In memory and in honor of Carla Zilbersmith, age 47, actor, singer, performer, writer, comedian, mother, sister, daughter, friend, who died from ALS on May 17, 2010. Carla was my only comrade and kindred spirit with ALS who I knew personally. Her blog inspired mine. Her life made me glad. Her illness made me, and makes me heart sick, outraged and despairing. Still I know the greatest tribute to Carla, her valiant living and passionate loving, is simply holding her in peace and tenderness.
Let Evening Come
Let the light of late afternoon
shine through chinks in the barn, moving
up the bales as the sun moves down.
Let the cricket take up chafing
as a woman takes up her needles
and her yarn. Let evening come.
Let dew collect on the hoe abandoned
in long grass. Let the stars appear
and the moon disclose her silver horn.
Let the fox go back to its sandy den.
Let the wind die down. Let the shed
go black inside. Let evening come.
To the bottle in the ditch, to the scoop
in the oats, to air in the lung
let evening come.
Let it come, as it will, and don't
be afraid. God does not leave us
comfortless, so let evening come.
-Jane Kenyon
