Timothy Berrigan

 

 

“I always said that I was only a character”1

 

“I always said that I was only a character”.2
Her world was the world in front of her.3 Just weeks before his hundredth birthday4 she stated, “you cannot eat flowers”.5 There will be no public calling hours6 before becoming7 arrangements.8 His mother, abounding in incredible kindness,9 showed him a newspaper10 where he could enjoy the earth, the trees and the love of his large family during Sunday picnics11 anchored in the concrete world.12 There will be no public calling hours13 in the concrete world14 before becoming15 flowers.16 Her world was the world in front of her.17 Away unexpectedly18 they remained together for 61 years.19 Teach me to play the piano20 the pleasures of sound, shape, color, and movement anchored in the concrete world.21 Bird Architecture22 will be in charge of arrangements23 our environment.24 “I am the luckiest guy in the world”.25

                        

1 Bud Spencer’s ( Giuseppe Pedersoli) Obituary, The New York Times.
2 Bud Spencer’s ( Giuseppe Pedersoli) Obituary, The New York Times.
3 Jane Collins Frank, Portland Press Herald.
4 Harvey L. Armstrong’s Obituary, Portland Press Herald.
5 Gertude M. Berthiaume’s Obituary, Portland Press Herald.
6 Barbara Jean Lagrandeur’s Obituary, Burlington Free Press.
7 Leona D. Myer’s Obiturary, Seacoastonline.com.
8 Winston Wade Matot’s Obituary, Burlington Free Press.
9 Sandra Thomas’ Obituary, The Coloradoan.
10 Mac Rice’s Obituary, The New York Times.
11 F. Ellsworth “Ike” Morris’ Obituary, The Bangor Daily News.
12 Jane Collins Frank, Portland Press Herald.
13 Barbara Jean Lagrandeur’s Obituary, Burlington Free Press.
14 Jane Collins Frank, Portland Press Herald.
15 Leona D. Myer’s Obiturary, Seacoastonline.com.
16 Gertude M. Berthiaume’s Obituary, Portland Press Herald.
17 Jane Collins Frank, Portland Press Herald.
18 Edward Henry Heyman’s Obituary, Burlington Free Press.
19 Theodore F. Brooks’ Obituary, Bangor Daily News.
20 Mac Rice’s Obituary, The New York Times.
21 Jane Collins Frank, Portland Press Herald.
22 Victor Romanyshyn’s Obituary, The Bangor Daily News.
23 Winston Wade Matot’s Obituary, Burlington Free Press.
24 Charles “Chuck” Mahoney’s Obituary, The Coloradoan.
25 Charles “Chuck” Mahoney’s Obituary, The Coloradoan.

 


Timothy Berrigan holds a MA in English from the University of Maine and a certificate from Columbia University’s TESOL Program. His work has been published in friends’ chapbooks, Really System, and on a postcard that circulated throughout central Pennsylvania. He works as a Literacy Advisor in adult and community literacy at the Brooklyn Public Library. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.


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