Image: Hardtutamel

Alive is someone…

The husband of a dear friend of mine died a couple of weeks ago, after over a decade of coping with the myriad circumstances that accompany early onset dementia, writes HOT’s Zelly Restorick. A beautiful poem was read at his funeral, which I share with you here: maybe it will be a source of comfort should you also be going through a challenging time in your life.

My friend and her husband’s love story began around four decades ago, when they met in their 20s: he a student from Germany, a Catholic; her a student from New York, a Jew. Our families had all experienced WWII from different perspectives and for me, this pair were living proof of Amor Vincit Omnia: Love Conquers All.

Alive is someone who remains awake
Someone who gives himself to others
Giving the best part away
Never keeps count

Alive is someone who loves life
It’s funerals, its festivals
Someone who finds fairy tales and myths
On the bleakest mountains

Alive is someone who expects light in the days of the darkest storms
Someone who chooses the silent songs without clamor and shots
Someone who turns towards the autumn
And never stops loving.

Attributed to Angelo Maria Ripellino & Luigi Nono)

This is an English translation of a German translation of an Italian poem.

Also in: Poetry