Erick Wujcik

Many of you know that Erick Wujcik died June 7, of pancreatic cancer.

I ran across this passage that I hope will be a reminder to the community here, and the site's purpose, in light of what Erick brought to all of us through self-publishing, and in remembrance of his support for the Forge.

You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary.
And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is work,
And all work is empty save when there is love;
And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.

And what is it to work with love?
It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.
It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.
It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.
It is to charge all things you fashion with the breath of your own spirit,
And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.

- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet