mrteague

Thankless

This might sound funny, but after becoming a Christian, one of the little things I appreciated was having someone to thank. I remember getting a chili dog at 7-11 one night, biting into it, and so enjoying the cheap, convenience store vibe of the dish that I spontaneously said, “Thank you, Lord!” As I saidContinueContinue reading “Thankless”

Psalm 1

Back in April, I mentioned I was working on a series of poems inspired by Mozart’s Requiem. My plan was not merely to rehash the Requiem’s text in a modern style but to interact with the text poetically. I hoped to write poems that reimagined the text through my personal lens while (hopefully) honoring theContinueContinue reading “Psalm 1”

Sleep

There are a fair number of things we do every day that we think little of. But when I step back and consider mundane things as if I were an outsider, I find life is full of strangeness. Now and then, I’ll look at one of my cats and say to my wife, “Isn’t itContinueContinue reading “Sleep”

Elegy in a Firelit Room

Nearly 20 years ago, I fell in love with a poem by Franz Wright called, “On the Death of a Cat.” I’ve shared it more than once with friends who have lost pets because of its affectionate vulnerability. Last fall, while meandering about the Poetry Foundation’s website, I became intrigued by a poet named JamesContinueContinue reading “Elegy in a Firelit Room”

Working Out

There’s always a point in the work out videos I use when the leader asks, “Aren’t you glad you worked out today?” or “Doesn’t this feel good?” Mentally, I answer “NO” every time. I’ve never been one of those people who enjoys exercise. It’s more of a necessary evil. I suspect I’m not alone inContinueContinue reading “Working Out”

Blank

Since I was traveling this past week, I am posting a day later than usual! When I returned home yesterday, the first paperback copies of my third book, Shadow and Memory were waiting. This got me thinking about today’s post. Most of the poems in Shadow and Memory were written in 2022, one of theContinueContinue reading “Blank”

Sparrows

My daughter Kate is a senior at Wilson Hill Academy, an online school she’s attended since ninth grade. Once a year, Wilson Hill students and families attend an in-person event called LINK where they have field day competitions, awards ceremonies, and graduation. This week, we’ll be traveling to Colorado to attend LINK and my daughter’sContinueContinue reading “Sparrows”

Shadow and Memory Now Available!

I’m pleased to say that my third book, Shadow and Memory, is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. This book represents an interesting juncture for me. As I explain in the book’s introduction, I’ve been in a season of leaving what is comfortable for me as writer: trying new poetic forms andContinueContinue reading “Shadow and Memory Now Available!”

Undead

I’ve mentioned that odd thoughts stroll through my mind and into poems; or I get in a mood and write a quirky poem. Last weekend, as I was falling asleep, the first six or seven lines of the poem below jogged past. Then I couldn’t fall asleep (cue a sigh and throwing up my hands).ContinueContinue reading “Undead”

The Rhythm of Shadows

Today, I set up the Kindle version of my third book, Shadow and Memory. As I’ve mentioned, I’m hoping to self-publish it this month or next. A proof of the paperback will arrive this week so that I can make a last check for errors. I am in the home stretch! When putting together aContinueContinue reading “The Rhythm of Shadows”