore my words,
then in them I shall live,
for they will speak my final say
and comfort they will give.
They will live as they had lived in me,
much life to give within their breath,
and I am sure I will be remembered
well then after death.
~~~
To my knowledge, Dyson never saw his poem in print in “Poetic Bloomings – the first year.” I’m thankful he knew, though, that he was included.
My interview with him may be found here:
http://poeticbloomings.com/2012/01/04/web-wednesday-dyson-mcillwain/
.
Dyson, it was our joy to count you among us. Rest in peace now, friend.
March 6th, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Thank you so much for letting us know, Marie. My heart aches for his family, and for the world having lost his amazing words.
March 6th, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Thanks for sharing this sad news, Marie. Condolences to the family of a great poet.
March 6th, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Thank you Marie for informing us. It was an honour to share Dyon’s company here, an even greater honour that he, a far greater poet than I will ever be, flattered me. I mourn for his family and his loss to the poetic world.
I’ll take a dram and toast the life and work of a fellow Scot who will be sadly missed <3
March 6th, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Great sadness for this loss to our world. And at the same time so much gratitude for Dyson’s powerful voice. This poem is a fitting tribute. Rest in peace.
March 6th, 2013 at 5:12 PM
How very sad…a wonderfully lyric poetic voice silenced very much too soon. Thanks for letting us know Marie Elena.
March 6th, 2013 at 5:39 PM
I am shocked and saddened by this news. A great poet gone too soon.
March 6th, 2013 at 5:45 PM
I never knew this man, but this is still very sad news to me. His words are amazing.
March 6th, 2013 at 6:22 PM
I’m please to see the kind messages being left at Say Aye to the Heart. I’m sure that will mean a great deal to Kairn and the rest of the family.
I love Dyson’s tribute poem to Kairn: https://ayetotheheart.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/wee-bonnie-kairn/
It makes me think of our own Walt and his beautiful daughters, whom he admires greatly.
Marie Elena
March 6th, 2013 at 6:33 PM
But shall I pass afore my words,
then in them I shall live,
for they will speak my final say
and comfort they will give.
They will live as they had lived in me,
much life to give within their breath,
and I am sure I will be remembered
well then after death.
Such a comfort indeed…I echo Marie’s sentiment about being glad he was in our numbers…truly. Much ♥ in his memory…
March 6th, 2013 at 6:50 PM
Thank you for letting us know this distressing news. Dyson was a wonderful poet. He will be remembered well.
March 6th, 2013 at 6:55 PM
I came too late to Poetic Bloomings to know this poet well, but from Marie’s post I am wishing I had been more familiar with him and his wonderful words. I pray for comfort for his dear ones and that the impress of his thought and passion continue through his work.
March 6th, 2013 at 6:56 PM
I find it difficult to find the words. He had many wonderful thing to say about me in his interview with Marie. I was humbled then, and even more so now. God had blessed up with Dyson’s presence however briefly. Thank you, Dyson.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:11 PM
Ahhh, such sad news. Thanks, Marie, for passing the info along. He will be missed.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:23 PM
I always enjoyed Dyson’s way with words (and a fellow Scottish heart). Thanks for letting us know, Marie.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:24 PM
He will surely be ‘remembered well then after is death” Our sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. It is always sad when a poet dies
When a Poet Dies…
When a poet dies
Even nature hangs its head
Mourning with earth’s fellow-men
For the artist that is dead
Honor-rendered beauty
Beneath his touch is still
No more are we delighted
By the nuance of his quill
When a poet dies
We cling to what remains
His heart spilled into images
And word-whispered refrains
Ah, when a poet dies
He leaves a legacy
Of tender, timeless portraits
Woven into poetry
© Janet Martin
Rest in Peace, Dyson.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:29 PM
What a lovely and fitting tribute, Janet. “Tender, timeless portraits woven into poetry” is so very lovely – and so “you.”
Marie Elena
March 6th, 2013 at 8:47 PM
Thank you for this Janet. I’m sure Dyson would have appreciated the tribute, as beautiful as it is.
March 6th, 2013 at 9:28 PM
So Lovely, Janet!!
March 6th, 2013 at 7:26 PM
How is it that one so distant in miles can be so near to one’s heart as Dyson was to many of us? Though I knew him only a wee bit, and that only through Bloomings and the times I dropped into his website, I still feel diminished that I knew so little of him or his work. He’ll be gracing others with his words now.
I feel blessed to have Marie to keep an eye on each of us and to pass on news of us, even as she did with this news of our friend and fellow poet, Dyson. Thank you, my friend.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:30 PM
You are all dear to me, Clauds.
Marie
March 6th, 2013 at 7:48 PM
I know. That’s what makes it all the sweeter, Marie.
March 6th, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Yes Marie. Thank-you so much for your compassion and thoughtfulness!
March 6th, 2013 at 9:29 PM
Yes, always!!
March 6th, 2013 at 7:42 PM
This is very sad. Thank you, Marie, for telling us and also leading us to Karin’s beautiful tribute to Dyson.
March 6th, 2013 at 9:16 PM
I misspelled Kairn’s name, I’m sorry.
March 6th, 2013 at 8:41 PM
Thank you for this tribute Marie. I must admit I did not pay close enough attention to remember Dyson, but I enjoyed his last poem and the poetic tribute to Karin. Oh, and listening to the bagpipes was fun.
If his picture was current, he looked much too young to die.
March 6th, 2013 at 9:24 PM
Ohh… I am so sad… I send my condolences to his family! I will miss his words!!
March 6th, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Thank you, Marie, for letting us know and for the tribute to Dyson. I remember his work both here and at PA so well. I hope it comforts Kairn that her father touched lives with the vitality of his presence in his poems and comments. I’m deeply sorry for her and our loss of a splendid poetic spirit.
March 7th, 2013 at 5:10 AM
Sad news indeed. His words do indeed live on, which gives us all a reason to continue.
March 7th, 2013 at 11:31 AM
In Memoriam, Dyson Douglas McIllwain
For when it’s time, and all is said and done,
what are we but a legacy of sand
and wind? Best we could hope for? A good run.
But is that what matters? Was it all grand?
What are we but a legacy of sand?
We leave behind scattered words, tossed and blown.
But is that what matters? Was it all grand?
We’re here for a brief while; then gone. Alone.
You’ve left behind scattered words, tossed and blown
I long for your scattered words…for a sign…
You were here for a while; then gone. Alone,
except for my thoughts, swirled in bitter wine.
I long for your scattered words…for a sign…
for when it’s time, and all is said and done,
(except for my thoughts, swirled in bitter wine)
there’s wind. So, Godspeed. You had a good run.
###
March 7th, 2013 at 4:44 PM
RJ, this is just wonderful. So thoughtful, sincere, and well done.
Thank you.
Marie
March 8th, 2013 at 10:17 AM
I was so sorry to learn of Dyson’s passing. I published his work in my Pun-ku Issue at The Word Place and hoped to invite him back to submit more of his powerful work. May this good man and poet rest in God’s peace.
March 9th, 2013 at 9:16 AM
[...] would be posted. True Silence came to fruition with the news of our loss of Dyson McIllwain (http://poeticbloomings.com/2013/03/06/in-memory-of-dyson-douglas-mcillwain/.) Where we looked for this “true silence” to offer us peace, Mr. McIllwain found [...]
March 11th, 2013 at 8:59 AM
This was very sad news. I was a fan of his at PA. However, with both the interview and his amazing poetry, there is a part of him that will never pass away. Thank you Marie and Walt.