Get Your Premium Membership

In Memory of Keith Bickerstaffe - Arthur Vaso's Blog

About Arthur Vaso
(Show Details...)
Bloggers Photo

Arthur Vaso is a Canadian poet, born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. He has had his works published in local papers/magazines as well as on many Web sites. He has traveled extensively around the world, and writes about a wide variety of topics.
 


In Memory of Keith Bickerstaffe

Blog Posted:1/3/2018 1:52:00 AM

It is with a profound sadness I mention the passing of a Poetrysoup member Keith Bickerstaffe. Although I had met him on Poetrysoup we also communicated on the Writers-network, and not only was he a poet I admired, he was one who encouraged me to write. My regret is only that I didn't spend time to talk more and know better such a great person. I offer my condolences to all his family. He was a kind, humorous and gentle man!



Please Login to post a comment
Date: 8/14/2022 11:32:00 PM
A good and well meaning gentleman, Great respect, greetings to his family Condolences; yet congratulations on Being part of his actions and history He scattered bright sparks within me For sure.'
Login to Reply
Date: 1/22/2018 8:57:00 PM
Very sad news:-( What a great, prolific poet he really was. And what a wonderful tribute to your friend. I'm sorry for your loss. His poem "Petal" is my personal favorite. RIP, Mr. Bickerstaffe...
Login to Reply
Date: 1/20/2018 8:02:00 AM
Thank you for this sad news, Arthur. What a tremendous loss! I feel the same way you do about his passing..... Ilene Bauer
Login to Reply
Date: 1/11/2018 10:56:00 PM
Hello all, This is Keir, Keith's son. I just wanted to thank you all so much for your kind words and remembrances of my father. He has been ill for some time and so had not been able to contribute to the site for many months. But I know that this community was so meaningful to him for so many years and provided him such joy. I have a couple hundred of my dad's poems, but was awestruck to visit his page today and see hundreds more I never knew about! What a treasure trove, and what a remarkable gift to have in sad times. Thanks again to you all for the kindness and talent you shared with my Dad, and especially to Art for posting this blog and directing me to my Dad's poems. Much love.
Login to Reply
Ibeh Avatar
Edward Ibeh
Date: 1/22/2018 9:01:00 PM
Keir, my deepest condolences. Your dad was truly gifted. We'll all missed him. You'll be in my prayers...
Bauer Avatar
Ilene Bauer
Date: 1/20/2018 8:00:00 AM
Hello Keir. Although I post on PoetrySoup, I rarely read the blogs and have just learned of your dad's passing.He was a rare and brilliant poet and seemed, through his words, to be a gentle and generous soul. Please accept my condolences - I will miss his touching and wonderful poetry very much..... Ilene Bauer
Date: 1/9/2018 7:09:00 AM
This is so sad. His poem 'The morn's alive with skylarks singing' has been a fave of mine for yonks. A talented poet whose work was imbued with wisdom and experience much like a whisky ages in an oak barrel to become the finest. may you rest in peace, Keith. Viv
Login to Reply
Date: 1/8/2018 10:44:00 AM
My condolences to all his family, friends and admirers. Keith was a true poet and I've enjoyed reading many of his very fine poems posted here at the Soup.... So saddened at learning of this sorrowful news..
Login to Reply
Date: 1/7/2018 2:44:00 PM
- A sad news - May his soul rest in peace - Blessing to his family - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply
Date: 1/6/2018 3:37:00 PM
How sad to hear of his passing. I am unable to logon to Facebook so thanks for passing on this very sad news. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.May he rest in peace. Suzanne
Login to Reply
Date: 1/5/2018 6:56:00 AM
I have read his work on here..Sad to learn of his passing..From the picture it seems that he had some sons and a grandson which I know he loved and they loved him..Sara
Login to Reply
Date: 1/5/2018 12:07:00 AM
Oh I remember Keith...so sad for his family...blessings Keith....Seren
Login to Reply
Date: 1/4/2018 3:41:00 PM
this is sooo sad; i have had lots of exchanges with keith and found him to be a beautiful person... prayers are ongoing for him..... thanks, arthur for letting us know...
Login to Reply
Date: 1/4/2018 12:58:00 AM
I went back to see some of his poems and was able to remember the talented writer that he was. gosh, time just slips right by us. Over a year and I had not seen his latest poems!! They were very good. Thanks again for letting us know about him . I fear maybe I had not communicated with him for over a year. It's just so sad to me.
Login to Reply
Maverick Avatar
Joe Maverick
Date: 7/24/2022 9:25:00 AM
Hi Andrea, he was a truly good hearted man Oxford educated.. However not condescending To others, 'He said he wished we could meet also he imparted to me his favourite song 'Pacing the cage' its a song many would do well To listen to..' truly missed.)
Date: 1/4/2018 12:41:00 AM
this is sad news, and I believe I remember commenting to him but did not know he was missing. It's difficult to keep track of all that come and go, so I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I must go see a poem of his now to remind myself about him and if I had seen his last post or not. My condolences to his family.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 3:00:00 PM
My prayers go out for Keith and his family. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow and may He welcome Keith into His Kingdom.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 9:25:00 AM
Arthur, this is sad news today, another poet angel flies away ! He hadn't posted since 2016, was he sick ? Prayers for the family. Rest in peace, Keith.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 8:36:00 AM
what sad sad news Arthur he was a wonderful poet. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.:-( hugs jan xx
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 8:32:00 AM
Just seen the message on face book and very sad to hear the news. We will miss him and his poetry. May he rest in peace. love phyl
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 8:23:00 AM
He was a wonderful poet and will be missed.
Login to Reply
Vaso Avatar
Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/15/2018 12:17:00 AM
Thanks Tim, he was a positive influence here, like you are!!!
Date: 1/3/2018 8:08:00 AM
I just woke up and saw this on facebook :( Very sad. He was always so nice to me. Thank you for posting this, Arthur.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/3/2018 7:29:00 AM
He is one of my favorite poets here. I will miss him. May God rest his soul. Thank you for letting us know.
Login to Reply

