Josh
calling the peregrine home
(written by Veronika Bond, 3rd February 2026) Gentle is your nature kindness a way of being drama a secret power giving your infinite gift I see your noble essence you grope for clarity grapple with human trouble uplifted in poetry Truth is your native language play a way of doing unknowing the soul’s path dance lives in your feet I read your creative mind you think in scanning and rhyming weep for children in war deplore destiny’s timing Music is your yearning silence a way of speaking freedom a thorn in the flesh love your sacred source.
What you own deep in your heart,
you cannot loose, not even through death.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Gœthe ~
Dear Substack friends,
Kimberly Warner , Simone Senisin , Jonathan Foster , Susie Mawhinney , Jamie Millard , Deborah Gregory , Philip Harris , <Mary L. Tabor> , Jo Sundberg , Sadhbh Adamea , Lani V. Cox , Kameron Primm , Chloe Hope , Ash Buchanan , Alisa Kennedy Jones , E.T. Allen , Joe Shirley , Shelly L Francis , Robin Payes , Bertus , April Payne , Rachel Parkinson , Elliot Murray , Katerina Nedelcu , Ollie , Geraldine A. V. Hughes , Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne and so many others — you may have noticed, and wondered about my/our silence on substack over the past few months.
On the 23rd of November 2025, Joshua Bond , my beloved companion, favourite poet, man of many creative skills and simply the kindest, most generous and lovely human being with whom I was blessed to share my life and home for the past 28+ years, unexpectedly fell into a mysterious illness, demanding my full attention, time and care. On the 31st of January at 5:15 hrs, Josh exhaled his final breath peacefully in my arms…
… to become starbound.
The weeks following Josh’s death have passed in a daze, swept up and carried in a tender wave of love by our amazing community of friends, neighbours, and family members visiting from far away places.
Standing on the threshold to a new life, I don’t yet know who I am without him, haven’t yet figured out how to live, in communication with him across the veil.
What I do know, is that I intend to be back soon to continue my work here on substack and look forward to connecting again with you all. 💗 ✨
My heart is heavy with sadness for you dear Veronika and I write this with tears in my eyes.
I knew already, of course, the way one knows of a darkness that cannot be stopped - I didn’t want it to be true, I prayed and sent you my thoughts - they have been often and always with so much love and hope.
Thank you for your beautiful poem, I see Josh in every word and will remember with joy you and him, our evening together, looking over the great sprawling Atlantic Ocean, our conversations and the kindness of your journeying so far to do so. A treasured blessing of kindred souls I will keep safely in my heart for always.
You have a thousand times more memories dear one and Josh will always be beside you, guiding, kind, and loved.
With love and deepest sympathy 💔🕊️😘✨🌳🐾
😭Oh Veronika. What can I say? My heart goes out to you. What a wonderful man. I only knew him through his words, but I could touch his gentle nature. His creativity. His kindness. A soul poet. This community here that only knows each other in words, somehow touches something beyond the words. I honour you both in blessings and prayers. In what we call faith. In being. Beyond. Big big big hugs to you. 🫂❤️