Djelloul Marbrook of Germantown, NY, poet, novelist, photographer, newspaper man, sailor and Arabist scholar, died November 23 at Northern Dutchess Hospital, Rhinebeck, NY, after a four-year struggle with leukemia.
Beautifully said! I never got to meet Djelloul face-to-face but I had the honor of seeing him read at AWP shortly after his book came out and have loved his work ever since. I am deeply grateful for his artistry and intelligence, yes, but even more so for his generosity of spirit and the fine example he set for fellow writers.
I’m so sorry to hear about Djelloul’s passing. Ten years ago when I first started publishing Vox Populi, he was a stalwart contributor, a favorite among our readers. He and I became pen pals, getting to know each other by talking about poetry and politics. His family history was fascinating, and I helped him publicize his mother’s paintings.
He was a unique voice, a passionate defender of beauty and truth. He will be missed.
I first met him by mail at the end of 2021, I was writing a book on his mother, and he answered all my questions with such humility, sincerity and this incredible kindness that caracterizes him. This lasted several monthes, each day sometimes. I wrote my questions in the morning from Paris and I got the answers in the evening here. We met once, in Beacon. 2 hours of an unforgettable meeting. He was funny and serious at the same time, loving and hating, hoping and resigned, aged and young... and I always wondered if these "double" and oppposite feelings had something to do with his double culture ?
Discreetly, unexpectedly he became one of the characters of my book...
I will always regret he could not see the result of our work.
I will miss him. i wish him a good journey in his new adventure and I hope the instant he left was exquisite, as he wrote once.
We could have met this day. Del told me you were supposed to drive him to Beacon. But he came alone. And, as I was standing in front of the museum entrance, I saw him coming, unmissable with his Jean-paul Gautier like sweater under his jacket and his Dia cap. What a souvenir. My kindest regards, Michel
I discovred him randomly...i didn't know that he has Algerian origins until i notice that his name is typiclly Algerian .i studied in the Town where his father was born and his entire family, half brothers, sisters ,nephews and nieces live...
I have an email thread with Del that began in October 2006 as I decided to finally do some research about his Aunt Irene’s work. A website had suddenly appeared after three months of my daily google searches about her. Del was gracious with timely replies and told me several stories about her, and his family. I missed meeting him in Woodstock, NY as I went to visit his mother’s gravesite and found that he had left a beautiful rose there just minutes beforehand. Then I went to find him at a bookstore in Woodstock but again I missed him by minutes as he was on his way back home. I dreamed of meeting him and imagined getting back to NY someday, but was a little intimidated as I am a creative but not an intellectual and well, how ridiculous is that, now that he’s gone. I absolutely treasure the emails I have printed out and stored in a binder along with my collection of all things Irene. And Juanita. So fortunate to have the stories. His voice calms me when needed. I hope Del’s work continues to post here, somehow. Sending much love to his family, friends and all. Grateful for you, Del. 💜 - Patti
How lovely, thank you very much. (He would have welcomed you approaching him, he was an incredible mentor.) I appreciate hearing these lovely tributes to my Father.
This comes as a shock to me. I'm a recent acquaintance, and I'm happy to know that he didn't pass my attention unacknowledged. I recognized in him an enviable character and masterful writer. I'm grateful for his presence in my mind over the past two years since first encounter.
Beautifully said! I never got to meet Djelloul face-to-face but I had the honor of seeing him read at AWP shortly after his book came out and have loved his work ever since. I am deeply grateful for his artistry and intelligence, yes, but even more so for his generosity of spirit and the fine example he set for fellow writers.
I’m so sorry to hear about Djelloul’s passing. Ten years ago when I first started publishing Vox Populi, he was a stalwart contributor, a favorite among our readers. He and I became pen pals, getting to know each other by talking about poetry and politics. His family history was fascinating, and I helped him publicize his mother’s paintings.
He was a unique voice, a passionate defender of beauty and truth. He will be missed.
What a sad news.
I first met him by mail at the end of 2021, I was writing a book on his mother, and he answered all my questions with such humility, sincerity and this incredible kindness that caracterizes him. This lasted several monthes, each day sometimes. I wrote my questions in the morning from Paris and I got the answers in the evening here. We met once, in Beacon. 2 hours of an unforgettable meeting. He was funny and serious at the same time, loving and hating, hoping and resigned, aged and young... and I always wondered if these "double" and oppposite feelings had something to do with his double culture ?
Discreetly, unexpectedly he became one of the characters of my book...
I will always regret he could not see the result of our work.
I will miss him. i wish him a good journey in his new adventure and I hope the instant he left was exquisite, as he wrote once.
All my sympathy to his family and friends.
Michel, I remember that day. Del spoke fondly of your meeting and had hoped to have you see Dia Beacon.
❤
Michel, I am his daughter and your post moved me greatly. I can picture my father as you describe him, thank you for this.
Thank you for these words..
We could have met this day. Del told me you were supposed to drive him to Beacon. But he came alone. And, as I was standing in front of the museum entrance, I saw him coming, unmissable with his Jean-paul Gautier like sweater under his jacket and his Dia cap. What a souvenir. My kindest regards, Michel
Thank you Kevin....DEl was a wonderful man, a wonderful poet, a struggling and a very unusual and wonderful man.
Thank you Kevin for sharing the life story of our dear friend, Del. He will be missed.
May he be eternally at peace with our creator.
And many blessings to you Bessie. We are fortunate to have had him in our lives.
Thank you for letting us know. I had been loving his writing on Substack. I'm happy to know of his books. I hope h's where he wanted to be.
I discovred him randomly...i didn't know that he has Algerian origins until i notice that his name is typiclly Algerian .i studied in the Town where his father was born and his entire family, half brothers, sisters ,nephews and nieces live...
What a beautiful discovery..
Greetings from Algeria...
I have an email thread with Del that began in October 2006 as I decided to finally do some research about his Aunt Irene’s work. A website had suddenly appeared after three months of my daily google searches about her. Del was gracious with timely replies and told me several stories about her, and his family. I missed meeting him in Woodstock, NY as I went to visit his mother’s gravesite and found that he had left a beautiful rose there just minutes beforehand. Then I went to find him at a bookstore in Woodstock but again I missed him by minutes as he was on his way back home. I dreamed of meeting him and imagined getting back to NY someday, but was a little intimidated as I am a creative but not an intellectual and well, how ridiculous is that, now that he’s gone. I absolutely treasure the emails I have printed out and stored in a binder along with my collection of all things Irene. And Juanita. So fortunate to have the stories. His voice calms me when needed. I hope Del’s work continues to post here, somehow. Sending much love to his family, friends and all. Grateful for you, Del. 💜 - Patti
How lovely, thank you very much. (He would have welcomed you approaching him, he was an incredible mentor.) I appreciate hearing these lovely tributes to my Father.
This comes as a shock to me. I'm a recent acquaintance, and I'm happy to know that he didn't pass my attention unacknowledged. I recognized in him an enviable character and masterful writer. I'm grateful for his presence in my mind over the past two years since first encounter.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute My Friend.