This poem was written by Oscar Romero, training and supervising analyst at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, as a tribute to comrade and fellow analyst, Robert Prosser. Bob was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and mountaineer, and we lost him in a tragic climbing accident on January 13, 2013. He was passionate about his work in both adult and child analysis, and he is deeply missed.
The poem embodies the warm embrace in which our institute holds our memories of Bob and our profound sadness at losing him. The title of the poem, He said, “I guess I did,” is a reference to Bob's humble response when a colleague congratulated him on receiving credit for a child psychoanalytic case just a few days prior to his death. We feel grateful to have had Bob Prosser as part of our lives and our institute, and mourn his loss.
He said, “I guess I did”To Bob ProsserIn MemoriamHe drank the nectar of the godson the rocksIcy roads melted under his warm footNot this timeNature,Hear my protestWhy so cruel with one of your best children?BobYes, you didThanks for staying with usWith your shy smile,For playing with us in our internal worlds…ForeverGracias, BobThank you, friend
Sheri Butler Hunt, M.D., is an adult training and consulting analyst and a child supervising analyst in the child division at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. A published poet and member of TAP's editorial board, she welcomes readers’ comments, suggestions, and poetry submissions at .