Last month, I posted about a poetic form pantoum. As an example of the form, I linked to a poem by A.E. Stallings called, “Another Lullaby for Insomniacs”. I so enjoyed Stallings’s pantoum, I got her book Like, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. One thing I appreciate about Stallings’s work is theContinueContinue reading “Dyeing the Easter Eggs”
Category Archives: Modern poetry
Song a Some’n Else
Walt Whitman is a celebrated American poet. His collection Leaves of Grass influenced generations of poets. While I can’t deny Whitman’s impact on American poetry, I’ve never been a fan. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the old saying goes. “Song of Myself” is an infamous poem from Leaves of Grass. The titleContinueContinue reading “Song a Some’n Else”
Rain
I grew up near Seattle. Given its proximity to Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, it rains non-stop in that area. Because of this, I regard rain as a dreary annoyance. (Did I mention I don’t like it? 😆). Since it’s rained a lot the last few days, I have rain on the brain. SoContinueContinue reading “Rain”
Psalm 41
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 theContinueContinue reading “Psalm 41”
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 waysContinueContinue reading “What the Seven Thunders Said”
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 birdsContinueContinue 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 theContinueContinue 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 soContinueContinue 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 lastContinueContinue 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 sacredContinueContinue reading “Voiceless Choirs—Now Available”
A Wandering Minstrel 