June
9, 2000
Corner Poetry is deeply saddened to learn about and inform you about the
passing of one of our poets and a good friend Robert E. Kogan. I first came
into contact with Robert in 1996. The Poetry Corner (our old site) was the
first, according to Robert, poetry web site he ever visited on the web.
We quickly formed a friendship and Robert was the first Poets ever featured
in The Poetry Corner. He has remained a vital part of this site for as many
years. I asked and sought his advice on several occasions and welcomed his
comments and suggestions with open arms and reverence. Through Robert I
met other great poets who are also featured here in Corner Poetry.
Robert died Thursday evening, June 8th, 2000 at his home with his family
present, Robert had been ill for some time. For those of us who had the
pleasure of knowing him we will miss him, but through his beautiful writing
and all the friends he made he will remain among us. Despite his writings
that will last forever, the world looks a bit smaller these days without
Robert. To
know him was a true blessing for Robert was a remarkable man and I am incredibly
proud to have had the honor of knowing him.
We here at Corner Poetry will keep his family and friends in our thoughts
and prayers and we ask that you do the same.
With
deepest respects ,
Harley
The Host of Corner Poetry
Ode
to Robert Kogan...06/08/00
My
friend Robert left today
Book signings up and far away
He leaves behind his words that rhyme
Somewhere in our halls of time
The sort from love that fills our eyes
Just now from saline tears we cry
My friend Robert reads today
"Letters to Emily" are on their way
His passion gave us rainbow charms
When his words danced in all our arms
We felt his breath with every word
His canvas...love... with whispers heard
My friend Robert is gone today
He left more here than he took away.
©
2000 Susan Rowse
reprinted with permission
Hope
As
winters frigid breath to dark turns bright
not green of leaf nor crimson blush on bloom
As fog veils beauty, 'ternal seems the night
not ray nor warmth to cheer or light the gloom
Towards darkness and despair may thoughts descend
epiphany and joy from soul depart
In awe and fear of knowing of an end uncertainty and doubt hard-freeze strong
heart
Yet
grass bereft of blade, dried structure bare
sienna-washed symmetric beauty shows
Brown thistle awns husk skeleton 'pears fair
more subtle than the regal summer's rose
Blue earth whose passage cosmic forces rules
now tilts again, resumes its travels forth
and restless winging many-feathered jewels
feel stirrings and a longing for the North
The
Crocus greening tips soon pierce the snow
all pilgrims start our journey's home anew
of deeper meanings we're not meant to know
from dark comes light, comes hope, my wish for you.
©
2000 Michael Pollack
reprinted
with permission
among
the few and lucky ones are we
our paths have chanced to touch a star as he
whose strength and grace were guides along the way
inspiring all to live the best we may
to
Robert now I sing, whose love was shared
a gentle soul with courage and he dared
to bare his soul his ardor thoughts and tears
his words remain a comfort through the years
©
2000 Michael Pollack
reprinted
with permission
Roberts'
signature in our guestbook:
Name:
Robert Kogan
From: Norman, Oklahoma
on Oct 5, 1997 at 22:52 - wrote the following:
Favorite part of The Poetry Corner: All of it!
Comments: Your site was the first poetry home page I visited well over a
year ago, and was deeply impressed with all I saw. Those feeling remain
today as I continue to return to see the evolution and additions you have
made. Clearly you have an outstanding site, and serve as an example to anyone
who wants to create their own home page. Keep up the excellent work, and
keep writing!