My Past Blog Posts

 
Pros and Cons of AI in Poetry
Date Posted: 10/12/2024 5:17:00 PM
Darren White - Sad News
Date Posted: 6/10/2024 10:58:00 PM
Faten AlHariri, artist, painter,humanitarian
Date Posted: 7/13/2020 3:01:00 AM
Thank you to all the front line workers, Covid19
Date Posted: 5/19/2020 10:22:00 PM
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Date Posted: 12/31/2018 12:14:00 AM
NOW PLAYING - INTRINSIC BRIGHTNESS - DARREN WHITE
Date Posted: 12/23/2018 10:37:00 PM
NEWS RELEASE, VASO PUBLISHING INC
Date Posted: 12/19/2018 1:12:00 AM
Condolences and sympathies to Dear Eve Roper
Date Posted: 9/3/2018 8:58:00 PM
Breaking News ABBA is back!
Date Posted: 5/1/2018 11:27:00 PM
In Memory of Keith Bickerstaffe
Date Posted: 1/3/2018 1:52:00 AM
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Date Posted: 12/26/2017 1:28:00 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM !!!!!!!!!!
Date Posted: 12/2/2017 8:40:00 PM
The Sound of Silence
Date Posted: 9/30/2017 7:54:00 PM
GUEST POET FREDERICK SPINNEY
Date Posted: 7/30/2017 10:20:00 PM
POETRYSOUP CHAT ANNIVERSARY
Date Posted: 7/8/2017 2:58:00 PM
UPDATE update update update yes an Update Darrens Garden
Date Posted: 7/3/2017 12:38:00 AM
UPDATE DARRENS GARDEN, additions by Chris Geen Eve Roper Lin Lane
Date Posted: 6/21/2017 7:42:00 PM
THE GARDEN OF EDEN
Date Posted: 6/19/2017 9:56:00 PM
How to build a better world with MARGARET ATWOOD
Date Posted: 4/22/2017 10:32:00 PM
I am Canadian
Date Posted: 4/13/2017 9:48:00 PM
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Date Posted: 3/8/2017 7:55:00 PM
Save the Penguins’ - A blog for Darren White
Date Posted: 2/7/2017 7:20:00 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017
Date Posted: 12/31/2016 9:24:00 PM
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016
Date Posted: 12/23/2016 6:55:00 PM
Collaboration by Seren Roberts and Tim Smith
Date Posted: 10/5/2016 10:34:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
5/10/2025 He Called me a Zionist Free verseallah,art,mystery,
5/9/2025 No Victory Day when the Genocide is NOW Free verseevil,
5/5/2025 The Invisible Poem Free versebetrayal,evil,
5/4/2025 Dumb and Dumber and Gullible Free versepolitical,
5/1/2025 The Trade Deadline Free versebreak up,
4/25/2025 Today Free verseevil,
4/21/2025 I Am Free verseamerica,
4/21/2025 Nelson the Terrorist Free verseevil,
4/19/2025 Happy Easter Free verseeaster,
4/19/2025 Jesus was Palestinian Free verseevil,
4/17/2025 Spring Harvest Free verseevil,
4/15/2025 Rafah Free verseamerica,death,evil,
4/12/2025 Hind the Red Deer Free versechild,hate,
4/7/2025 Character Free versebetrayal,character,courag
4/5/2025 Terrorists Free verseamerica,violence,
4/2/2025 We Have Options Free versehate,
3/30/2025 Every Day Free versedeath,
3/26/2025 A Joke Free verseevil,hate,racism,
3/22/2025 How to Become Irrelevant Free versepolitical,
3/20/2025 I am a Doctor Free versehilarious,political,
3/12/2025 I love Comedy Free verseamerica,character,funny,
3/6/2025 Complicatd Free verseaddiction,emotions,funny,
3/4/2025 Two Eyes Free versesorrow,
3/3/2025 Get ready for the Truth Free versechristmas,hate,usa,
2/24/2025 Freedom of Speech Free verseintegrity,murder,violence
2/21/2025 Old Hags Free verseamerica,evil,hate,politic
2/13/2025 Terrorist in the Whitehouse Free versehate,humanity,silence,
1/30/2025 In Humanity Free versechild abuse,death,evil,
1/25/2025 Where have all the poets gone? Free verseanger,angst,child,evil,mu
1/12/2025 Palisade Palestine Free verseamerica,dark,evil,politic
1/7/2025 Christmas Lights Free versepoets,river,
12/26/2024 Bethlehem is Closed Free verseevil,hate,
12/6/2024 Failure Free verseamerica,evil,jewish,
11/21/2024 Taking a Break Free versebible,humorous,political,
11/5/2024 And the Winner is Free versecorruption,war,women,
