Libraries Homefrom Friends of the Urban Forest
As executive director of Friends of the Urban Forest, I would like to let you know that a Tree Tribute has been made in loving memory of Tee A. Corinne, from Jim Van Buskirk.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Kelly Quirke
Executive Director
Friends of the Urban Forest
www.fuf.net
September 21st, 2006 at 11:18 pm
I had hoped to come up to the memorial, but it looks like I won’t be able to. So I’d like to add my memories of Tee to the archives.
I first met Tee in the early 70’s in San Francisco. I helped make the film about lesbian sexuality that she and Honey Lee were in. I participated in some of her labia photography sessions, and was so impressed by the open and safe (and fun!) atmosphere she was able to create. She was truly a pioneer in the lesbian sexuality art scene. When I told a mutual friend of her death, she said “Just think how many women are having orgasms because of Tee!” I am glad to have shared a friendship with her during those times. We had drifted apart over the last many years, so I was really grateful to discover this blog and get to be there in a small way. Thank you Jean! Thank you Tee! I imagine you flying free in all those clouds of good energy so many people are sending.
With love,
Kay (in Santa Rosa)
September 22nd, 2006 at 2:16 pm
…a little late, but YES!!! The memorial gathering is tomorrow, 9/23 – 11:00 – 3:00 Old Town Hall, Applegate Interpretive Center, Exit 71 and Interstate 5, Sunny Valley, OR.
Should be a gorgeous day and expect an overflowing crowd for this wonderful celebration of Tee’s life.
Kay, thank you for your comments. They certainly will become a part of Tee’s legacy, her massive body of work, to be housed at the University of Oregon.
Jeanne
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:05 pm
I appreciated the memorial today so much and needed it more than I knew. I grateful to see people I hadn’t seen in so long and meet others. Thank you, Jean, for being so gracious. I was so tongue-tied after my blundering introduction (mistaken identity) that I couldn’t find the things that I had wanted to say to and share with you. All the plans of this mouse went awry. I hope to have another opportunity, Jean, when the emotional turbulence has quieted.
In the heat of that turbulence last night, I wrote this poem for/to Tee. I shared it with Holly and Tangren after the memorial. Holly asked me to post it here.
I love this blog, Jean. It is very much evidence to me of Tee living on through us. Thank you for that. And thank you for the updates that assured me Tee was loved and cared for while I struggled with my selfish denial (and planned elaborate grand gestures/projects which altho they would have delighted Tee really served only to be busy-work and came too late).
–G.L.
grief: a poem
there will be other women
many who knew you better
many who knew you longer
some that were witness
to that breath
the one that went out to find
your lungs had changed the lock,
the breath that went out
and could not get back in again
perhaps some spark of spirit
went out with that breath
to seek a new address
there will be other women
to tell that story
there will be other women to talk
about the circle of life
about spirit and hope and the natural
order of things and the old ways
and release from pain and reunion, loves reunited
and death and birth and the goddess
but I will not be that woman
there is only one
goddess for me today, Tee,
and my soul rages blasphemy
damn the stars
could the night be so dark
it had to steal your light
for the heavens?
damn them
selfish, selfish
my heart paints each star black
memorail I wrote
when I meant to say memorial
and I thought of Plath
writing of the manmoth
(from a typo
or typ-eye for mammoth)
and I thought of what
you would say
of malaprops and solipsism
memorail-
its tracks are the yellow line
on the highway,
dashed or broken lines,
the ellipse between my house and yours
the stretch of road and circumstance
that made a 3 hour trip take how many years
memorail-
the memory train takes me to you
I did not want to come here
the child in me believes
that attending your funeral causes your death
I cannot explain to her this is not so
this is the fault of the way we live
and love over time and distance
I do not need to see you
every day or every year to know
how real your love for me was
and this I know is the crucible of my tears
your leaving does not stop my love for you
what could–not time or miles–
what hope could death have
to still my heart
my unstoppable love,
my admiration, my respect for you
but selfish, selfish
it stole yours from me
O Teeberry, my friend,
who was sometimes the mother
we neither had and both longed for,
and always the Galatea who breathed life
into canvas, film and print
will breathe no more art, no poetry,
no stories to me
O Galatea, breathe… breathe again
you who made so many women immortal
oh my goddess, my friend
my inspiration, my yantra
how dare you be mortal
selfish, selfish
I know every pot eventually is broken
back to the clay it was shaped from
but selfish, selfish
I thought you were unbreakable
I do not want to remember your rakku smile,
chiaroscuro wit, and watercolor optimism
I do not want to hang you in the gallery of my memory
selfish, selfish
how could you leave me behind
you always knew the way
you said draw a map
between today and tomorrow
where you are today
and where you want to be tomorrow
Where I want to be,
Ms. Tee A. Corinne,
is you
selfish, selfish
you have left me, you have left me no map
selfish, selfish
tho you made your life a map for strangers
what am I to make of all this death
September 24th, 2006 at 6:21 am
Thank you