In Memoriam: Ronnog Seaberg



Atlanta poet, novelist, filmmaker, performer Ronnog Seaberg passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke. She was a true original. Just watch the performance with her husband Steve above. I was always delighted to see them perform (often nude!). Steve would lift and hold Ronnog in these acrobatic poses while she read her poetry. Film buffs will know the Seaberg's from Wim Wenders' Soul of a Man, where they discussed the documentaries they had made about blues musician J.B. Lenoir in the 60s. I was happy to get to know Ronnog and publish her work in the Java Monkey Speaks Anthology Vol. II. She will be missed. You can read more about Ronnog and Seaberg Acrobatic Poetry at this link. Below is her poem from the anthology.

Tsunami Skulls

Most of us didn't even know the word
before we died.

Most of us looked alike before and after death
Brown tourists surfing past the boards,
the boarders, the boats and fish
resting their bony bodies for a long time
ash in the sea.

We were the fisherman, wives,
nets, goats and pigs
looking so much alike now.
We were mud and trees
losing our trunks and fronds.

We were touching the surface of existence
for an instant.
Nature is no mother.
Mothers were we.
Before the skulls broke loose
we went to open sea.

Comments

Peter said…
OMG! I have never seen anything like this.
I'm not sure what to say.
Amazing.
Collin Kelley said…
Yes, speechless was usually the first reaction of anyone who saw the Seabergs in action. It always shook things up a bit at a reading when they performed. Fascinating to watch.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the link.
What a great lady/couple...
I first met them at a party at a pal's house intown(a New Year's Eve--2001, I believe).I saw "The Amazing Seabergs" perform a few times. Wow, Wow, and Wow.
Thanks Coll for the homage to her.Truly a great loss....

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