mrteague

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”

Godd O’ballD

Today’s poem goes way back to my first book, The Wind and the Shadows, which I self-published in 2020. It is a whimsically serious theological reflection. (If that confused you, wait until you read the poem 😆). Spirituality is not ultimately about a belief system (though that is part of it). God is a person;ContinueContinue reading “Godd O’ballD”

Last Night’s Rain

This week’s poem is “Last Night’s Rain” from my new book, The Anonymity of Waiting. As I read it today, I wonder what emotions it evokes in readers. If any brave souls would like to share in the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I am hoping to self-publish a fifth book inContinueContinue reading “Last Night’s Rain”

Pablo Neruda: Sonnet XVII

Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet who died in 1973. I became acquainted with his poetry through James Wright, who translated some of Neruda’s poems for his book, Collected Poems. Neruda’s surprising, sometimes surreal imagery resonated in my imagination so I picked up The Essential Neruda sometime last year. Reading Neruda was an experience. HisContinueContinue reading “Pablo Neruda: Sonnet XVII”

Cat’s Game

Today’s poem is a haiku that is in my new book, The Anonymity of Waiting, and in my chapbook, Cat Show. I’ve had haiku on my mind since I got two volumes of haiku for Christmas. Haiku is a form I’ve grown to love because of its use of sparse, evocative language. Reading more haikuContinueContinue reading “Cat’s Game”