On occasion words come to “set my hair on fire.” It is one of my favorite metaphors to describe a life-changing experience. Poetry is a matter of words used to proper effect, to orient us as a compass needle to our position within the larger scheme of space and time. This poem by Cal…
I accompanied my granddaughter to a story telling event at the public library. The topic was the screech owl and raptors in general. The three story tellers were enthusiastic about their work rehabilitating injured raptors, returning the birds to the wild. I felt humbled in the presence of the birds which were gently removed…
[Sun-messenger] Lynn Xu Sun-messenger call Life to me slowly and all at once criss- crossing in that golden light Snail with your moving shroud Silver tree with your thousand roadways O dream hurry go past me This poem speaks to me and I cannot describe why. These are the shortest days, less…
Journey of the Magi T. S. Eliot ‘A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’ And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There…
Midweek. A few days remain until Christmas. The to-do list is short. To live is to act, to do. It is good to have a list, the illusion of control. I believe there is no control, that all is at “the mercy” of the state of things that immediately preceded this moment. Still there…
Solstice in Truro Joshua Weiner Teaching term done, I keep my laptop shut A chill in the air runs under weak June sun Chickadee warbler catbird waxwing— Morning migrant songs drowned by bulldozer next door The backing up beeping a constant one note feed From far off, boundless tides crest onto restless sand How…
Musing about possible topics for this post. When I read this poem by Lori Levy, it seemed this was more than enough to pass on. The lines are a reminder that ordinary life is a smorgasbord of delightful details. Often what I lack, is sufficient inner calm to notice the play of everything going…
look at the world I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black face— And this is what I see: This fenced-off narrow space Assigned to me. I look then at the silly walls Through dark eyes in a dark face— And this is what I know: That all these walls oppression…
[There is no Life or Death,] by Mina Loy There is no Life or Death, Only activity And in the absolute Is no declivity. There is no Love or Lust Only propensity Who would possess Is a nonentity. There is no First or Last Only equality And who would rule Joins the majority. There…
Children of Darkness By Robert Graves “In their generation wiser than the children of Light.” We spurred our parents to the kiss, Though doubtfully they shrank from this— Day had no courage to review What lusty dark alone might do— Then were we joined from their caress In heat of midnight, one from two….
