My wife and I spent the weekend in a city. It doesn’t matter which one. We’re from a small town, so every city to me feels pre-apocalyptic, like someone pulled the thread that started civilization’s unraveling. That made me think of “Ribbons”, a poem which will be in my next book, A Song of Glass:ContinueContinue reading “Ribbons”
Category Archives: A Song of Glass: Dreams, Stories, and Poems
Sommelier
Last week I wasn’t able to post a poem because of a technical glitch happening (so I thought) with my blogging platform. It turns out the problem was with my word-processing app. Anyway, AI helped me troubleshoot and find a solution, so I am posting the sonnet I intended to post last week, “Sommelier.” ThisContinueContinue reading “Sommelier”
this world
This past week, I started getting my next book ready for self-publication. A Song of Glass: Dreams, Stories, and Poems will debut in late August or early September. As I’ve mentioned before, this book will be a little different since it includes a couple short-stories and poems where I experiment with language or with poetryContinueContinue reading “this world”
Flag
Primaries are coming up where I live so I have elections on my mind. One thing that always interests me is the campaign signs, banners, or flags that are still up after final elections in November–especially if the candidate lost the election. I wonder if they were forgotten or left up on purpose: now signsContinueContinue reading “Flag”
Light Conversation
This past week, my wife and I took a road trip to see the redwoods and to celebrate 27 years of marriage. It was a fantastic trip, full of gifts: we enjoyed each other, fresh seafood in coastal towns, and stunning ocean views. We saw redwoods in a couple locations; each was like stepping intoContinueContinue reading “Light Conversation”
Silent Film
The writing process is a source of mystery. I’m constantly surprised by how inspiration comes, how ideas develop, and by the interplay of various elements: intuition, reason, structure, prayer, and serendipity. After years of trying my hand at creative pursuits, I feel more participant than master. To be sure, learning craft and improving skills areContinueContinue reading “Silent Film”
Tablet
“Moses Breaks the Tablets of the Law” by Gustav Dore Today is Pentecost Sunday, when Christians remember the giving of the Holy Spirit. “Pentecost” means “Fifty,” and occurs 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead. On Pentecost, the fullness of the Spirit was poured out on Jesus to signify His anointing as King ofContinueContinue reading “Tablet”
Warmth
When I began reading scripture (many years ago now), I was surprised to find real people in every book of the Bible. I think I expected stodgy folks who were (mostly) perfect and had an answer for everything (or at least pretended they did). Instead, I found self-doubters, whiners, and weaklings; people soaring to giddyContinueContinue reading “Warmth”
Every Dogma Has Its Day
As you’ll see, today’s poem started with a gut feeling (no pun intended). From there, I let myself free-associate, which led to synthesizing dog-related idioms into a new thought. Free associating is an approach to writing I’ve been trying lately. It’s just one tool and doesn’t always lead to a finished poem. But when itContinueContinue reading “Every Dogma Has Its Day”
Flower
One thing I appreciate about writing is that it gives me an imaginative space to explore and process emotions—all kinds of emotions. In this space, I try to encounter what I’m experiencing non-judgmentally. Emotions aren’t always neat, tidy, or pretty. Art aims to re-present experience in a way that is honest but crafted and beautiful.ContinueContinue reading “Flower”
A Wandering Minstrel 