In my new book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, I poetically interact with sacred texts, such as Psalms. There are 150 psalms, so I decided to write a poem based on one of every 10. From the fifth grouping, I chose Psalm 41. There is a spiritual battle in the subtext of theContinue reading "Psalm 41"
Conundrum
It’s been awhile—quite awhile—since I posted a haiku. As I’ve remarked before, I love haiku for their brief, impressionistic quality. “Conundrum” is a haiku that will be in my upcoming book, A Song of Glass. Incidentally, the title poem in A Song of Glass is also a haiku. Brief poems deserve brief introductions. So withoutContinue reading "Conundrum"
What the Seven Thunders Said
Art by Nina Paley / apocalypseanimated.com Revelation, the final book of the Bible, is a series of visions recorded by John (either John the Apostle or John the Elder, scholars don’t agree…but do they ever?). Nearly every image in these visions comes from the Old Testament. That said, the images are combined in surprising waysContinue reading "What the Seven Thunders Said"
The Pantoum
I’ve been learning about a new poetic form: the pantoum. This is a Malaysian form consisting of quatrains (four line sections or stanzas); the second and fourth lines in one stanza become the first and third lines of the following stanza. The first and third lines of the first stanza are then repeated as theContinue reading "The Pantoum"
Jays and Nuthatches
Officially, it’s been fall since September 22nd but with temps in the 70s and 80s, it hasn’t felt like it yet. Still, fall is hinting to summer that it’s time to go; leaves are already on the ground, and it was in the 40s when I got up yesterday. I’ve paid more attention to birdsContinue reading "Jays and Nuthatches"
Lifespan
Sometime in July, we realized a cricket had taken up residence in our outside stairwell. Every night (and sometimes during the day) he chirped away; that chirp became part of the family (or at least a weird neighbor), and my wife named him Jiminy (a nod to Disney’s Pinocchio, naturally). Given that Jiminy is theContinue reading "Lifespan"
This Is My Father’s World
Based on headlines, we might conclude this world belongs to chaos, harm, and despair. We do live in uncertain, though not unprecedented, times; uncertainty is a hallmark of human existence. But these words echo from another uncertain age: “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft soContinue reading "This Is My Father’s World"
Psalm 97
Last night, there was a lightning storm, plus some nearby wildfires, so it is fitting I chose “Psalm 97” as today’s poem. This poem poetically re-processes the original psalm, which presents God as Justice and King. ”Psalm 97” is part of my new collection, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, which I released lastContinue reading "Psalm 97"
Voiceless Choirs—Now Available
I am happy to announce that Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. This is my fifth full length book of poetry, and the first where all the poems are around a single theme—spirituality. Much of the verse in this collection poetically interacts with sacredContinue reading "Voiceless Choirs—Now Available"
Torches
As we speak, the last (I hope) proof copy of my new book is in the mail: Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. I am looking forward to this book. Completing it took more hard work than I can put into words, but it took even more grace. Many of the poems only survivedContinue reading "Torches"
A Wandering Minstrel 