Losing Artfully

In these days of COVID-19 quarantine/isolation/stay at home orders around my community, my state, my country — and in all likelihood in yours, it surely feels as though we’ve lost more than we can bear. So many lost school days. So many lost dollars. So many lost jobs. So many lost loved ones. The losses … Continue reading →

The Art of Poetry

I doubt sincerely that I let a single reader down by failing to post a poem over the past few days. Much as I hate to acknowledge it, the plain truth of the matter is this: While poetry is, in fact, for everyone, it isn’t for everyone. But today is the final day of April, … Continue reading →

Always Amazing

I didn’t at first know that Wendell Berry was a poet. I discovered him as a novelist, and delighted in Jayber Crow. I grew to love him during my reading of The Memory of Old Jack. Dear Heaven, you should read Berry, and let his words seep into your soul. Rich in character and community and a love for the … Continue reading →

Happy Birthday, Bard!!

In case you haven’t already heard, let me just say it here: today we celebrate William Shakespeare, who was probably born on or around this day, April 23, 455 years ago! Four and a half centuries!! Incidentally, he also died on April 23, in 1616. Curiously, we’re more certain of the day of his death … Continue reading →

Mercies

While scrolling through your social media feeds do you ever find a post whose writer simply says, “I’m just going to leave this here…” as some sort of indicator that what follows couldn’t be added to, couldn’t be any more clear, couldn’t be improved upon? Maybe it’s a photo, maybe it’s a pithy post from … Continue reading →

Maundy Thursday

Soft rain falls this morning after a pre-dawn thunderstorm clattered and flashed and woke us up. I can’t even say I minded very much. Thunderstorms are one of my very favorite things. I likely won’t walk the dog today – the forecast (like we can trust weather reports, I know!) says rain every hour. I … Continue reading →

Trees

I grew up on The Great Plains. Known for rolling fields of wheat, barley, oats, and even sunflowers. Plenty of beef cattle and some dairy. Not known, really, for trees. It’s windy up there on the high plains. Rocky soil. Dry air. Trees exist, for cryin’ out loud. But not in abundance. I live in … Continue reading →

It Will Cost You Something

You might say poetry is ‘free’ — after all, we can find it in all sorts of places without paying a single cent for it.  But poetry comes at a price. It costs the poet time, effort, thought. Finding the image, connecting the lines — giving the reader something that lasts. It’s a price the … Continue reading →

Friendly Competition

I was talking with a good friend recently, and the conversation veered into risky territory when he said, “I’m really enjoying writing.” Reasonable people would regard his statement as innocuous, right? Simply one friend sharing with another friend the intoxication of words used well. Now, since I ably masquerade as a ‘reasonable person’ from time … Continue reading →

Constant Change (Irony Noted)

Quitting. We’ve made it into such an ugly word, and really, the ‘throw the hands up in the air and hissing “I’m OUT!‘ version does raise the hackles. No one ever liked the kid who actually did gather up all his marbles to go home. It’s hard to cheer for the horse who balks at … Continue reading →