The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1956, Blaðsíða 15

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
13
IN THE EDITOR’S CONFIDENCE
The policy of this magazine has
been not to publish obituaries. One
of its primary functions is to record
the achievements of people of Iceland-
ic blood who have made a notable
contribution to the record of the Ice-
landic group in this land or to the
building of the nations here or to
both. At times this record has been
under headings such as “Merit Re-
warded”; at times under the name of
the person concerned. That record
surely must not be limited to people
living at the time of writing; it could
appear with equal propriety shortly
after the death of the person whose
achievements merit recognition in
permanent form. It would be equally
appropriate if the writer went back
many years to men and women, long
gone, who paved the arduous way that
others might follow.
This triple type of record is one of
the methods of transmitting material
to the English language reader which
he will draw upon as he seeks to view
in proper perspective the people from
that isle in the far North Atlantic and
the cultural heritage they brought with
■them. In the Autumn issue articles will
appear on Dr. Sigurdur Julius
Johannesson and Thorsteinn Th.
Thorsteinsson. —W. J. L.
FAREWELL TO A FRIEND
The doctor’s had his final call—he answered it the same
As he has answered every call; no matter whence it came.
He left behind his stethoscope, for there he’ll find no pain,
But the little angel children will read Solskin once again.
There’s been a grand reunion beyond the fleecy skies
When Sigurdur embarked upon his trip to Paradise.
The HagyrSingafelag will be going as of old;
He’ll write the poems and stories that on earth he left untold.
There’ll be Stefan G. and Matthias and Egill and the rest
And maybe they’ll be joined by Jimmy Riley, Eddie Guest.
For the barrier of language will mean nothing to them then
In the universal brotherhood of men who’ve used the pen.
Though we who loved him here below may drop a wayward tear,
There’ll be added joy in Heaven now that Sigurdur is there.
He’d seen so many go before; he’d stood so staunchly by,
That we almost had a notion that the doctor couldn’t die.
But we know that death is master both of science and of art.
He’s done his duty nobly; he has acted out his part.
We know that, he was weary and we know ,he wanted rest;
We know that what has come to pass has happened for the best.
But the memories we cherish will not waver or grow dim
And we’ll try our level best to be a little bit like him. —Art Reykdal