michael dennis [1956 - 2020]

michael dennis has died.  michael passed away on december 31, 2020 after an extended illness.  i've written about this wonderful human being & poet a few times.  a casual reader of my work will know how much i appreciate the practice of kindness, generosity, wonder & awe.  michael was such an adept.  even writing in anger/disappointment does his work show a humility of the human spirit.  the poet's subjects were often about love, friendships, sex, drinking, sartorial expressions (he wrote a poem about his long desire to own a porkpie hat), sports, travel, forgiveness, again love, his dedication to a fully lived life in poetry, & most important, the love of his life, his partner in this world, his wife, kirsty.  all were stars in his poems.  we had a long distance friendship via email.  there are a great many people who knew him well for he was that rare person in this world.  a good person who genuinely fully gave of himself to the persons in his life.  he was that kind & generous person to me, even dedicating a review of the poet john levy's book, silence like another name [otata's bookshelf; 2019], to me & norwegian poet dag t. straumsvag at michael's famous review blog today's book of poetry.  there are a many more who knew him much better than i who are, i'm sure, deep in mourning.  michael dennis lived in poetry, & lived into death.

i miss him.

fellow poet rob mclennan has written an elegant memorial of his long, intimate friendship with michael here.  please read it.