About The Black River: Death Poems
The Black River: Death Poems is an anthology of poems for people who are grieving and for use in death rituals. It comes in two versions: a 6”x9” paperback for portability, and a 8.5”x11” hardcover, more suitable for ritual use. 69 authors from 8 countries have contributed to this anthology of 149 poems grouped into 4 stages: Dying, Death, Remaining, and Journeying. The poems are heavily indexed: by relationship to deceased; by themes—memory loss, pregnancy loss, long/short illness, substance use, violence/war/suicide, hope, acceptance of death; by language—most are English and there are 3 in Spanish, 1 French, and 1 Arabic; and by suggested for use in ritual. Edited by Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen, an experienced death midwife, counselor, and death ritual leader, this book is non-denominational and brings together contemporary poets writing on the many stages of grief and death. 250+ pages; featuring interior page decorations.
Depicted: cover of paperback version; hardcover is all black, for use in ritual
Interior page decorations by Martin Bridge grace both versions of the book
Advance praise for The Black River: Death Poems:
In a world that pushes us to rush through every experience including grief, this collection gives us the gift of the moment. Page after page of verses that resonate, that speak for us when we cannot find the words for ourselves. Not a cure, not an attempt to fix the unfixable, but a balm to ease the aching heart.
—Rev. Angie Buchanan, Certified Death Midwife Instructor/Educator
Whether just after the influx of sympathy fades, or years later when a sudden memory elicits the ache of profound loss, true silence eventually descends. Each poem in The Black River invites the reader to lean into words that have the potential to turn the silence into peaceful quiet, and offers a space of comfort, knowing others have been able to move through it to create powerful poetry from the heart.
—Dawn Elizabeth Flatt, RN, BSN
The Black River: Death Poems explores the aspects of death and loss which are often avoided in funerary settings. These poems examine the raw and undignified reality of death and the surreal, detached isolation of grief. In this, the grieving reader can find a reflection of their pain and a validation of their mourning. Woven through these poems is powerful sense of community and togetherness created by a common experience, essential to our survival. When it feels like platitudes are empty, The Black River could be a comfort.
—Allerlaroo Loftfield Bessette, Licensed Funeral Director
PLEASE NOTE: NO RETURNS ON BOOK PURCHASES
HARDCOVER VERSION $55.00
SOFTCOVER VERSION $20.00
