In Memory of Sapphire Blue

[pamela]

Sapphire Blue's daughter, Indigo, posted a thread earlier this evening in her mother's name. I know that many Duers have been wondering where Sapphire Blue has been lately and we, very sadly, learned in that thread that she passed away last year, right after Thanksgiving. Here is the thread if you want to read it and leave a message for Indigo. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5908505

I know there are many, many DUers who loved Sapphire Blue and admired her tireless efforts on behalf of the poor. My heart goes out to all of you. She has been missed and will be missed for a long time.

I found an old thread in which Katinmn posted a poem for Sapphire Blue several years ago. I thought I'd repost that poem here. (I hope Kat won't mind. Here's the original thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=27974 )

The weary warrior’s eyes glazed
contemplative or angry
I could not tell
with me no longer

Weary
she said
Simply weary
too much anger
so little change
a thousand wounds
a blog for every wrong
ten mittened fingers for a hundred weeping dikes
no answer blowing in some long forgotten wind

Cries for justice dissonant
rhythm less
language sans syntax
one vote one veto
Nations united for commerce
oil for food to nourish cannon fodder for the machine
marching us ever forward to our doom

Ten mittened fingers for a thousand weeping dikes
no answer blowing in some long forgotten wind

I wished to lift her up
carry her home
To say on eagle’s wings brought more remembering
of mercury
still more than all the world allows
And DDT
feathered first people dancing in the desert

A journey of a thousand miles
ends while its beginning
turn turn turning in the wind

Here and here and here she thrusts and parries
The Patriot Act
Iran Iraq
Katrina Katrina
Her winds lay bare the weakened levies
the heart of health care
poverty
equal rights
now decimal points
not points of light
Here a phantom
There a blog
Here a demi-god
saying the sanctity of heterosexual
is worth going to war for

St Joan and Mother Courage long forgot
This new created Lorna Doone fights on
Search through the countless headless windmills
necromancer politicians and their pals create
openly enticing us to lose our brotherhood to hate

Thrust and parry
thrust and parry
she can not stop to rest
Thrust and parry
Thrust and parry
Working for the brightness at its best
Ten mittened grasping caring fingers
carry on the fight

--Jeff McCallum


Rest in Peace, Sapphire Blue. You fought the good fight and you were deeply loved and respected here.

[flamingyouth]

1. Oh my God, I hadn't seen this other thread.

I can't tell you how sorry I am to read this.

She did indeed fight the good fight.

[JDPriestly]

96. In her memory, please sign up to support Half in Ten,

the new poverty program with which John Edwards works.

http://www.halfinten.org

[calimary]

2. Aw DAMN. DAMN.

I'm so sorry to hear that!!!

I used to enjoy PMing with her, and always was so pleased when she'd kick a thread of mine.

I'm so sorry.

Rest in Peace, dear Sapphire. You were a beautiful gem, for sure.

:cry: :patriot: :hug:



Btw - thank you, pamela, for that update. I did not know, but I certainly noticed her absence and wondered.

[Fenris]

3. So tragic. She was such a wonderful human being.

We need many more like her around here. :(

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. R.I.P. Sapphire Blue

[BlooInBloo]

5. OMG. :(

[AlCzervik]

6. oh no!

i am so sad to read this, i had no idea. She was a very caring a big hearted person. My best to her family and Resp in peace Sapphire Blue.

[uppityperson]

7. I am so sorry, thank you for posting this, with much saddness.

[HardWorkingDem]

8. Sincere condolences....

We PM'd over a controversial death penalty case about differing opinions. She was a very classy lady and wonderful in her replies.

My sincere condolences to her family, friends and those who knew her.

[blondeatlast]

9. My heart goes out to Sapphire Blue's family.

Rest in God's loving embrace, my distant friend, and know that you touched me even from this impersonal methid of communication.

Thank you, pamela, for sharing this--and that poem is wonderful.

[Change has come]

10. Thank you for posting this.

What a perfect way to reflect on Sapphire Blue. :cry:

[countryjake]

11. It breaks my heart to read this post...peace to Sapphire Blue

All my sympathy to Indigo and everyone who loved her mom

:grouphug:

Thanks pamela, for reposting that pertinent poem!

:cry:

[EFerrari]

12. I can't believe it.

Goodbye, my friend.

[orleans]

13. thanks for posting this. now we know. n/t

[nofurylike]

14. ...

[Cerridwen]

15. noooooooooooooooooooo

nooooooooooooooooooooo

noooooooooooooooooooo

nooooooooooooooooooo

:cry:

[dogday]

16. This just blew me away...

Sapphire Blue was one of the most ardent supporters who championed the cause of the poor.... She has, and will be missed....

