Pierre Joris: July 14, 1946 – February, 26 2024
My husband, my collaborator, the soulful father, stepfather & brother, —our poet– left our material world on Wednesday, February 26.
He passed very peacefully at our home in Brooklyn, Bay Ridge—just as he wished—held by the ones he loved and who loved him so deeply. Pierre was born in Strasbourg on July 14, 1946. Though a Luxembourgish citizen, Pierre was born in Strasbourg, where his parents were living while his father completed his medical studies.
Almost a month has passed, but the absence is still vast & unfathomable. Our lives were so deeply entwined. I’m not expecting to feel better any time soon, but I will ride the wave of grief as it comes.
On February 28, we held his earthing ceremony at Green-Wood Cemetery. With less than 24 hours’ notice, we were so moved to see a group of at least 70—several generations of friends from now & then, many poets—waiting for us at the gates of Green-Wood, gathered on a sunny, crisp morning to accompany him to the resting place he had chosen. Charles Bernstein, Tracy Grinnell, Randall Horton, Yasmine Seale, Joseph Mastantuono, Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, & I read poems. Marty Ehrlich closed our ceremony with a soulful rendition of Monk’s Mood. In the afternoon, more joined us at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook—a place he loved—to raise a glass in his honor.
I met Pierre in California, at the home of the wonderful German writer Reinhard Lettau. I was 29. Recently divorced, raising my 7-year-old son, Joseph. I always wanted a life without boundaries between art and domesticity. That’s how our Domopoetics came to be. We had amazing role models—primarily Diane & Jerry Rothenberg, and also, very present at that time, Eleanor & David Antin.
When Pierre was offered a position at SUNY Albany, we moved to New York State. That’s where Miles was born—into the Domopoetic nest the three of us had started to build.
Pierre was—and will always be—an integral part of my becoming. I was fortunate to share 35 years with him. Such deep communion is the gift that lives within this deep grief. He was a loving soul dedicated to his family & to his craft beyond measure.
Our Domopoetics was part of our daily life, it also took shape through performances, presentations, talks, translations, cooking (watch our cooking videos during covid here) , & giving poetry readings. The most expansive iterations were presented at Galerie Simoncini (Luxembourg) in 2017 and 2021. Each time, we were given carte blanche and all three floors of the gallery to create site-specific installations and to present new work and performances developed especially for the space.
Traveling together was a frequent part of our shared life & work. I prepared & ran the visual components for Pierre’s presentations—on Paul Celan, whose complete oeuvre he translated into English, & on Poems for the Millennium, the anthology series he co-edited: two volumes with Jerome Rothenberg & one with Habib Tengour. These events took place at some of the most prestigious universities & cultural institutions. I listened to these talks countless times, yet I learned something new at every single one. I also illustrate &/or made the cover many of many of his books.
Pierre’s thinking was brilliant & far-reaching—rooted in serious, rigorous scholarship, yet always infused with wit & sharp insight. His restless, searching spirit was—and will always be—my guide, my grounding force. Not a memory, but a presence. & from the many messages I’ve received, I know he inspired & continues to enlighten many others.
Before he passed, Pierre had completed two books that will be published as follow:
Fall 2025: Poasis II: Selected Poems 2000–2024 (Wesleyan University Press, 2026)
Early 2026: In Between Keep Moving: A Pierre Joris Reader — edited by Ariel Resnikoff & Pierre Joris (Contra Mundum Press, 2026)
Many gatherings, readings, conferences, & celebrations of Pierre’s life & work are in the process of being scheduled. I’ll continue to share updates through his social media & ours as this unfolding continues.
Our family is profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love & sympathy we’ve received. So many of you have shared stories, memories, & reflections—each one a thread in the vast fabric of connection that Pierre wove throughout his life. He would have been astonished. Truly—he never believed he made such an impact. But oh, how deeply he did!
We are determined to carry his œuvre forward, to make it known & let it bloom across generations & countries. Meanwhile read Pierre’s books and visit his webpage !
to be continued…..
Obit in the NYTimes
What an incredible journey, creative, beautiful and brilliant adventure your lives together. Thank you so much for sharing them through the years in so many ways. I hear his voice that rich wonderful sound when seeing these images and am thankful for the memories that I will cherish. Looking forward to reading and seeing what’s to come. See you on the flip side Pierre.
Love to you always Nicole. Love to your wonderful family.
Thank you dear Annine. Sending love to you and your loved one.
Hello Nicole, I just came across your post and learned of the sad news of Pierre’s passing last February 26. Our deepest sympathies to you and your son Miles, Nicole ..we can only imagine the emptiness you have expressed, knowing what a beautiful and creative couple you and Pierre were. We have shared fond memories together at UCSD a long while ago but your energy and friendship remain in our memories. Keep in touch and let us know when you’re in Paris. Hugs, Mary Ann & Frank Pecquet
Thank you Mary Ann & Frank we sure had good times in San Diego.
Yes! it was when we got together.
Much love
A beautiful account your lives together — may his memory continue to be a blessing.
Thank you Mary Ann & Frank we sure had good times in San Diego.
Yes! it was when we got together.
Much love
Such a beautiful, stunning, and gracious, grace-filled tribute to your dear husband, collaborator, companion.
My dear Nicole. There is no distance. Look:
I sit with you quietly as you move through this heavy time.
You are embraced.
Dear Nicole,
I was very moved by your marvelous words. I remember very vividly the wonderful dinner with you and Pierre and the Rothenbergs and your cousin (Charles?) in Brooklyn one marvelous evening. I loved working with Pierre on his magisterial Celan books and iwll miss his dedication and commitment to his original aesthetics. It was an honor ot know him and you. With deep regret, jonathan Galassi
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you so much for your kind words. He too loved working with you, such a great, positive experience.
That evening in Bayridge with the Rothenbergs —& yes! it was my cousin Charles Dantzig, was really lovely, I remember all of us around the table.
I also remember so vividly the day Pierre decided to sent you an email to ask you if you were interested in publishing his Celan’s translations. He had gotten and automatic reply that you were out of the office, but 5 minutes later you reply saying YES!
He ran into my room so excited, and relieved that his Celan’s work was finally going to be gathered into a great volume. And then there was the second one!
I know he was extremely grateful to your dedication and esteemed you greatly.
I hope our paths will cross again on day but meanwhile longue vie to this magnificent two volumes!
Merci encore
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you so much for your kind words. He too loved working with you, such a great, positive experience.
That evening in Bayridge with the Rothenbergs —& yes! it was my cousin Charles Dantzig, was really lovely, I remember all of us around the table.
I also remember so vividly the day Pierre decided to sent you an email to ask you if you were interested in publishing his Celan’s translations. He had gotten and automatic reply that you were out of the office, but 5 minutes later you reply saying YES!
He ran into my room so excited, and relieved that his Celan’s work was finally going to be gathered into a great volume. And then there was the second one!
I know he was extremely grateful to your dedication and esteemed you greatly.
I hope our paths will cross again on day but meanwhile longue vie to this magnificent two volumes!
Merci encore
In my eyes, Pierre was a model of humility, he paid great attention to those he met and was always available to help, give advice, accompany… without ever showing off his knowledge or culture. I am happy to have met him and Nicole, because in my mind they are inseparable, and the few exchanges, discussions on the translation that we had, his encouragement as well as his opinion, had, have and will always have great value. Je sais que tu seras forte et courageuse Nicole, toute mon amitié et je t’embrasse avec tendresse.
Merci chère Béatrice,
He sure appreciated you and your dedication on translating contemporary native American poets very much.
A bientôt j’espère et merci de tout coeur