A young Orlovsky
Peter Orlovsky, poet, dharma-maverick, and longtime companion of Allen Ginsberg, has died. Friend Chuck Lief reports: “Peter died this morning at 11:30 am. We are working on the funeral arrangements now, which will take place at the Karme Choling Meditation Center in Barnet, Vermont.”
Born in 1933, Orlovsky’s New York life would take a turn towards fame in 1954 when he met Ginsberg. Famously handsome — he even appeared in films by Andy Warhol and Robert Frank — Orlovsky would quickly became a muse and confidant of Ginsberg’s, but this was to be no mere fling. Instead, their meeting proved life-changing meeting for both men, who would be together until Ginsberg’s death in 1997.
Orlovsky was of course a poet in his own right, teaching at Naropa Institute’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics beginning in 1974 and also publishing off and on throughout his life.
Our thoughts are with all the many people whose lives have been touched by Orlovsky’s work and presence. (Update: see inside this post’s comments for a statement regarding Peter’s passing by Anne Waldman.)
See also: Impossible Happiness: An Elegy for Peter Orlvosky — by Steve Silberman, featuring never-before-seen photos by Cliff Fyman.
My condolences to Peter’s family.
so sad! send light.
Step into the Bardo dear friend
Thanks Chuck & Judy and the many people in the Shambhala community who made Peter's last decade a meaningful one with such care & love.
Any information on Peter's surviving family members? I would hope somebody could be in Vermont Wednesday.
A statement by Anne Waldman on Peter's death:
“The Shellean farmer astride hid Pegasusian tractor,” as Gregory Corso once knighted him, passed on today, May 30 2010 to the elysian fields, a bardo of becoming. First glance hour earlier Peter was resting with “trach” in throat in orange sheets at the kind Vt Respite Center in Williston, Vermont ( but no extra tubes/ heroic measures for this advanced cancer on his lung!), a copy of the Songs of Saraha by his pillow, photo of beloved Allen Ginsberg companion of many years on the wall, other Buddhist images, iPod of music he loved including chants by Buddhist nuns, cards from friends and out the window a bird feeder with finch and red-winged blackbirds landing/taking off. Chuck and Judith Lief, faithful guardians and friends at his side. He had been moved less than 48 hours earlier from intensive care at a hospital in Boston, finally to hospice. His body we were touching we noticed suddenly turned cold like death was in the room. We got the nurse. Judy and I stepped out when suddenly Chuck called us back. Peter had opened his eyes. Chuck said “It might be the last time”. By his side now, looking into his eyes told out love, I thanked him for his presence in our lives, his poetry his care and love for Allen, his work at Naropa. Ah, I thought a flash of recognition shivering through! slight movement of mouth, light coming in on his handsome face through the window now, and Judy singing om a hum vajra guua padma siddhi hum in crystal voice said “don’t be afraid”. Joined in. Last breathes, one coming late, staggered: his heart/breath stopt. Poet Christina Lovin in room with nurse gave gentle witness who checked the clock 11:39 I think or so a.m. Earlier we’d played recording of Peter singing his Raspberry Song with great heart-soaring yodel and “how sweet you are”. “Make my grave shape of heart so like a flower be free aired and handsome felt” ( “The Snail”). Tibetan Book of the Dead readings, in full final repose arranged with blue shirt, hands folded, consciousness a joyful gardener sprite? no fear, no fear working its way out…
Anne Waldman 5.30.2010
Vt Studio Center
MY LOVE, THOUGHTS & PRAYERS FOR PETER ORLOVSKY – I NEVER MET HIM IN PERSON BUT FELT THAT I DID KNOW HIM THRU HIS WORKS & ACTIONS & AS A GENTLE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEING THAT HE WAS – 'OCEAN OF GENROSITY' I WILL RAISE A FEW GLASSES IN HONOUR OF SUCH A POET & LOVER OF LIFE –
JOHN D ROBINSON
Rest in Peace, dear Peter, such a gentle and inspiring soul, whose life was his one true poem.
Please post details about Peter's funeral–is it open to the public (his former students?)
Thank you.
Lesléa Newman
Go into the bardo fields awake, petals of now and being surrendered by those who love you! I never met you, but somehow swirled in the same Naropa-time-sea in one era of Ginsberg and friends, and heard your name countless times.
Thanks to Judy and Chuck and St. J sangha for caring for Peter so well.
Thanks Shambhala SunSpace for the link to Steve Silberman's elegy … so human, breathtaking.