Vigil: The Poetry of Presence

Vigil: The Poetry of Presence, a collection of sixty-five poems written from the perspective of a seasoned hospice volunteer sitting with others in the last days and moments of their life, is the author's processing of her many and varied experiences while being present and bearing witness to the sacred moments of dying. The poems originated in the author's personal journal, a safe and private place where her processing of experiences occurs. With the urging of close friends, the unedited poems were transferred to a manuscript and, over the course of a year, prepared for publication. This collection allows each reader, at his/her own pace, to be closer to and more aware of the sacred process of dying. Deeper meaning is found in everyday life when we have the opportunity to, intimately and honestly, connect with our own mortality. Holding a space of compassionate presence for those who are dying brings this gift. As one reader wrote, "This little book is much larger than its physical size." "Heartfelt poetry woven from the threads of kindness, acceptance and the ability to be fully present for others." "She holds her readers as tenderly as she holds the hands of the dying." "The poet's insights have much to teach all of us who care for people through life's final chapter, both newcomer and veteran alike."