[1]

17. Indigo, i am so sorry...

i always read your mother's posts with great interest. a wonderful woman with incredible insight.

she will be missed. i hope all of the best for you.

[pamela]

20. Indigo may not see this thread...

but here is a link to a thread she is posting in. You may want to post your condolences there so she will be sure to see them.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5908505

[Nutmegger]

18. R&K for SB

:cry:

Thank you for posting this.

[Arctic Dave]

19. Peace to you my fellow traveler.

[Breeze54]

21. Sapphire Blue was just awesome! ~ I'm so sad to hear this news!!

:cry:

I thought a lot of people had just taken a vacation and bailed out due to the infighting and the primaries.

Sapphire Blue will be and is sorely missed. :(

K&R

Heading to Indigo's thread now...

[eridani]

22. She was one of the best advocates for poor people

Everyone wants to fight for the middle class and the working class, but people who are forced out of either of those classes get forgotten.

[earth mom]

23. RIP Sapphire Blue....

[ismnotwasm]

24. Oh God I didn't know

I always looked for her threads. She was wonderful advocate for the poor.

[melody]

25. Sapphire Blue was a bright spirit

I'd hoped it was just the ongoing rancor keeping her away.

This is so very, very sad.

[lonestarnot]

26. OMG

Saphire Blue must have a powerful spirit as I have been feeling her spirit and wondering where she was. I didn't even know she was ill. I am so sorry to hear this. :cry: She was truly a warrior for the poor. She is missed.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

27. Oh no. I adored Sapphire Blue.

This is such sad news. :cry: :cry: :cry:

My sympathies to her friends and family, she was a marvelous lady with a great heart.

[truedelphi]

75. I know. I know. It is so brutally sad to think she is gone

I once emailed her to ask why she had chosen the lovely "Sapphire Blue" as her DU user name.

She related how she had stumbled upon a meditation involving thinking and visualizing on the color Blue and how this had helped her deal with her liver ailments. At one point, it reduced them or perhaps even removed them. (This was after Doctors had told her nothing could be done for her.)

She was so joyous in the way she related the tale. I will always remember the joy she conveyed to me.

And also her honest anger and concern for the horrible things that have gone on in this country's once fine name.

[JNelson6563]

28. I had often wondered

So very sorry to hear this. :cry:

Julie

[malaise]

29. Wow!

RIP Sapphire Blue :cry: :cry:

[H2O Man]

30. RIP

Sapphire Blue was a true friend.

[Jeanette in FL]

31. I am so sorry

Rest in Peace, Sapphire Blue. Condolences to her family and friends. What a shock to read this thread.

Peace to her.

[Solly Mack]

32. Oh damn

:(

She lived, she touched my life - and I was blessed because of it.

RIP, SB.

[G_j]

33. thank you

[Joanne98]

34. Oh no! RIP Sapphire Blue..

[Annces]

35. Thanks for the good posts Sapphire Blue

I think there were some good ones.

[peekaloo]

36. RIP to a valued contributor.

:-(

[horseshoecrab]

37. A dear one

Sapphire Blue was a dear one, and a lightworker of the first order.

May she rest in peace.

:cry:

horseshoecrab

[Lochloosa]

38. She Will Be MIssed.....

:hug:

[smokey nj]

39. RIP Sapphire Blue

:cry:

[yellerpup]

40. She was a good, good person.

She will be missed. K&R.

[lovuian]

41. Rest in Peace Saphire Blue

[tblue37]

42. How sad! My sympathy to her family. n/t

[Mezzo]

43. Sapphire Blue was one of the best.

I am so sorry for her family's loss, as well as the loss we all feel here. Her presence is sorely missed.

[Canuckistanian]

44. My God, I never realized she was gone

We exchanged PM's when she said she was leaving DU. I thought she was just angry at something.

(((((hugs))))) to you, SB!

And RIP. :cry:

[Dystopian]

45. so very sorry to hear this.....

Thank you for letting us know...
She was loved by so many....

peace~

[Irishonly]

46. I am so sorry

I had wondered where she was. I am so saddened to hear the news and my prayers go out to her family. Sapphire was an inspiration to me and the world is a little sadder without her although the stars will be brighter.

[SeattleGirl]

47. Reading this broke my heart.

What a lovely, lovely person she was.

My condolences to her family, and may she rest peacefully. :cry:

[EFerrari]

64. . . .

:cry:

:hug:

[pnwmom]

48. Sapphire Blue will be greatly missed. Thank you so much for posting this.

Rest in peace, Sapphire Blue.

