Sunday, June 23, 2013

A Grim Week

It’s been an emotionally grim week. My nephew, Kyle Knapp, lost his life in a house fire. He had been living in the home I grew up in. I went back for the funeral service on Saturday and to be with my sister and her family. Try to find needed closure. But I soon realized it’s not to be, not yet, even though Kyle has told me, 'It’s ok, Uncle David.' It just hurts too damn much. Still, I can see the road ahead and what I need to do for him.

You see, Kyle sent me dozens of poems and several short stories over the last year following the release of Pluvial Gardens, and while the first collection of poetry is striking, what follows is ten-fold beyond. Kyle had begun digging deeper within himself and pulled up astonishing insight from his soul. I can’t even imagine where his art would have taken him as his writing continued to season over the next decade.

Now it’s my turn do justice to Kyle’s writing and get the next collection of poems out. I’m going to take my time and get it right. Kyle had said that having the Pluvial Gardens eBook published was the highlight of his life. That does my heart good. I want to get Gardens out in paperback very soon (something he had wanted) and begin doing inventory on just how much of a body of work Kyle left behind. I’ve found the first eight chapters of a novel he had emailed to me, unfortunately, I think the rest has been lost. But it’s a novel we had talked about, and maybe in time I can finish it for him.

I wish you had known Kyle. He was a wonderful, caring human being. Yes, there were times he was difficult, but he always came back to say, “Sorry, David.” It saddens me he didn’t conquer his alcoholism, but he touches on that in the unreleased poetry, and maybe, just maybe, it will help someone else. I plan to dedicate a significant portion of the sales of all his books to an organization that my sister feels Kyle would have wanted.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Kyle and I have some work to do.

24 comments:

sandra seamans said...

My prayers are with you and your family, David. So sorry for your loss.

mybillcrider said...

Very sorry for your loss, David. My sympathies to you and your family.

Leah J. Utas said...

I am so very sorry for your loss, David. Good on you for keeping his dream and his work alive.

David Cranmer said...

Sandra & Bill, Thank you.

Leah, Thanks. And working on his poems is a healing all its own.

pattinase (abbott) said...

This breaks my heart! So sorry!

Randy Johnson said...

Sorry for the family's loss. Words fail us at moments. You expressed them eloquently. Kyle sounds like an exceptional young man and it will be a loss to us all. What might he have produced.

Again, my condolences.

Chris said...

Condolences, Dave. . . .

G. B. Miller said...

David, my sincerest condolences for your loss and I'm looking forward to what you'll be able to edit of his work.

Garnett Elliott said...

You're doing right by your family, Dave. Your talent and work have allowed an artist to flourish, even though his time was short. My condolences.

David Cranmer said...

He had a poet's heart, Patti.

Randy, Chris, G.B., Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot.

Your words are deeply appreciated, Garn.

Thomas Pluck said...

David, my deep condolences for your family's loss.

pattinase (abbott) said...

David, if you would be able to send a piece of audio or video of someone reading a poem by Kyle, I would love to post it on Sunday Night Poetry. It that isn't possible, perhaps just the text. I looked on you tube, but only found another Kyle playing a guitar and I assumed that wasn't him.

David Cranmer said...

Thank you, Tom. The outpouring of love and support does help.

Patti, I will get something to you in the coming weeks. It would have meant a lot to Kyle to be included with those legends you showcase.

Mike Wilkerson said...

I'm very sorry to hear this. I'll send up some prayers.

Be strong.

Charles Gramlich said...

Very sorry for this loss, both to you and your family, and to lovers of poetry everywhere. I'm glad we will see a some more of his work.

David Cranmer said...

Words I needed to hear this morning, Mike. Thanks.

Charles, I'm reading through the fifty plus poems he left behind. He loved and breathed poetry even more than I realized.

Dave King said...

A tragic story that puts my present troubles in perspective. I can only wish you every success with your venture(s) on Kyle's behalf. Meanwhile, every blessing to you and your family. (I shall watch out for the paperback.)

Paul D Brazill said...

Sorry for your loss, David. Take care.

David Cranmer said...

Dave, His death has put a lot in perspective for me. So much I thought was important falls away. I just want him back.

Thanks, Paul.

Naomi Johnson said...

David, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find some measure of solace in Kyle's work.

Sheila Grimes said...

Get It On Brother! Love you guys! Proud of you!

Richard Prosch said...

Just catching up with you. Sadness. And good thoughts for you, my friend. What a gift to have his poetry to read. What a gift you are to him and his memory. Hang tough.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear this, David. I hope the project brings you the closure you need.

David Cranmer said...

Lots of comfort, Naomi. What I'm working on now makes for a great deal of peace.

Thanks, Sis.

Thank you, Rich.

Neliza, When I get his complete body of work published, I hope it softens the heartache. But I'm not sure.