Off The Page~ a multimedia exploration of painting, poetry, storytelling and music
Watching the multiple videos of Alex Pretti's killing was horrifying. I also watched over again the video of Alex honoring a deceased vet. I was once a nurse and worked with seriously ill pediatric patients and I know from experience the stamina, physical and emotional involved in caring for very ill patients. Alex Pretti was a man who cared deeply and I did not know how to contextualize these unlawful and violent acts committed by my government and it's the present government which, in my opinion, is ultimately responsible for them.
To contextualize my overwhelming feelings I read a poem by Jo Fasano. Every part of the poem was tender and this stanza stayed with me.
%/Because his last words were for a woman;
because he asked,
are you okay, are you okay:
Because he had learned to say it
by standing each night beside the dying;/
… even then, even at the ending-
to do what he was there to do:heal.%. ~ Joseph Fasano
I hope you too find solace with this poem,
www.upaya.org/2026/01/for-alex-pretti-b…