And my deepest condolences, Indigo, to you and your family.

[me b zola]

49. (((((((((((((( Sapphire Blue )))))))))))))

Your tireless work, your kind and determined spirit have touched so many.

[WillyT]

50. Oh Man...

:cry:

Rest in Peace, Sapphire Blue.

[Bluerthanblue]

51. the world is a lesser

place without her.

But her voice echoes on.

Thank you for posting this.


Sending wishes for peace and comfort to all-
Especially her family.


blu

[Straight Shooter]

52. One of Sapphire Blue's favorite songs was "Over The Rainbow"

So I dedicate this to her, a beautiful farewell tribute to Iz (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) who sang Over The Rainbow. I know Sapphire Blue's voice has joined his now to sing of the beauty one can find, if the heart seeks it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0OMLoAtC9RY

You're over the rainbow now, Sapphire Blue.

[hfojvt]

85. I love that song too

but not his version since he messes up the lyrics as I know them from Oz. Iz reminded me of the Hawaiian guy in the movie Shallow Hal, but I guess he died before that was made. Kinda funny though as I was just skimming through the movie and as Hal and Gwyneth sit down on their first date the jukebox is playing "Over the Rainbow" but I don't think it's his version, nor the Oz version.

[ClayZ]

53. Saphire Blue... Rest in peace, dear one!

I too, wondered about her often. She inspired me.

Thank you for posting this poem.

[Uncle Joe]

54. Rest in Peace, Sapphire Blue.

:(

[Booster]

55. Oh, damn it. Sapphire Blue was one of a handful of DUer's that

I got really close to by email. I missed her all year and I will miss her forever. She was a great woman and what a fighter. RIP, dear Lady; you've earned the rest.

[bonito]

56. Very sad n/t

[Mz Pip]

57. So very sorry.

You are missed. RIP.

[OhioChick]

58. It saddens me to hear this. n/t

[bobbolink]

59. Sapphire Blue was, by turns, gentle, enraged, monumentally discouraged, happy...

and all the other emotions that go with being a prophet.

And a prophet she was! Many of her threads sunk with hardly a whimper, because she took up an unpopular, unsexy cause.

Sometimes they were noticed and supported, and that made her happy.

Towards the last, she was even mocked and villified, yes, dear ladies and gents, right here at DU, she was mocked for her anger at poor folk being ignored.

Yes, she was ANGRY.

Many times I'd have a PM in my inbox from her, raging and asking "What do I do to get people to notice? What do I do to get people involved?"

Many times she was angry and to the point of dismissing people as hopelessly uncaring.

Many times she was discouraged and completely dishearted. BUT, she would come back and try again.

We can do no less.

You have deserved it many times over, Sapphire Blue--Rest In Peace, dear lady!

[ms liberty]

60. I didn't see the other thread, but I had wondered...

Knowing she had been ill, and not having seen her here in a while. I am so sorry to hear this!

Godspeed, Sapphire Blue. My symapathies to Indigo and her family.

[Danger Mouse]

61. rest in peace.

[flashl]

62. K&R

[opihimoimoi]

63. RIP......she is at peace...away from the maddening crowds...missed by many I am sure.

[cascadiance]

65. So sorry... Hope my Oliver finds Saphire Blue in the afterlife...

He looks like Saphire Blue would be a good name for him also in this picture...



We put him down the Monday after Thanksgiving last year too. I still miss him daily

Hope they found each other when they both entered the afterlife!... He'd be a good friend for many there!

[tularetom]

66. I knew DU had somehow been diminished the past few months

Now I know one of the main reasons why.

RIP Sapphire Blue

[RevolutionStartsNow]

67. Sapphire Blue worked harder than anyone at DU to raise poverty awareness

I know she got frustrated sometimes, because people were most interested in or about Britney Spears than about the crushing poverty in this country, or more recently, about John Edwards' house than about his plans to address the poverty crisis.

She inspired me, and I'm sure many others here. She reminded me constantly that we are not doing enough.

She will be deeply deeply missed, and DU will feel her absence.

[bobbolink]

132. Are DUers more interested in Britney Spears than in poverty?

If not, then DU can become the bastion of poverty ACTION.

Sadly, DU is just as unconcerned as the rest of the Dem party, and the nation.

:(

[applegrove]

68. OMG - that is so sad. Sorry to her family.

[Richard Steele]

69. She was one of the best. RIP.

[graywarrior]

70. Very sorry to hear this.

She was a special lady.

[EFerrari]

71. Kick

[Fox Mulder]

72. Oh no!

:( :cry:

[Omaha Steve]

73. Things tend to get lost around the busy holidays

She and I got along very well. It just seems like we all lost track. Know we know why she left us.

