Customer Reviews

Song for Nobody: A Memory Vision of Thomas Merton

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Ron Seitz is a poet who was befriended by Thomas Merton during the last 10 years Of Mertons life. He recorded this "memory vision" about Merton, and it is a delight. He wonders early on why Merton seeks him out and confides in him, then a series of meetings over the final 10 years of his life are explained, full of imagery and delightful wordplay between the two poets. Setz is firm in his belief that Merton was first and foremost a poet, and a poet of the first order, and this is where the initial identification tales place. They became so close that it was Seitz who drove Merton to the Louisville airport as he began his "Asian Journey" which eventually led to his all to early death in Thailand on Dec 10th, 1968. The volume is illustrated with many photographs by the author, and decribes some delightful anecdotal moments. Meton at a jazz club with the author and his wife, The author trying to impress Mertons publisher, the legendary j. laughlin of New Directions{and failing,miserably, until a wonderful musical moment brings it all together], merton and seitz meeting the wonderful minimalist poet {and Mertons best frind] Robert Lax, Merton doing an impromptu dance with Seitz three children around the dinner table to a Jimmy smyth organ piece,and toher such memories.Mention is made of the affair Merton had with margie Smith, a young nurse who attended him in a Louisville hospital after back surgery,without anything salacious... Seitz is a good writer,his memories are heartfelt and above all honest, and has honored his friend by this book. And us, too.

This is not a book to learn about Thomas Merton the thelogian, Thomas Merton the literary figure, or Thomas Merton the Catholic monk. In these pages, you learn from a close friend about Merton the human being.

Seitz takes pains to recall Merton's gestures, speech patterns and poeticism so the reader can sense why the Trappist monk was an imposing world figure: because he lived and perceived the world in a remarkable, creative, insightful, intelligent, earthy, human way.

But this is Seitz's book, not Merton's. By the final pages, you get a sense of what Seitz lost when Merton died in Bangkok, 1968. And through his sad remembrance, you feel what the world lost too.

I found this book to be a rare glimpse of Thomas Merton and how he valued his friendhips and shared his spiritual insights. His long time friendship with Robert Lax appeared to be two like minds sharing the same thoughts while in this book it was a kind of student mentor relationship which I enjoyed very much. Anyone who values Merton's writings would love to have this book in thier Merton collection.

I want to thank Ron Seitz for sharing his friendship and conversations with us
that he had as one of Thomas Merton's close friends in the 1960's.
Seitz was also a poet and of particular interest are the poems he and Merton shared together
as well as their discussions on the roles of a poet.
Ron Seitz's poetry is particularly enjoyable.

An everyday and sometimes silly side of life was shared in this book as well as many spiritual insights.
Of particular interest and value spiritually are the accounts of dreams Ron had after Thomas' death.
I have read many books about Thomas Merton as well as his poetry and scholarly writings
and this book is truly unique in its contents.
I recommend this book as an essential read for all of Thomas Merton's friends.
I look forward to Ron Seitz writing another book in the near future.
Thank you Ron for sharing your friend with the rest of us.

Claudia Hill Duffee, MA
Masters in Spirituality Program
Bellarmine University / Louisville Presbyterian Seminary