In Celebration of the Life of Wieste (Vic) Ratsma | Featured Activist |Axisoflogic.com

The following eulogy was written at the request of the family of Wieste (Vic)Ratsma for their "Celebration of Life" which will be conducted tomorrow in Nova Scotia. Wieste wrote essays and poetry for Axis readers beginning in June, 2003, one month after we launched Axis of Logic. Later, he became an Axis Columnist, and continued his work up until a month prior to his death on November 17, 2004. More information about Wieste's life and work and his photograph can be found in A Tribute and Memorial to Wieste (Vic) Ratsma, Axis of Logic Columnist, which we published on November 17. - Les Blough, Editor

In Celebration of the Life of Wieste V. Ratsma

I am probably the least qualified to talk about Wieste Ratsma among those gathered at this celebration of his life because I have only known him for about a year and a half. But I feel like I have known him all my life. I first became acquainted with Wieste when he first submitted poetry to our political website, Axis of Logic, in June, 2003. The first poem he submitted, under the title, Ill Winds, concluded with the following words:

The world is awash with resistance forces
Prepared to die for their peoples' causes
For freedom they love, and for freedom they fight
Free from oppressors, exploiters, their might
No more occupations by foreigners hands
And no more theft of the wealth from their lands
People's hopes and dreams fulfilled by their own
As they labour to build a new world, stone by stone.

Our Earth and our world, both deep in despair
From destruction of nature and lives, so unfair
Revolution or death is the choice of mankind
Let's end greed and corruption, restore nature, find
Peace in the land and war to be banned
Or will it be Armageddon? A lifeless end?

They are ill winds that are raging these days,
Will we learn how to cope, by mending our ways?

Later, we were so impressed by his life work, wisdom, skills and sweet personality that we invited him to write essays and poetry as a regular columnist for Axis of Logic. He graciously accepted our invitation and we were delighted. Earlier this year, when I asked him if he would consider learning to use our software and publishing directly on our website, he quickly agreed and was adept at learning to use the latest internet publishing technology.

He dedicated his life as a lifelong political activist, peacemaker, organizer against war and oppression. He was a leader, an organizer, essayist, poet, husband, father, son and friend. Since Wieste began working with us, we have received many letters from readers internationally who have enjoyed and learned from his writings. I could say much more about what I�ve learned about his important life-work, but most of you gathered here already know about his history as an author and organizer for world peace and justice.

Through regular correspondence and many telephone conversations during the past year and a half, Vic became a personal friend, confidant and colleague in the international effort to promote peace, end war and stop U.S. aggression, imperialism and colonization abroad. In a telephone conversation in May of this year, Wieste told me he planned to travel to Holland to visit friends, family and his 98 year old mother. In a later conversation, he told me that he fell sick during his visit in Holland and upon his return home to Nova Scotia his condition became much worse. Since these first signs of illness, Wieste continued his courageous battle against war and oppression on one flank and against the disease that took him from us on the other. A week or so before his death, he spoke to me from his hospital bed and I told him about my own sorrow that he had to endure physical suffering. He replied that he felt fortunate that he had been given a good, long life. He said his suffering could not be compared with the suffering of people in places like Iraq and Africa. His compassion for others had a depth and breadth rarely found among the most developed human beings I have known in my lifetime. In his essay titled "Marsicon", he wrote:

"The God most people know in any religion is a God of love, a God who preaches tolerance, sharing and care for your fellow human beings."

In the last month or two of his life, I have witnessed Wieste taking care of his family and friends to help prepare us for his absence. When I told him that I had briefly spoken to Norma when I called his home -and that she seemed to be doing well, he replied, "Well you know, she has a lot of courage and puts on a good show of it". The selflessness and courage he exhibited in the closing days of his life fits the man as I have been blessed to know. Wieste persisted with his work even when sick and fatigued. From his hospital bed, a week before he died, Vic said that he could no longer write and complained that he didn�t have an internet connection in the hospital, but said he could continue to work through telephone interviews as long as he was able.

