Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them.  The least we can do is try to be there. 

Annie Dillard 

Death is the great wound in the universe, and the great wound in each life.  Yet, ironically, this is the very wound that can lead to new spiritual growth.   

John O’Donohue 

In the good company of Anne of Green Gables, Harry Potter, and so many bereft children in the real world, when I was quite young death rewrote our family story.  Chaos overwhelmed me and consequences silenced me.  Then, somewhere in my turbulent teens, I stumbled into a beautiful paradox:  beauty is born in the shadow of loss.  I learned that countless works of art have been conceived in response to tragedy.  Eventually, I fumbled towards expressing my own version of this paradox. 

As a grown-up my vocation took me into the remarkable field of palliative care.  In the company of the dying I was surprised by lines of song that came to mind.  I walked away with a melody and lyric singing within.  I felt the songs as glimmers of resurrection amidst intimate stories.   When I shared the songs with others there was a gentle radiance, yielding laughter or peace or deep feeling.  Then came a time when I walked with my sister Nancy through her illness and end of life.  As her death dismantled me, the beautiful paradox came through again.  I kept thinking I was done with Nancy songs and another one would show up.  She is still persistent. This project is dedicated to her.  

The suite of songs and poems on the site are works in progress, sound-sketches originating from grief, mystery and moments of human encounter.  

For songs that had their beginning in my palliative care work, no names or stories will be shared on this site. 

All songs and text ©2022 Robert Tees