Sukhema knows about impermanence. He has lost his name (Larry Butler), his country (the United States of America), and more than a friend or two along his journey.  He encounters it all with the heart of a poet. And as you listen to our discussion, you will hear him use poetry to teach us all about the importance of the art of losing things. he introduced me to ‘One Art’ by Elizabeth Bishop. This passage works well with our theme on this season of the Death Dhamma podcast,

Lose something every day.  Accept the fluster

 of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.

 The art of losing isn’t hard to master.

Sukhema is the co-editor of Living Our Dying.  A work inspired by his friend the late David Donnison. Living Our Dying includes the work of thirty-two writers, and was compiled to creatively discuss a subject often regarded as taboo.

Sukhema also facilitates a group called die-a-log.  Creating an environment where a small group of people get together and discuss death. It is informal, there are no notes, just sharing and speaking from the heart. 

His ease at sharing from the heart is evident throughout our discussion. I encourage you to listen in and hear from someone who masterfully lives with the impermanence of losing a watch, will help his granddaughter bury her hamster, and oversee memorial services for his own friends and loved ones.

For more on his work, please visit https://playspacepublications.com/.