Here are some resources that have been helpful to me as I’ve tried to learn more and understand both my own grief, and the grief of others around me. Thank you to the friends who have both created and offered me these books and podcasts.
Die Wise by Stephen Jenkinson: Shout out to my ever-wise friend, Zina, who discovered and recommended this book. It has drastically changed the way I think about the end of life in some beautiful ways.
Fatal: Poems by Kimberly Johnson: Kim was my thesis advisor and is still a dear friend, even though I am often intimidated by her absolute brilliance. She wrote this book of poetry in conjunction with the cancer diagnosis and eventual death of her husband, also a poet, Jay Hopler.
Still Life: Poems by Jay Hopler: This is the book of poems written by Jay, Kim’s husband, as he confronted death. To read the two books in conjunction is a hard and moving experience as two people face death and grief head on.
The Consolations by John W. Evans: John is also a good friend who has had to reckon with grief in the years post the death of his wife in a bear attack (which he was there for). He’s written several books that have offered so much insight into what it looks like to live with grief as a companion and continue living.
And it seems I would be remiss to talk about grief without mentioning the many black people, and in particular black women that I have learned about grief from. Of course, I don’t understand it from someone who experiences it in the same way, but I have been opened and laid flat in the most important ways of my life by learning from them. A few writers in particular: Jesmyn Ward (her novels, and this article), the characters in the novels by Marlon James, Hunger by Roxanne Gay, Maya Angelou, Tracy K. Smith, Claudia Rankine, Clint Smith, Jericho Brown and the music artist, NoName, to name just a few.
What books, podcasts, albums, poets, artists, have helped you to understand more about grief, either your own or the collective grief we all carry?
Thank you for sharing, Ashmae. 🙏🏽This reminds me of a poetry book I reviewed by Norita Dittberner-Jax “Now I Live Among Old Trees.” It speaks to the pain and healing we feel when mourning. If you allow it, I’m including the link to the book review on page 2. Keep posting and stay gold. 👍https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pMeA5kSyOaB6iTss6oCQ083KR4_1WExo/view