“rubbing smiles into the wounds”

A good many years ago, while visiting the National Cathedral in Washington DC I bought my first R.S. Thomas poetry book from the cathedral gift shop. Today I have many of his poetry collections on my book shelf. These books feel like good friends as I often have good conversation with the words on theirContinue reading ““rubbing smiles into the wounds””

Then what?

Roses, Late Summer- What happensto the leaves afterthey turn red and golden and fallaway? What happens to the singing birdswhen they can’t singany longer? What happensto their quick wings? Do you think there is anypersonal heavenfor any of us?Do you think anyone, the other side of that darkness,will call to us, meaning us?Beyond the treestheContinue reading “Then what?”

“I like your hat”

To introduce you to the poet, chidlren’s author and playwright Magi Gibson, I will use an excerpt from the back cover of her poetry book “I Like Your Hat” published in 2020 – Magi Gibson is a leading voice in Scottish poetry. She draws inferences from the little things in life (shopping for stationary, admiringContinue reading ““I like your hat””

“in the deep hearts core”

I have just returned from some time spent on the west coast of Ireland and the east coast of Scotland. It was wonderful to be amidst the sounds of wind and wave, and amidst the stretch and pull of hill and glen. The photo above shows the walk which we began at sea level andContinue reading ““in the deep hearts core””

Fire-followers

Today’s poem comes from The New Yorker Poetry podcast https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/poetry June 25 edition. The link will take you to a full appreciation and explanation of this amazing poem by Hala Alyon. Wikipedia writes the following – Hala Alyon born July 27, 1986 is a Palestinian-American writer, poet, and clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, addiction, andContinue reading “Fire-followers”

“Bring the bass back..!”

On a recent episode of the podcast The New Yorker Poetry Sasha Debevec-McKenney chose to read the following poem by Gabrielle Calvocoressi – obviously the poem cannot be edited so please excuse, ignore, or enjoy the expletive! Calvocoressi, who is a nonbinary lesbian, has used their writing to reflect on their mother’s mental illness andContinue reading ““Bring the bass back..!””

Inch, yard and foot – All Miracles!

MiraclesWhy, who makes much of a miracle?As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,Or stand under trees in the woods,Or talk by day withContinue reading “Inch, yard and foot – All Miracles!”