His grace during the last few weeks was exemplary for all of us. In our last conversation, Wieste told me that he had "truly accepted" his terminal disease. He said he felt "completely calm" and "fully prepared" for his approaching journey. I could hear his inner calm in his voice. The poet, Dylan Thomas wrote, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night. In the first stanza of the poem Thomas wrote:

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wieste defied Thomas� passionate words. He did not "burn and rave at close of day". He did not "rage against the dying of the light". Wieste knew that he had fulfilled his life long responsibilities from "true self". He had fulfilled his responsibilities toward all humankind and realized completion of his life-work. To the very end, he took care of those around him. Wieste did "go gentle into that good night". On November 15, Angela wrote to tell me that Wieste had requested that his IV be removed. In doing so, he continued his practice of taking responsibility for himself and his family. He knew the time had come to leave us and he did so, gently. He exemplified everything any of us could ever hope to be in our lifetimes. I have come to love the man as a friend and colleague. While deeply saddened, my weeping is not for him. It is only for myself to have not known him longer and better. I know that I am richly blessed to have known Wieste at all.

Wieste V. Ratsma was a courageous, intelligent, caring and gentle man. He continues to be the same in our hearts and minds. I somehow feel even closer to him now than when I was privileged to correspond and talk with him. We express our deepest sympathy and wish comfort and much inner peace to Norma and each member of his family. His life, death and spirit gives wings to ours as we soar with him in his cause to bring an end to war, poverty and human suffering.

When I wrote a brief biography for him to introduce him to our readers last year, one of the titles I gave to him was "a poet". In a subsequent phone call, Wieste argued that he was not qualified to be called a poet and made me change that label to "he occasionally writes some poetry as well". Now I will now call him a poet once again, over his objection. Wieste�s last written gift to the world through Axis of Logic was a poem he wrote, which he titled, Voices from the Dead. In verse, he gave a voice to the soldiers who have died and continue to die in Iraq. Even as he spoke for them, we will continue to give voice to Wieste�s message to the world. We ask, if possible ... and appropriate ... that Wieste�s last poem be read at this celebration of life as he speaks to us still.

Peace,

Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic Boston, MA (USA)
www.axisoflogic.com
Mail: les@axisoflogic.com
Phone: 617-787-3498


Voices from The Dead

Quietly we lie, scattered across the land
separated from our comrades in battle,
returned home in a pre-paid coffin
draped by an American flag,
and put to rest in a hometown plot.
We are the dead.

They told us that we would be heroes
fighting for a noble cause.
Save our country, save their country,
they'd welcome us with open arms.
But no flowers, only bullets
greeted us when we arrived.
And now, we are the dead.

We may be silent, voices muted,
yet we speak to hearts and minds.
Our noble cause, we know was terror
for us and for those in that far-away land.
The ramparts we watched were not ours to defend
And the flag that we placed was a thorn in their eyes.
No, this was no act of valour or glory
We were misled, deceived by our own
Too late we learned.
We are the dead.

A thousand voices like a choir are rising,
voices from our separate graves.
Who knows how many more will join us
blown to pieces, by bombs and grenades?
Do you hear us? People? Leaders?
Bring an end to this murderous act.
So others may live, be useful and creative
For we, we are already dead.

We were Americans, just like you
African, Mexican, Indian, white Americans
Citizens from many walks of life,
except for those from wealthy stock
who yearned for war, but did not flock to fight.
Their fight be fought by others instead,
So they go on living,
while we are dead.

Must war be always a part of men
to satisfy their greed and corruption?
To take what doesn't belongs to them
So they may live in wealthy indulgence?
There is, we know, a better way
One that meets peoples needs and desires.
Let's battle disease and hunger instead,
for that'll save lives, not destroy them.
We speak from our graves to you who still live
To better the world while you can.
Life is too short, we know it full well
For we, as you know, are the dead.


Published on Axis of Logic on October 1, 2004