11/5/2024 Whitewash House Free versechild abuse,war,
10/22/2024 Fat Mouse Free verseanimal,hilarious,
10/20/2024 Orange Blockhead Free versehumorous,
10/17/2024 The Rape of Palestine Free verseallah,corruption,evil,rac
10/16/2024 Wakey Wakey Alliterationcharacter,humor,
10/15/2024 Liar Liar Pants on fire Free versehumorous,political,
10/13/2024 Charlie the Spiderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Free versepoetry,
10/13/2024 Thanksgiving with Family Free verseintrospection,poetry,wine
10/10/2024 High Road Free verseallah,creation,deep,integ
10/4/2024 Another Incident Free versefunny,humor,humorous,imag
10/1/2024 Another Imitation Free verseart,corruption,giggle,
9/29/2024 Inside My Mind Free verseallusion,dream,feelings,i
9/22/2024 ISIS Free verseabuse,integrity,racism,
9/12/2024 A Woman Free versebeauty,flower,garden,
9/11/2024 Its Raining Cats and Dogs Free versefunny,humorous,political,
9/10/2024 The Mirror of Genocide Free verseholocaust,
9/8/2024 Iron Clad Genocide Free versedeath,evil,holocaust,
9/8/2024 Vanishing Free versebrother,death of a friend
9/5/2024 Poetry Free verseart,encouraging,i am,psyc
8/31/2024 My Apology to Hamas Free verseholocaust,
8/19/2024 My Favourite Poet Free verseart,
8/4/2024 Dead Babies Free versedeath,evil,
7/26/2024 Olympics 2024 Free verseeducation,evil,holocaust,
7/23/2024 Humanity Free verseallah,child abuse,evil,ha
7/19/2024 Hate and Trump Free verseabuse,america,bullying,fr
7/13/2024 Dead Free verseblue,death,lost,sad,solit
7/11/2024 Narrow Roads Free versecharacter,hate,silence,wa
7/6/2024 So So Free versedeath,friendship love,gri
7/2/2024 The Snake Free versecorruption,evil,insect,sa
6/26/2024 Zionism Free verseevil,hate,
6/10/2024 Where are you? Free versedepression,loss,love,obit
6/8/2024 The Evening Dies Free versedark,loneliness,love,sorr
6/3/2024 My Angel Free versefantasy,loss,love,poets,
6/3/2024 If Only Free versehealth,inspirational love
5/22/2024 The Garden of Europa Free verseemotions,humanity,inspira
5/14/2024 Nakba Free verseevil,war,
5/14/2024 Silent Deceptions Free verseinspiration,wisdom,
5/4/2024 Happy Mothers Day Free verseabsence,emotions,loneline
4/27/2024 America Never Learns Free versechild abuse,evil,war,
4/21/2024 The Gaza Lottery Free verseallah,bible,child abuse,e
4/15/2024 Villa Acambaro Free versedance,desire,love,
4/13/2024 Seized Incognito Free verseabuse,child abuse,discrim
4/8/2024 One hundred and eighty two days ago Free verseevil,
4/7/2024 Dine and Dash Free verseart,dark,depression,
4/1/2024 Shoreline Free verseanxiety,depression,philos
3/19/2024 Sadness Free verseangst,betrayal,bible,chri
3/10/2024 State of the Union 2024 Free verseintegrity,international,l
10/12/2023 The Wind Is Blowing, and Something Smells Free versechristian,courage,educati
10/8/2023 Never Be Blue If You Can Be Cyan Free verseappreciation,art,dedicati
10/4/2023 I Died Free versehumor,humorous,
9/28/2023 Golden Shovel Free versecorruption,integrity,roma
9/25/2023 Birthday Cake Free versebetrayal,birthday,depress
9/23/2023 The Fine Art of Life Free verseappreciation,art,imagery,
9/17/2023 Taylor Swift She Is Not Cinquainanalogy,funny,integrity,m
9/15/2023 19 Crimes Free verseart,character,conflict,in
9/6/2023 Poetry Free versebeautiful,humanity,integr
8/19/2023 Imagine Free verseafrica,allegory,feelings,
8/14/2023 I Write Free verseabuse,anxiety,family,horr
2/23/2023 I Saw a Fool Free versecharacter,education,feeli
9/25/2022 Paris Down Under Free verseafrica,analogy,halloween,
8/31/2022 Perestroika, a Love Letter Free verseamerica,death,integrity,l
8/20/2022 Freedom Free verseabuse,america,discriminat
8/17/2022 Quality and Quantity Free verseabortion,arabic,books,env
5/26/2022 A Tale of Two Nations Free versechild abuse,death,preside
5/8/2022 Mothers Day Free verseabsence,childhood,daffodi