[Coexist]

74. this is such sad news.

[truedelphi]

76. Pamela thank you for letting us know

And thank you for posting this wonderful poem.

And Sweet friend, rest in peace and in joy and true relaxation. We will continue to fight the good fight you started.

[mzmolly]

77. I am so sorry. Sapphire Blue was a treasure

who will be greatly missed.

[mike_c]

78. damn, I missed the orginal thread-- thanks for posting this followup....

RIP Sapphire Blue. Her posts inspired many of us.

[otherlander]

79. She was one of the great ones.

:cry:

[lightningandsnow]

80. Oh no!

So sorry to hear that. She will be missed.

[Pushed To The Left]

81. I'm very sorry to hear about this. RIP Sapphire Blue

I could tell from her posts what a kind,caring and progressive person she was. She will definitely be missed.

[Hekate]

82. Rest sweetly from your labors, Sapphire Blue. You have been missed, and will always be missed.

:cry:

Hekate

[Sapphire Blue]

83. Thank you, pamela, for this exquisite post, and thank you to everyone who has posted here.

My mom said this was a beautiful community, and I see it reflected here; you are all so very kind!

I hope you will all take to heart one of her last requests, something she told us: "I know that you're going to miss me when I'm gone. Shed your tears, then open the door and look outside; there's a whole world that needs your attention, a whole world that needs fixing. Do whatever you can, in any way that you can, whenever you can. So many people need you desperately."


Much love and my deepest appreciation to all,

Indigo

[pamela]

102. I hope you'll stick around.

Sign up for an account and join us. If you do, let me know and I'll donate in your name so you can get a star and post in some of the groups. DU can be crazy around primary season but there are still good discussions to be found in the group forums.

[juajen]

114. This community loved her. I hope you will join us also.

Our humanity is never more obvious than when we have lost part of our heart.

[EFerrari]

84. For those of us who need a text right now -- a gentle one

A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING.
by John Donne


AS virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."

So let us melt, and make no noise, 5
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears ;
Men reckon what it did, and meant ; 10
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love
—Whose soul is sense—cannot admit
Of absence, 'cause it doth remove 15
The thing which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20

Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.

And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35
And makes me end where I begun.

[countryjake]

86. and for any who may need a reminder of what our dear friend stood for...

Mazel tov
posted by Sapphire Blue Apr-07-07
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=596685&mesg_id=596685

[riverdeep]

109. Oh my.

This one really sticks out and grabs me:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that you will work for justice, equality and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

- A Franciscan benediction

[knitter4democracy]

87. I'd wondered where she'd been. I'm so sorry. She was a light.

A true light in the darkness. An amazing person. It's so damn hard to say goodbye to someone as wonderful as she was.

[FourScore]

88. This is very sad indeed. n/t

[juno jones]

89. That sucks

I've enjoyed her posts here for a very long time (longer that I've been a *member*).

Condolences to her family.

[saracat]

90. Sapphire Blue was among the greats. Her like no longer graces DU and we are poorer for it. RIP.

[nam78_two]

91. K&R

Sapphire was a wonderful person-she will really be missed by this community. I often wondered what happened to her after she stopped posting. But she had indicated in one of the last times we talked that she might be taking break from posting because she was tired and in pain...
I am really sad to hear about her passing-she was such a compassionate and caring person.

[formercia]

92. Another voice silenced

another voice that was needed in the fight
We will not forget you
another memory to keep.

[BoneDaddy]

93. RIP SaphBlue

Godspeed

[JitterbugPerfume]

94. How sad.

she was a wonderful and compassionate person

[Redstone]

95. Go easy, SB. Go easy. Indigo, your mom was one of the good ones. Remember that.

Redstone

[bliss_eternal]

97. ...words fail me.

:cry:

[calimary]

98. Wanna keep this kicked.

Damn.

Sapphire!

Shit!

I miss you.

We miss you.

At least you get to relax now.

Thinking of you will help us fight on.

:patriot:

[madrchsod]

99. the good ones leave to early..........

[Olney Blue]

100. Sapphire Blue? Oh no......

:cry:


Indigo, I'm sorry.

[JeffR]

101. "Sapphire" - John Martyn

I watch the day go down
Sapphire
I watch my luck turn round
A high flyer
I threw my bones around
Sure fire
I watch the current run
Live wire
Clear blue
Too true
Clear blue
Too true.

I don't know what to do
I got no place to go
Oh the day I lost my sweet Sapphire
My precious gems are dust
There's nothing left to trust
Oh the days I'll miss sweet Sapphire.

