ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART

Blue Heart, Houma LA 1989 from the monograph The Reposed LSU Press

Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Born and raised in New Orleans, it was reported* yesterday that Sylvester Major Jr. died of a heart attack. Mr. Major is not considered a victim or statistic of hurricane Katrina , but family and friends all say that he died of a broken heart. After surviving the flood waters in his home , days afterwards at the Superdome shelter and then evacuation to another city , Mr. Major it seems had endured enough. Major’s brother, Ellis, was quoted as saying, “Being away from most things we love, the people we’re use to…it had to take a toll on him”. “He just didn’t have the will to go on. He lost his spark”.

I have wondered and worried about all the other Sylvester Majors out there, who are still alive but live with broken hearts?

*The Advocate, “Families blame Katrina for Deaths” by Michelle Roberts 12/14/06