My Photos


photo

ps_faten_2466473068097175552_o.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
Love Me Amor Free verselove,me,me,
November Dreams Sedokalove,seasons,
Autumn On My Page Free verseautumn,bird,sky,space,win
Longing Cinquainhope,longing,
Loneliness Verseloneliness,
In Pursuit of Reason Free verseanxiety,
Hold Me Tight Quatrainabuse,boy,dark,depression
You Will Remember Elegydeath,emotions,goodbye,re
I Can'T Stand Labels Prose Poetryabuse,anxiety,child abuse
Those Words Free verseinspirational,metaphor,wo
King Arthur - a Collaboration With Darren White Coupletart,friend,friendship,
What Keeps Us Awake Free verseappreciation,friendship,i
Mon Chevalier Free versefriendship,love,
Perception Free versepoetry,write,
The Half Man Free versefriendship,friendship lov
Last Salute To a President Free verseappreciation,grief,leader
The Poetry Genius Rhymehow i feel,
The Making of a Genocide Rhymecorruption,death,
A Picasso President Limerickhow i feel,
SWANA Zion Reich and Load Coupletchristian,islamic,jewish,
End is Certain Free verseconflict,devotion,humanit
Sipping Claret from a Lismore Goblet Free versesad,wine,
Hitler Two Point Oh Senryuholocaust,humanity,war,
Dance Coupletwar,
Final Words of a Bereft Poet Elegybereavement,poetry,
Half Past Midnight's Darkest Hour Elegybereavement,death,
On a Transgender Child Listanti bullying,gender,worl
what a shame about his name! - bawdy warning Limerickhumorous,irony,work,

Fav Poets


Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry