mrteague

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”

The Snowflake and the Butter Dish

Today’s post is a little late. I’ve been sick and living with brain fog and low energy. Our wintry weather made me think of a poem in my new book, The Anonymity of Waiting. It’s called, “The Snowflake and the Butter Dish.” Many of my poems grow out of mundane moments. Life is intrinsically metaphoric.ContinueContinue reading “The Snowflake and the Butter Dish”

Planting the Ocean

I don’t always know what poems mean, even my own. That is one irony of imagery: it speaks to us in ways we can’t articulate. In a sense, imagery allows language to transcend itself, to say what can’t be said. My new book, The Anonymity of Waiting, has a number of poems like this, poemsContinueContinue reading “Planting the Ocean”

Farmland

The place I hang my hat is rural, known for hay. I’m from a much bigger city but I’ve never cared for urban life. The barns, fallen outbuildings, open fields, and other features of rural terrain have a calm nostalgia I’m drawn to. Going just outside our little town is like traveling through time orContinueContinue reading “Farmland”

The Anonymity of Waiting Now Available

My fourth full-length book of poetry, The Anonymity of Waiting, is now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book versions 😊 I hope folks will check it out and order one. Heck, order a few and give poetry for Christmas 😉🎅 The Anonymity of WaitingThe longer I wait in this pub,the more I become partContinueContinue reading “The Anonymity of Waiting Now Available”