Tag Archives: Siobhan Passmore
Luhambo, a wonderful journey
Today one year ago, 1 May 2013, we published the first essay on Luhambo – “Embracing the Grey” by Sarah Hempel Irani. At that time we published essays or poems thrice a week – usually two contributions by friends of Luhambo, and one editorial essay (or a Friday thought) by either Siobhan Passmore or Elizabeth Viljoen. […]
Prayers for the Living on the Day of the Dead
Prayers for the Living, On the Day of the Dead Putting you to bed for so many years. A nighttime story in a quiet room, Praying you would sleep. Do what little girls are meant to do (says who?) Close your eyes, go to sleep. Now you are nine And my day’s most blessed time […]
Coming Home
During my teenage years in South Africa, the country went through a severe drought. The news was filled with stories of farm animals dying in the fields, crops failing and empty dams. There were water restrictions for almost all urban households, and my family, who relied on borehole water, was constantly worried that one day […]
Siobhan’s Friday Thoughts
AUTUMN INTO WINTER Outside our windows are three deciduous trees whose leaves are the first in our neighborhood to turn. This year the little tips started yellowing, and within days the wind swirled them to the ground, making our lawn a variegated patch of bright green and yellow. Last year, my first fall season in […]
Still Waters
On a day when the world lost Seamus Heaney, I could do worse than share with you the very first, beautiful Heaney poem I ever read. I was all of fourteen years old, and absolutely taken with the tremulous anticipation and wariness captured in “Twice Shy”. It has stayed with me through the years and […]
This is Not a Eulogy
by Siobhan Passmore. My mother died two weeks ago. It wasn’t a swift death, but I think in some ways it was merciful. Although I say “merciful”, I wonder why we use that stupid, inappropriate word about death and dying? It doesn’t really make anyone feel better. It’s a quick, coded way to convey that […]
Beautiful moon
by Siobhan Passmore. Beautiful moon through a makeshift window Blue light across my baby’s bed She lies sleeping calm, still, her gentle breath unaware of […]
The Small Stuff
by Siobhan Passmore. Browsing through my photos from the last year I noticed something unexpected – the ones that truly spoke to me were those that documented small moments of daily life. An image of flowers picked on a morning walk after watching a nest of teenage herons clamor for food, brings back moments of […]
Carnival
by Siobhan Passmore. For the last few months I’ve been helping plan the annual carnival at my daughter’s school. It’s apparently the biggest in Vancouver, WA and there’s been quite a bit of pressure on the volunteers to make sure it delivers all the fun and fabulousness it is renowned for. As a result there […]
The Art of Place: Longing and Belonging
by Siobhan Passmore. I miss the warmth. I miss the easiness of the people. There’s a slight swish to people’s walk back home that just doesn’t happen here. People here are solid, serious. They seem so rooted, stoic, and unsmiling. But when you talk to them you realize that they aren’t really rooted to the […]
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