One day, I had a serious thought. But for some reason, I processed this serious thought using playful variations of familiar phrases. Somehow, out of that mess, today’s poem was born. I’ve written poetry and music for about 35 years. But at the end of the day, the creative process is a mystery to me.ContinueContinue reading “Shock”
Category Archives: About me
Cat with a Mona Lisa Smile
Usually, I post Sunday morning but at 9:00 tonight I realized I forgot! Monday morning will have to do, I suppose. I was going to blame being tired because my cats woke me up at 5:30 this morning. Then I remembered I usually write my posts on Saturday and schedule them to post on Sunday.ContinueContinue reading “Cat with a Mona Lisa Smile”
Doing Nothing
I can be…driven, goal-oriented. I am usually working on something and have very little idle time. But today, I feel a little lazy. Granted, it’s the weekend, and by 2:15 Saturday afternoon (when I am writing this), I’ve already worked on a poem, attended two ministry-related meetings, and mowed both my lawns. So maybe I’mContinueContinue reading “Doing Nothing”
S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W
This past Friday, my daughter and I went to a concert: My Chemical Romance kicked off their reunion tour in Seattle. The Violent Femmes opened. MCR’s performance was pretty epic, full of theater, energy, flashing lights, and pyrotechnics. They played for about two and a half hours and never slowed down. Lyrics are a closeContinueContinue reading “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W”
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. I’ve never subscribed to any school of poetry. As a writer, my interests are too diverse. I like traditional and experimental forms; I’m a fan ofContinueContinue reading “Stare”
The Wound
“The Wound” 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 withContinueContinue reading “The Wound”
Empty Hands
Well, this post could be entitled “Empty Head” because I forgot to post this morning as usual 😆 I am also posting from my phone as our power is out (wifi is down!) Oh well. Below is a selection from my newest book, The Anonymity of Waiting. It is a meditation on change and lossContinueContinue reading “Empty Hands”
Self-Portrait
Many painters have done self-portraits. The one that immediately comes to mind is “Self portrait with Bandaged Ear” by Van Gogh. I’m not sure if any poets have written self-portraits or cut off any body parts. None come to mind 🤔, but share in the chat if you’ve heard of any. While working on TheContinueContinue reading “Self-Portrait”
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”
A Wandering Minstrel 