by Susan, Lily Editor

In early July, I received an e-mail informing me of the death of poet Marie Eyre. Though I didn’t know Marie well enough even to know that Marie was the name she used to preserve her privacy on the internet, it took no time at all to summon the few memories I had of her.

When I created Lily last November, I went to various writing communities to spread the word, in hopes of finding writers willing to take a chance on offering their work to me - yet another unknown person with an unproven ambition - as well as finding people who would want to read it. Marie first offered a small and enthusiastic note of encouragement at one of these writing groups, and then she did both: she offered her work and she read Lily. I received one or two e-mails from her later, always kind, always encouraging. She said she liked the photos and the writing. She told me I was doing a good job, was pleased with how her poem appeared.

The day I learned of her death, I ventured back to the writer’s community where I’d first made her acquaintance. There was a memorial thread posted there, and I watched through the hours and days as others learned of her passing, reading their tributes to her. I discovered that the memories I had of Marie were not only my own, they were shared by many. They were recollections, always, of her gentleness. Of support. Enthusiasm. Encouragement. Somewhere, her soft words helped someone unlock the doors and find their own music. Somewhere, her faith gave someone the courage to share a piece of themselves with the world. Somewhere, her poems made someone draw a breath at the quiet beauty of words.

It occurred to me then and every day since then that the world itself - and specifically the literary world - is so in need of people like Marie. The life of writing and publishing is a harsh one to move in. For every bit of motion, there seems to be a wave to still you, a rejection, a hardship, a message that this part of you that you cradle in your hands is not nearly enough, may never be enough. But then - in the midst of it all - there are the gentle people, the ones to tie the distant shores of us together, the ones to say, “Look, this distance is not so large, this dream not so impossible. You can do it.” 

That’s what I remember of Marie.

But there was more to her, so much more. I’ve learned that she liked the study of UFOs and quantum physics, that she lived in Toronto. I’ve learned that she loved strong images, poems with visualization. That she was moved by the poetry of Carl Sandburg, the way he caught scenes in words. That she loved and was loved by a family still reeling from her untimely loss. 

Since learning of her death, I have been helped in preparing this tribute by the support and information of Marie’s friend, Diane. Without Diane’s careful thought and sharing, it would not have been possible. She’s been caught in a place of wanting to help those who knew Marie with healing words and yet still maintain the privacy of this poet whose life was so much more than words can say. For this, I’d like to extend a thank you to Diane and to let her know that I hope somehow, in spite of the tragedy in which we made our acquaintance, we can remain in touch. I think Marie would have liked that.

On the following page, you’ll find the poem of Marie’s that ran in Lily’s January issue. On the page after that, there is a place to offer condolences to her family and to share your memories. It is my hope that someday soon, I can put this condolence page into a pdf format, to share your words with her family, that there can be comfort in knowing how valuable Marie was to the literary world, how much an impact she had on us all - even those who never knew her.  In large and small ways, she moved the world with kindness and grace. 

That’s how I remember Marie.

**Photo of Marie and her husband, Reg, taken sometime during the 80's when they were singing. Provided by Marie's friend, Diane.

Other Tributes and Places to See Marie’s Work
(Not a complete list, by any means.)

An online tribute to Marie, by Cayuse Press, featuring her poetry, prose and art. 

An Interview with Marie 

Several of Marie’s poems

Marie’s "Impressions of August" photos at Literary Potpourri 

Seeker Magazine’s Poet Portrait of Marie