This week, I watched a video about understanding poetry (yes, poets need help with that too š). The example poem was āAs Kingfishers Catch Fireā by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Hopkins has been a favorite of mine for a number of years, but I never chanced across this particular poem. There are so many things toContinue reading "As Kingfishers Catch Fire"
This Box of Old Things
Photo from YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado As I write this, I am in Estes Park, Colorado. My son does online school through Wilson Hill Academy. My daughter also attended Wilson Hill. Over the years, we have enjoyed the Christ-centered focus, the loving culture, and the depth of education Wilson Hill offers. EachContinue reading "This Box of Old Things"
Stare
In the late 19th century, the Symbolist poets began a movement against naturalism and realism in writing. The Symbolists preferred the power of imagination, dreams, visions, and the like. Iāve never subscribed to any school of poetry. As a writer, my interests are too diverse. I like traditional and experimental forms; Iām a fan ofContinue reading "Stare"
The Selfie of Dorian Gray
The Selfie of Dorian GrayWhen they found him, they couldnāt believe it.He was slumped to one side, clutching a tablet.His last selfie, posted the day before,showed a slim man with smooth, clear skin.The caption read, āLost 20 pounds and never felt better!āA string of atta boy-s followed in the comments.The man in front of themContinue reading "The Selfie of Dorian Gray"
Your Old Men Will Dream Dreams
We are incurable night owls in my family. Still, even we can stay up TOO late sometimes and suffer sleepiness the next day. Today is that day for me. When deciding what to post today, all I could think of was that I felt tired, which reminded me of a poem I wrote recently: āYourContinue reading "Your Old Men Will Dream Dreams"
PAWS 4
Itās been awhile since I posted a cat poem. And we know what happens if cats donāt feel appreciated (or at least we can imagineā¦). So, as an offering to their vanity, I give you PAWS 4, which appeared in my chapbook Cat Show and my newest book The Anonymity of Waiting. PAWS 4Sometimes,all youContinue reading "PAWS 4"
Grief Is
Grief is familiar to any of us who have been around for more than five minutes. But it is also one of the most complex things we experience. The many variables involved make it so: different causes, personalities, social norms, religious (or non-religious) beliefs, the time of day, and what you had for lunch canContinue reading "Grief Is"
Tuba Mirum (Wonderful Trumpet)
āChrist is risen!ā āHe is risen indeed!ā This exchange is traditionally heard between Christians of all stripes on Easter. Later this year, I plan to self-publish Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. This book will include a series of poems based on Mozartās Requiem Mass. Requiem masses are Catholic funeral services and include themesContinue reading "Tuba Mirum (Wonderful Trumpet)"
Death, be not proud
With Easter approaching, the Christian hope of resurrection is on my mind. This means poems about resurrection are also on my mind. John Donneās poem, āDeath, be not proudā is a favorite sonnet of mine in which he tells death, āYou aināt all that.ā After comparing death to sleep and other temporary forms of drowsiness,Continue reading "Death, be not proud"
The Wound
āThe Woundā is a poetic retrospective of coming to know God from my third book, Shadow and Memory. It will also be in an upcoming book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Voiceless Choirs is a collection of new and previously published poems that center on Christian spirituality. Right now, I am working withContinue reading "The Wound"
A Wandering Minstrel 