For Pat Clark, in memoriam (May 18, 1935 - November 16, 2021), for the journey itself, and for all read the land as sacred text. Disjecta Membra Take a loose rein and a deep seat, John, my father-in-law, would say to someone starting out on a long journey, meaning, take it easy, relax, let what's [...]
A fantastical prose poem that moves between the comical and something of real import for our poet's antisocial narrator. May all our journeys be so transformative! Untitled [I sink back upon the ground, expecting to die] I sink back upon the ground, expecting to die. A voice speaks out of my ear, You are not [...]
Happy 15th Anniversary, Poem of the Month! This month's poem is offered in praise of poetry-lovers and poets, dreamers and creatives, you make the journey here worthy of our time, our energy, our love. In Praise of Dreams In my dreams I paint like Vermeer van Delft. I speak fluent Greek and not just with [...]
Poem of the Month is dedicated to Michael Stauder, in Memoriam: July 22, 1957 - August 28, 2021 For you, dear friend, poetry lover, backpacker, healer, flute player, conductor of light, trickster, joy-bringer...now clouds, sky, air, earth, memory. Your presence here has been a blessing. Gracias. Thank You If you find yourself half naked [...]
This month’s poem is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Annmarie Castelbaum. Aleha hashalom. Her body poured itself "into blossom" when she dropped her fleshy costume on July 13, 2021 at the age of 90. She loved this poem and never tired of reading it after I first shared it with her in 2009. [...]
I love this poem - its rich language and mood, words curving softly through the ephemeral, timeless landscape of memory, how it gives me pause to reflect on my own long-ago summer nights. Summer Night, Riverside In the wild soft summer darkness How many and many a night we two together Sat in the park and watched the [...]
To which inner and/or outer authorities is it high time to say: "non, merci!" Ok then! Welcome to Dunceville, friend! Glad you're here! The Dunce He says no with his head but he says yes with his heart he says yes to what he loves he says no to the teacher he stands he is [...]
Resting in groups, wrapping ourselves in seaweed, we resemble a raft, staying close while the sea rocks us to sleep. That's why you call us a "raft of otters." Makes you wish you were one of us, right? The Otters and the Seaweed This is what you need to know: you need to know that [...]
Two poems offered in celebration of National Poetry Month and Earth Day. May you find splendid ways to honor the creative spirit and our beautiful mother, Gaia. Choices I go to the mountain side of the house to cut saplings, and clear a view to snow on the mountain. But when I look up, saw [...]
Eons ago in Ireland I met a man who gave me a book of poetry, inscribed and gifted to him by the poet. How he could part with it? He said with a musical lilt: Easy come, easy go. That memory, and this poem, comforts me. May you, too, find solace in this truth. ADIOS [...]