One of my favorite OS writers, Sang Lee, passed away yesterday. He was only 43.
I hate that the world lost such a promising, creative, talent.
Sang’s writings were the kind I looked forward to reading. His style was personal, vulnerable, and yet whimsical at times. I loved how he could weave a story.
I met Sang through his article titled, “In the Air Tonight...”
The next piece that captivated me was, “One Step Beyond...”
Then came “Black Water” and “Fire Dreams.”
These pieces convinced me that Sang was going to affect the writing world with beauty and good. He surely accomplished that for me.
His best friend, Charles Bivona, has told me that Sang’s work will not be lost. Charles is going to attempt to publish Sang’s writing - one way or another.
Sang’s blog here at OS was titled, “Yellow Son - The Western Thoughts of an Eastern Mind.” I regret never knowing him better than the brief interactions on his blog.
I hope you’ll read his few precious articles posted here. Perhaps leave a comment on his most recent post in his memory.
He was a brilliant and gifted writer and artist. His passing makes the frequent dustups at OS seem pretty meaningless compared to how we can encourage the best in one another with our talents.
Rest in peace Sang Yoon Lee. I will miss you.
For those interested on knowing more about this incredible artist, his personal offsite blog can be found at http://yellowson.org/
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Comments
I appreciate the notice and am off to read more.
My condolences, Dennis.
As always, your spirit leads the way to another great spirit. Thank you for this kind and beautiful note. I am going now. ::love:: to all.
One of my favorite poems about a life lost too soon is by Raymond Carver.
Late Fragment
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
I hope that your friend knew he was beloved. I am sorry for your loss. And now off to read what he has left to us.
I couldn't add a thing to that.
As a writer I know that as long as my words have life, so do I. Sang's words remain, and so does he.
Rated. I am so very sorry for our loss, Dennis. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you for letting us know.
R.I.P.
That was Sang.
Thank you for this post.
I would be a hypocrite if I were to sing his praises as I never heard of him until now. In that, I mean that I respect and thank you for your tribute to someone whom you respected and admired. Who of us, were we able to return after death, would not appreciate that?
So why am I all up in arms? Because you did the right thing. You were moved and touched by someone whose work mattered to you as much as his life did. While he was still living, you had discovered him and were there to encourage him in your own thoughtful, quiet inimitable way. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you honored him in his death with equal eloquence.
Nearly nine hours and 50 ratings later, guess what? So many people commenting here how sorry they are and what a tragedy Sang's death is. Promises made left and right to "go and check out his work". Reality check. I just read Sang's entire (too small) archives and few people bothered to take the time to acknowledge this man's incredible writing. Few ratings and even fewer comments on any of his exquisite essays that make you think and feel.
Sang must be shaking his head at the hypocrisy of human behavior when what he left behind was such exquisite writing with important lessons. And yet, even after he died, perhaps only a handful of people even bothered to find out what this man had to say.
It breaks my heart.
You've done that here in honoring both Sang Lee and Charles Bivona--the living and the dead, with which all too often have to endure. You've written a beautiful eulogy, and Bivona's love for his friend is heartbreaking.
Thank you for this beautiful passion, distilled yet encompassing. From what I've read, Lee was a master at it too.
Ní neart go cur le chéile. Bail ó Dhia is Mhuire duit.
Yes, it does make the small dustups here at OS inconsequential.
Thank you for calling my attention to his writing.
Stephanie
Since this post was dedicated to the brilliance of the late Sang Lee, rather than addressing each comment individually, please allow me to simply say thank you, with all my heart, for honoring the memory of gifted artist and one whom this community will surely miss.
I am sure he would hope we all read what meant so much to him. So I will do that at least.
Thank you for writing this concise and lovely memorial piece.