The poem read by the poet himself at the Society of Classical Poets’ in-person Poetry Symposium held in Naperville, Illinois on September 5-6, 2025:
Video created by Andrew Benson Brown.
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A wonderful and very touching piece, Russel, and the postscript is an extremely impressive commitment of which you’re obviously – and rightly so – very proud. ‘Great feelings’ all the way around 🙂 Another ABB gem…
Thanks Mark. Mostly I’m extremely grateful for having the good health to be running so many of our former teammates up to visit our old friend, who loves it so much. And yes, Andrew was the genius behind the Symposium!
My feelings echo those of Mark exactly. What a wonderful blessing
for you to witness the happiness you have wrought. You have been doubly blessed by your action and also for the poem generated by your compassion.
Thanks jd. Another backstory is that I had no plans to read any poems at the Symposium, but Evan strongly suggested that I do so after other folks had read their fine poems. So I had to hastily find a formal poem that I hadn’t ever sent to SCP, and I picked this one and practiced reading it silently before going live. I’d never read a poem to more than one person before. Watching the video now, I don’t think I was very good, but I’m glad that folks liked the poem.
Russel, what joy for both of you to have such amazing compassion for one who strayed. It is biblical and profound.
Thank you Roy. I’m speechless.
Wasted talent is always something to lament, especially when it’s so visible, like with a sportsprson. To have so many friends left after such a turn of fortune is a testament to human nature.
Thanks for the inspiring read and postscript, Russel.
Thank you as well, Paul. In middle school, I thought I was the best long jumper in the city, until my friend who I’ve been visiting beat me by over six feet, which was an enormous and embarrassing margin. I tell him that I really shouldn’t be on speaking terms with him, and he laughs and says that was a million years ago. I think you’re right – his good naturedness in the face of all his challenges is a testament to human nature.
Russel, I found the poem itself, the video production and your after words all incredibly moving. Your piece hits very close to home for me as I approach my 30th year of sobriety. I, too, flirted with a ruined life, broken dreams and worse. It took me 17 years of false starts before sobriety finally stuck. I was 34 and I realized I had the choice to either get busy living or get busy dying. I decided I wanted to live and got the help I so desperately needed. As part of my journey I’ve sponsored many young men who remind me very much of the subject of your poem. Alcholism and drug addiction are easy to oversimplify and underestimate. None of us really know the why or the how. A life gets taken over and no one can logically explain it. We who have suffered through it only know that we have a soul sickness and that the only solution is a spiritual one. I’ve known too many people through the years whose lives are the rubble of shattered dreams. And I’ve known far, far too many people who have died long before they should have. To see a life wasted is a terrible thing. That’s why I think your poem has hit me so hard. I’m very glad for your efforts to bring friendship and fond memories to this fellow who has so suffered. What you are doing is a true blessing. Wonderful work, Russel, both on the page and out in the world.
Brian, I appreciate you sharing your journey with us, and I’m incredibly proud of you for becoming, among other things, a successful attorney and tremendous poet. Some pieces that you’ve written are among my very favorites to have appeared on this great site. Your kind words are very humbling and inspiring. Thank you so much.
You’re incredibly kind, Russel. Thank you.
Russel, in addition to being a good poet, you are clearly a wonderful people-lover. What a great project you have written about here. Though I’m sure you enjoyed the time with your teammates, I’m also sure that this project of compassion took a lot of time and effort for you to organize.
Actually, Cynthia, it just takes a few phone calls and texts, plus Apple Maps! And I do enjoy every minute of it, seeing the old guys, and watching them enjoy being with each other. Tears have flowed more than once from some big, tough hombres! It’s all rather moving. Thanks for your feedback — it’s always most appreciated!
I have learned the toughest and cruelest paths in life can lead to a glimmer of joy that wraps us in a gratitude we may never have experienced had we not stared into that bleak abyss. To have friends who appreciate us for who we were and (more importantly) for who we are is a gift. Russel, your poem has spoken to me on many levels in the compassionate voice of one who knows how much a kind word and a kind deed mean. Thank you!
Susan — With what you have learned, I agree 1,000 percent! I’m glad you liked the poem. Thanks for your kind words!
Russel, I watched your video, and you did just fine. I’m certainly not one for public speaking. Your former teammate is lucky to have a compassionate friend like you.
Thank you Cheryl, you’re very kind. And there’s much that I hope to learn from my old friend as well.