Back in May, my poem, “The Vineyard,” was published in Heart of Flesh Literary Journal. Through Heart of Flesh’s editor, Veronica McDonald, I learned about chapbooks. A chapbook is a short book of poems (usually 20-40). Often, the poems touch a single theme. In the next few months, I plan to self-publish a chapbook calledContinueContinue reading “The State of Mercury”
Category Archives: Modern poetry
The Devil’s Thesaurus
When Samuel Faulk said something about haiku at the Bible study we attended, I thought, “This guy either writes or reads poetry.” I asked him about it later, and he admitted to reading AND writing poetry. We got together to talk poetry, and he told me about a book he’d been working on for awhileContinueContinue reading “The Devil’s Thesaurus”
Summer’s End
It’s that time of year when it’s cool in the morning and warm during the day. I’d dress in layers but I run cold so I end up keeping my layers on 😉 The impending change of seasons reminded me of a poem in my second book, Event Horizon, called “Summer’s End.” It seemed aproposContinueContinue reading “Summer’s End”
Mr. Andolini
This past week was the first week of school for my kids, so I thought I’d post a poem I wrote about a high school memory: “Mr. Andolini.” I often wonder why certain things stick with us. I wrote “Mr. Andolini” about 15 years after the events occurred. All those years later, the memory stillContinueContinue reading “Mr. Andolini”
The Root’s Lament
Reverse poetry is a form that can be read from top to bottom and from bottom to top. Usually, when the poem is read from bottom to top, it reverses the top to bottom meaning. I first became acquainted with reverse poetry a couple years ago. My wife shared one with me called “Pretty Ugly.”ContinueContinue reading “The Root’s Lament”
Poetry’s Bouquet
Often I have to remind myself there are many kinds of poets. When a poem dazzles me, it’s easy to throw shade on my own work, to feel drab next to their shine. Dylan Thomas is one of my favorite poets, if not my absolute favorite. That said, I doubt I’ve understood two of hisContinueContinue reading “Poetry’s Bouquet”
Metaphor
Metaphor, similes, imagery…these are the blood and guts of poetry. When discussing metaphor for the first time in school (third grade?), the teacher’s example was, “The room was an oven.” I remember feeling something like, “Wow! A lot more interesting than saying, ‘The room was really hot.’” Even at that age, there was a littleContinueContinue reading “Metaphor”
Lights Out
Like everything else, writing has its seasons. From what I gather, most writers try to write something every day. But sometimes there are lulls (we don’t call it writer’s block or even mention that 😉). But even lulls can be fruitful to the imagination. Below is poem I wrote about not having anything to writeContinueContinue reading “Lights Out”
As Summer Ages
Someone once said art is really about the observer, and that artists watch more than participate in life. (I believe Oscar Wilde said this but I’ve never been able to find the quote again!) Whoever said it, there’s some truth to it. To write, paint, make music, etc. requires that you step back to noticeContinueContinue reading “As Summer Ages”
These Are the Clouds
I’ve been reading through a book of poems by Yeats. So far, his work is marked by eclectic and contrasting elements. Many of his poems draw imagery from Irish mythology; the natural and supernatural worlds blur into something that is both yet not quite either. Other poems strike decidedly modern notes. This isn’t surprising sinceContinueContinue reading “These Are the Clouds”
A Wandering Minstrel 