It is with a heavy heart that I update this post.

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Holding My Friend to a Promise (originally posted 12/9/24)

For over thirty years my friend Robert Milby has been reading his poetry throughout the Hudson Valley, NYC, Long Island, NJ, PA, and New England. An engaging speaker, Robert has made 1,500 public appearances and has done hundreds of readings, open mics, lectures, presentations, participated in radio commentary and festivals, and has been spotlighted on independent tv shows. Robert has shared his enthusiasm and poetic talents through reading and writing workshops in schools and culture centers and has been a guest poet at higher educational institutions. 

Robert’s numerous works have been included in magazines and anthologies. Add to his stellar resume and his four poetry books, his chapbook, Gothic, Orange was published through the County Historian’s office in 2018. He has been a Kirkus Reviewer, a “Best Poet” winner and a longtime Woodstock Poetry Society member. In 2017, Robert was honored with the title, Poet Laureate of Orange County, NY. His relentless devotion to poetry has never ceased. Until now.

Robert is battling stage IV pancreatic cancer. As a freelance writer, he has been unable to work for the past nine months. I understand this is a difficult time of year to ask for donations, but any amount you’re able to make will help Robert pay for his mounting medical expenses. (Go Fund Me link)

I would have given up reading my work in public, if not for Robert. His dedication and encouragement inspired me to share my own work beyond the written page. A deep-reader and researcher, Robert promised me that he’d share his voluminous knowledge of UFOs over coffee one day. I am holding him to that promise.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. (Go Fund Me link)

6 thoughts on “It is with a heavy heart that I update this post.”

  2. I was very good friends with Robert back in the 90s (especially mid 90s). We went to the same two year college. While I went on to get a four year degree Robert opted to continue his poetry full time instead and his hard work paid off in spades. He attended readings, wrote profusely and at some point (although I’m not sure exactly when) began to teach poetry. We both read poetry at the same cafe and since I was busy with classes I wasn’t nearly as involved with poetry (reading and writing) as he was. At some point we drifted a part a bit as friends sometimes do but that could have been at least partly because of his busy schedule. After graduating I stuck around New Paltz for quite a while but then I moved from N.Y. to P.A. in 1998 and unfortunately lost touch with Bob. I brielfy was in touch with him via email not too long before Covid started but then promptly lost touch with him again. That was the last time I had any communication with him. Despite the distance of time and space I will always have very fond memories of him and I do believe in all sincerity that when it comes to poetry no one was more passionate than him and as such it is my opinion that he was and is one of the all time greats. RIP Bob.

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