Dancing into the Unknown With Harry

Harry Kresky—poet, fisherman, attorney, independent political activist, and beloved friend and family to so many of us—has metastatic esophageal cancer. He has undergone neurosurgery to remove one of his tumors and will have radiation and chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Harry came home yesterday and is getting PT and OT at home and is working to regain his strength and full mobility.

For those who don’t know Harry’s background, he is one of the country’s foremost legal authorities on political reform and the concerns of independent voters, candidates, and parties. Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him to the 2002 New York City Charter Revision Commission. Harry has participated in lawsuits and legal initiatives to expand and defend open primaries and in support of independent candidates in multiple states. We are all grateful for Harry’s many contributions to making a better world. And his nearest and dearest love him for his decency and humanity.

We are facing many immediate challenges to make our home in rural upstate New York safe and fully functional for Harry as we head into winter. This includes a new driveway and ramp, changes to the bathrooms, etc. We also face unexpected medical bills for treatment and travel.

We are reaching out to our community of family and friends to help us overcome these initial financial hurdles.

The outpouring of support has been tremendous, and I want to share a poem Harry wrote just a few days after his surgery.

COMMUNITY

Our official leaders have failed so badly;

Embroiled us in an escalating war

And a failing economy.

They would have us choose

One of two self interested

political parties.

And yet are there are signs of hope,

Rays of sunshine.

Ordinary people stepping forward to help a neighbor,

To give love and support.

“Don't worry, I can walk your dog

while you get better."

“I'll Ask my kids to come and help you winterize your house.”

“We're not rich, but if you need help with medical bills, we’re here.”

Can we build a new world under and alongside the old one?

Are we doing it?

We'll walk together.

No questions asked.

No quid pro quo.