I saw her running round
Sweet liar.
And I ran the garden path
Sweet briar
I did just what I could
So tired
I threw my keys away
With no desire
Clear blue
Too true.

I don't know what to do
I got no place to go
Oh the days I miss sweet Sapphire
My precious gems are dust
There's nothing left to trust
Oh the days I'll miss sweet Sapphire.

I got no place to go
I don't know what to do
Ooh, the dream about Sapphire
I don't know what to do
I got nowhere to go
I got no face to show without Sapphire.

My precious gems are dust
There's nothing left to trust
oh since the day I lost my sweet Sapphire
There's nothing I can trust
My precious gems are dust
Oh, the day I lost sweet Sapphire.

I don't know what to do
I don't know where to go
Oh the day I lost my sweet Sapphire.

[NJCher]

103. I remember her posts well

I always remembered her posts. She was exceptional.



Cher

[KamaAina]

104. Auwe!

no translation necessary.

We did, on occasion, have our differences. I don't even remember why now. I guess it doesn't matter. :(

[Octafish]

105. Thank you for caring, Sapphire Blue -- about ALL of us.

She absolutely pegged what was going on:

George Bush and the Rise of Christian Fascism

Links... George W Bush Has GOT to Go

“Our lives no longer belong to us alone; they belong to all those who need us desperately.” – Elie Wiesel

Until we meet again, I will miss you, Sapphire Blue.

[JI7]

106. very sad

i'm sorry to Indigo and the rest of her family.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

107. A very sad day for DU

as we learn of the passing of yet another of our finest. :cry:

Sigh: Khephra, Andy Stevenson, Nostamj, Alarcojon. Playahata, Mikimouse, All Junk Mail, oneeighty, perhaps others who came and went unnoticed, and now Sapphire Blue.

[devilgrrl]

108. RIP Sapphire Blue

:(

[GreenPartyVoter]

110. Oh, wow! I had no idea. I am so very sorry. *hugs to the family*

[riverdeep]

111. I went and looked up some of her threads.

As I didn't recall her very well. She came across as an actualization of our better natures. Not shoving our face in shame or guilt, just asking to do something, whatever you could do.

She definitely will be missed.

[Ava]

112. oh no, i didn't see the other thread

this really is sad news :(

RIP Sapphire Blue and my condolences to Indigo and the rest of her family and friends.

[Blue Fire]

113. We've lost a wonderful person, and the poor have lost a champion.

:cry:

Nobody can take her place. But together we can carry on her fight for the poor. :grouphug:
Against the machine. For justice.

[Plaid Adder]

115. I am very sorry to hear she is gone.

I was hoping when I clicked on the thread title that it wasn't what I thought it was. But it was.

Thanks for letting us know. My condolences to her family and to all of you who loved her and will miss her.

The Plaid Adder

[DeepModem Mom]

116. What a great soul, and what a loss to this community! Deepest condolences to her loved ones.

[Old and In the Way]

117. Very sad news

[Stop Cornyn]

118. miss her

[calimary]

119. 'Nother kick

just so everybody gets the word.

[countryjake]

130. and another

for the same reason.

[FrenchieCat]

120. sad.

I remember her posts!!
May she be resting in peace......

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

121. God bless

[Avalux]

122. I am so very sorry to hear this.

May the good works she did live on and serve as an example to others.

RIP Sapphire Blue. :cry:

[lavenderdiva]

123. my heart goes out to you Indigo Blue on your mother's passing

I always looked forward to reading your mom's posts. I appreciated her point of view and her eloquence. I'm so very sorry to hear of her passing, and will miss her input into DU. :hug: :cry: :hug:

[awoke_in_2003]

124. Damnit

another voice of reason gone. Peace to her and her daughter.

[AZBlue]

125. I'm so sorry to hear that!!

[Toasterlad]

126. This Place Didn't Deserve Her.

How sad that upon hearing of her death for the first time, all I can think about is all the abuse - direct and indirect - she had to take on this site. We are so very much poorer for this loss; I wonder how many people who've said that really understand why?

What a ballsy, kick-ass, principled woman she was. R.I.P., Sapph...we'll try our best to keep the fight going for you.

[EFerrari]

131. We didn't deserve her but we needed her and she understood that.

:hug:
:grouphug:

[EFerrari]

127. Kick

[LWolf]

128. .

.

[calimary]

129. And peace and much love to you, Indigo Blue.

We celebrate you - and your remarkable mom - on this Mother's Day.

She isn't forgotten. Nor are you.

[Beaverhausen]

133. Just seeing this

:cry: