rlboyington

Early in the morning on this day, 18 years ago, a light dimmed.

Peter Marshall Bell 12 July 1959—14 November 1994

Contributed by April, dear friend of Peter Bell and fellow Peace Corps volunteer:

… work on the memoir continues.

In the Spring of 1991, Peter wrote in his journal:

Poor little me!  Can’t have sex with a man without thoughts of china patterns going through my head.  Truly I could become more realistic by now.  Men just don’t bond that easily.

They want a gorgeous man of independent means, I suppose.

For my own part, all I want is an attentive, modest and forthright soul.

In the Spring of 1992, Peter wrote:

Storms pass, the humidity evaporates, a breeze clears our brow.  A new day, a clean slate, a willing spirit and cooperative body.  On ne sait jamais ce qui vient avec le temps. 

In the Autumn of 1992, in the evening of this day twenty years ago, Peter and Raymond met.  I smile – to think that this would be our “china” anniversary.

For those who prefer drama: the brilliant and bittersweet AIDS play will be available at the iTunes Store beginning tomorrow (with a preview and pre-order, if you wish, today).  After a review by partner Jack A Urquhart:

“We have the stars…”—places the two male leads, both recently deceased, in a kind of gay purgatory.  Or is it heaven?  That these ‘lost souls’ transcend their earthly burdens by engaging in ‘Queenly’ (and often hilarious) repartee—the kind of banter that is as mercilessly self-condemnatory as it is all inclusive—before achieving a compassionate and distinctly humane armistice is in keeping with Bell’s thematic quest for wholeness.

Get a direct link to this iBook version by clicking here.

Next up: the erotica.  Then, with additional input from Peter’s friends, colleagues, and students—the memoir.

From Sunday 19 August through Saturday 25 August, the price of the collected short stories, including the 1-act play, will be reduced by ~50%.  Friends, colleagues, and students of Peter Bell – thank you for spreading the news!

The revised and enlarged collection of poems can be viewed at the iTunes Store by clicking here.

This edition contains a poem, in French, by guest poet Véronique Barry.  Ms Barry was a dear, nearly lifelong, friend of Peter Bell, having met him while he was in Bordeaux during his junior year at UC-Davis.  Former FAIS students and colleagues will remember her teaching Peter’s classes during the school year 1994-1995.

Please note: this edition (like that of the short stories and the 1-act play, also new to the iTunes Store) is designed for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod (i.e., for the iBooks app). Enjoy!

The revised and enlarged collection of short stories can be viewed at the iTunes Store by clicking here.

A few typos have been corrected, more media added, and “La Plaie” now appears in the original French as well as in translation.

And, the brilliant and bittersweet 1-act play “We have the stars…” is published for the first time.

Please note: this edition is designed for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod (i.e., for the iBooks app).

Now that I have, more or less, mastered the process of getting a book made for iOS, soon to come are: the enlarged collection of poems and … the Erotica iBook. And finally … still aiming for “by year’s end” … the memoir.