mrteague

Maple Seed

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a man who scattered seed (Matt. 13:3-9). It is a marvelous parable showing that things of God are tossed out there with no guarantee that anything will take root. But the one who sows seed in the parable does it in hope that some things will spring upContinueContinue reading “Maple Seed”

Empty Hands

Well, this post could be entitled “Empty Head” because I forgot to post this morning as usual 😆 I am also posting from my phone as our power is out (wifi is down!) Oh well. Below is a selection from my newest book, The Anonymity of Waiting. It is a meditation on change and lossContinueContinue reading “Empty Hands”

Self-Portrait

Many painters have done self-portraits. The one that immediately comes to mind is “Self portrait with Bandaged Ear” by Van Gogh. I’m not sure if any poets have written self-portraits or cut off any body parts. None come to mind 🤔, but share in the chat if you’ve heard of any. While working on TheContinueContinue reading “Self-Portrait”

The Muses Are on Strike

Writer’s block or creative lulls (whatever you want to call them) are often a source of inspiration for me. I’m actually compiling a chapbook containing all my writer’s block poems. I’m a third of the way there. Just a few weeks ago the creative juices were frozen (it is winter, after all), and it poppedContinueContinue reading “The Muses Are on Strike”

The Spirit Wounds

Philip Larkin is a poet I’ve liked for many years. About four years ago, I read Larkin’s Complete Works. Among his many free verse poems are formal poems, some of which used forms I hadn’t seen before. I’m not sure if these were forms Larkin invented or are just lesser used. A couple of themContinueContinue reading “The Spirit Wounds”

A Crown for Abba Moses

Often, one thing leads to another. I was reading the draft of a friend’s book, which contained a quote by 4th century monk, Abba Moses: “‘Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.” I was really struck by this quote, so I looked on Amazon to see if I could findContinueContinue reading “A Crown for Abba Moses”

Underground

Today’s poem, “Underground”, is from my latest book, The Anonymity of Waiting. I wasn’t sure what I thought of this poem when I finished it or if I accomplished what I originally intended. However (odd as it may sound), it has grown on me and become a favorite. Sometimes you just need to give yourContinueContinue reading “Underground”

Rain Dance

This week’s poem, “Rain Dance,” is a little different for me. Of all my poems, it is one of the very few that is self-consciously rhythmic. It also employs a fair amount of onomatopoeia: words whose sound mimics their meaning (like the way “buzz” buzzes when you say it). Besides employing the devices of rhythmContinueContinue reading “Rain Dance”

The Heretic

In my last two posts, I shared poems from my first and second books, so I thought I’d keep going and share a poem from my third book, Shadow and Memory. Today’s poem is called “The Heretic,” and I’ve been thinking about it because I’m reading Early Christian Doctrines by JND Kelly. If you’re interestedContinueContinue reading “The Heretic”

The Verge

Since I posted a poem from my first book last week, I thought I’d post something from my second book (Event Horizon) this week. “The Verge” is a poem I’ve always liked. The ending surprised even me. I remember being outside one winter, trying to articulate the sensation of standing in the quiet of fallingContinueContinue reading “The Verge”