Have, get

By Norma Farber; In the fall we celebrated our delight in Norma Farber's long tenure as a Home Forum contributor by republishing her first poem on this page from a half century before. Today we regretfully publish her last, joining the tributes to her wide-ranging achievements in the arts that have been paid since her passing last month - and adding our special gratitude for knowing her as well as her works.

April 19, 1984

Gerard Manley Hopkinsm And freely give away, away what's being furtively removed from you: this land, labor, locked box, bud, breast. Expect no last breath to saunter, much less stay. Learn your past perfect: I have loved - a minim ballast, all you need to bear you off an edge leaving you light and liberal with no weight of worldworth, wish, want, will or prize. I have loved - your proof of perfect past, your dragonfly ambered timeless. Hope for a future presence fitter company than lifelong cost, than clutter. Hold fast to the gem memory. This, if you can, keep.