Reginald Shepherd

Reginald Shepherd, poet and critic, passed away on September 10th. He was 45. Although I am a relative newcomer to his life and thought, I found it compelling from "first contact" in an article he wrote for Poets and Writers about his biography early this year. To understate it, the odds were always greatly against him, and yet somehow he overcame to be a voice in the culture.

You can find his always stimulating blog here:

http://reginaldshepherd.blogspot.com/

There are two great poems and one incisive critique right there at the top, which is of course the very end of things. Many thanks to his partner, Robert Philen, for his work in posting last thoughts and for keeping this blog open so that people can grieve their loss communally.