Ever lost a blogger friend?
Someone you never met in person but whose posts touched your heart and mind?
Or perhaps that person’s writing made you sit up and say: “Wow. I wish I could write like that!”
Such a person was Cynthia Jobin. Her unique voice came through in her marvellous poetry and her responses to comments on her blog. I “heard” it in the email notes she sent me, the reviews of my books that she wrote.
But mostly, in her poems.
Modern poets usually intimidate me because half the time I don’t know what they’re trying to say — making me suspect that I must be deeply superficial.
But Cynthia wrote poetry like no-one else I’d ever read. Deep and moving, yes. But witty, surprising, and funny at times too. You felt you were sharing the joke, not on the outside looking in.
CONVERSATION WITH A CREEK
I will slap your face
I said
and the water said
go right ahead.
I’ll beat you with a stick
I said
and the water said
go right ahead.
I will stomp on you
I said
and the water said
go right ahead.
I’ll cut you with my knife
I said
and the water said
go right ahead.
I will nail you in a box
I said
and the water said
go right ahead
as it glittered
in a zillion squints
of dancing glints
along its pebbly bed.
I may be daft
but that was when
I think I heard
the water laugh.
Cynthia died from cancer days after posting one final poem on December 6, 2016.
An American, Cynthia had entrusted her poems to UK poet John Looker. A new book of her poetry has been published by Bennison Books.
Amazon.com(https://amzn.to/2A8Pq3d)
Amazon UK(https://amzn.to/2NFTF9M)
In the introduction, John Looker writes about Cynthia’s “unobtrusive intellect at work”. It was one of her special gifts: she was undeniably brilliant, but not show-offy about it. Her poetry is accessible, even to me.
“The poems in this collection show that variety of theme and equally her range of tone; she would write just for fun as well as with serious intent.
“When reading a new poem from Cynthia Jobin I have always had that comfortable feeling of being in good hands: we know that the verses are going to be impeccably crafted but we can’t predict what path they will take.”
Thank you, John and Bennison Books.
Brava, Cynthia.
After reading some of her poetry I can see why she made an impression on you. Brava indeed!
She was such a lovely person. I miss her too.
I still miss her.
Beautiful tribute to Cynthia.
Thanks for sharing that delightful poem. Sorry for your loss. Lovely tribute.
Her book is wonderful, and I too am thankful to John, and to Bennison Books. I agree with how brilliant she was, while still being accessible. A lovely tribute, Cynthia. I still miss her too….
Lovely tribute – I still miss her too. I have lived on poetry all my life and Cynthia, whose poetry I discovered via her blog only 18 months before she died, brought me immense joy. I was able to get several copies of her first book of poetry, A Certain Age, with its accompanying CD. I am so grateful that I can still hear her voice. I am also grateful to John Looker for seeing through the project of getting her unpublished poetry and much of the earlier work into an easily available book. All around the world people will continue to delight in her writing and remember her.
Lovely post Cynthia, thank you. She is missed and it is wonderful to read this and share her memory and keep her work alive.
Sorry to hear of her passing. It is interesting how we may not live next door to someone, but we still consider them a friend and feel their loss deeply. A blogging ‘friend’ passed away a couple of weeks back. I still think of her.
Thanks for writing about Cynthia. I miss her. What comments she wrote and conversations she started. And then there was the poetry. I’m glad there’s a collection now.
I didn’t follow Cynthia Jobin and was only vaguely aware of her poetry. But it is wonderful to know that her work, and the affection and love she engendered, continue on. And, I agree, it’s wonderful to discover poetry which we can understand. 🙂 🙂
Thanks for writing about her, Cynthia. That’s such a vivid, uniquely-put poem. Quite a message about Being Water. I’ll look more into her work.
Many of us miss Cynthia still. She was also a marvellous commenter on others’ posts – always insightful and perceptive with just the right words
A beautiful poem, and a touching tribute.
I remember reading this poem and thinking how insightful it was. I am so sorry to hear that she has passed. Thank you for letting us know.
May she rest in peace. I really like the poem you shared.
A very warm tribute, Cynthia. And I enjoyed the water poem. I often hear streams singing, burbling, and maybe even laughing. –Curt
This is a beautiful tribute to Cynthia Jobin. I also enjoyed the water poem. I am sorry she has passed. She will live on through her work, and in the hearts and minds of all whom she has touched. I have bookmarked her site to learn more about her.
Lovely, lovely tribute. Wonderful poem. I especially liked the image of the water laughing.
I write pretty really badly so I’m a bit in awe of that – and the one you linked to. She knew what she was doing didn’t she?
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
MTM
Hurt is hurt, even through the ether. I’m sorry for your loss, Cynthia. And thanks for posting her poem here. I really like it . . .
Such a lovely tribute Cynthia, the poem is delightful .. sorry for the loss of your friend
What a great poem, and undoubtedly, a great and caring soul. I’m sure you were fortunate to know one another.
I felt the lucky one. A remarkable woman.