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Naomi Schwartz

8/14/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
I lost my dear friend and long time editor Naomi Schwartz. Cancer made an anguished shell of her. But this how I’ll remember her: book in hand, barefoot, bathed in light. She was always telling me, "it’s okay to leave a work unfinished." She didn’t mean undone, incomplete. She meant imperfect, open. So I’ve left this picture unfinished, with white space and pencil marks to show where she lives in my imagination and the divine mystery of where she’s gone.

I was listening, Naomi. Even when I disagreed, I was listening. We all have literary mothers. Some of them are monuments like Toni Morrison. Others are humble, crazy-haired, big-hearted adopted aunts, who feed you books, and whisper over and over: Keep going. Just keep going.

Thank you Naomi. 😢❤️

2 Comments
Cheryl Shell
3/24/2021 07:57:29 am

Oh, I'm so sorry Naomi has left us. I knew she was dying, but I didn't know if and when it happened. She was a wonderful spirit for me when we both were grad students at UC Davis. She saved me from despair once with a pair of wax earplugs; I was separated from my husband, living in the dorm with some very noisy suite mates. I desperately needed sleep and she provided it, simply and easily. It was a "well, duh" moment for me and I was so grateful. I loved her poetry, her joie de vivre, her ability to keep going through all life's twists and turns. I will miss her.

Reply
Mary
4/5/2021 08:47:58 am

Hello Cheryl, Thank you for this comment. Naomi saved me from despair many times over. I still hear her voice in my head. I miss very much. Write to me any time. The community Naomi created lives on. I'd love to know you!

Reply



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  • Home
  • Books
    • Reliance, Illinois >
      • How I came to Write Reliance, Illinois
    • Crown of Dust >
      • How I Came to Write Crown of Dust
  • Writing
    • Blog
  • About Mary
    • contact
    • CV
    • News and Interviews >
      • Links
  • Sketches
  • Alta Mesa Center for the Arts
    • Alta Mesa Center Reading Series
    • Workshops
    • Alta Mesa Writers >
      • Teaching Philosophy