Category Archives: Poetry

“The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry

Thanks to Mary Jane F. When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down … Continue reading

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She Has Many Faces

By Josephine Ingram (from her book Poet’s Harvest) There are many guises that bravery can wear: One spray of blossom on the stunted tree Or a little slum girl with a flower in her hair— The heart responds to courage … Continue reading

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ChatGPT4 wrote this sonnet for me

Ed note: Just for fun I asked the AI program to write a Shakespearean style sonnet about an iPhone. Here’s the result. Yikes! O iPhone, thou art a wondrous device, A marvel crafted with artistry rare, Thy sleek design doth … Continue reading

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Clyde Hill Publishing – a northwest success

A small local publishing house is thriving and growing–now expanding into children’s books and poetry. The following is an update from the publisher and my friend, Greg Shaw. It’s heartening to see former KUOW host Steve Sher authoring “The Moon … Continue reading

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Lost Generation Palindrome Poem

Thanks to Ed M.

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Growing old

Thanks to Mary Jane F. GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY –  (Written by a woman to women, but…..) I have no idea how to do that… Maybe… Don’t complain too much…just enough You are not the center of the universe, though your … Continue reading

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Thank God for poets

By Margaret Renkl in the NYT NASHVILLE — When the poet Amanda Gorman stepped to the lectern at President Biden’s inauguration, she faced a much-diminished crowd of masked people on the National Mall, but she was speaking directly to the heart of a … Continue reading

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Amazing Amanda

From Jim S: For those of you who missed or chose not to watch the Inaugural Proceedings this morning I Invite you to view Amanda Gorman’s reading Inaugural Ceremony poem “The Hill We Climb”.  

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The poet Wendell Berry reflects on the sublime peace of escaping into wilderness

When despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on … Continue reading

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T’was a month before Christmas 2020

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From the Parable of the Talents

Thanks to Hollis W. By Octavia E. Butler in Parable of the Talents. To be led by a coward      is to be controlled by all that the coward fears. To be led by a fool      is … Continue reading

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Mining Poems or Odes | Bridging the Gap: Resilience – Subtitled

Robert, an ex-shipyard welder from Govan in Glasgow, reflects on how his experiences have influenced his compulsion to write. His poetry reveals a man trying to achieve contentment through words and philosophy. The craftsman has put aside his tools for … Continue reading

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Perhaps a eulogy for RBG

Thanks Mary Jane F. When Great Trees Fall    Maya Angelou When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety. When great trees fall in forests, small things … Continue reading

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A few figs from thistles

Poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay FIRST FIG MY candle burns at both ends;  It will not last the night;But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–  It gives a lovely light! SECOND FIG SAFE upon the solid rock the ugly houses … Continue reading

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Shelter in Place

Thanks to Marilyn W. SHELTER IN PLACE Long before the pandemic, the trees knew how to guard one place with roots and shade. Moss found how to hug a stone for life. Every stream works out how to move in … Continue reading

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Poem from New Zealand

Thanks to Rosemary W.! I’m normally a social girl I love to meet my mates But lately with the virus here We can’t go out the gates. You see, we are the ‘oldies’ now We need to stay inside If … Continue reading

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Today’s limerick – please don’t grouse

There is a man in the White House Called many names, even a louse When ever in trouble His temper will bubble And his chest puffs up like a grouse

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Can you add a limerick?

Mary M’s family has gotten into limericks and she shares one with us below. Apparently others are into this also, particularly Ross and John listeners. Now the challenge. Please send your limericks (that are fit for publishing) for all to … Continue reading

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Lockdown by Irish Poet Richard Hendrick

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God bless those who keep us safe

Thanks to Margarete B. From the California Highway Patrol: There are some stories that truly speak to the heart and retired Ohio State Trooper Bob Welsh’s touching poem, “My Christmas Eve”, is certainly one of them. With his permission, we … Continue reading

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Train of Life

The Train of Life Thanks to Rosemarie W. for sharing this poem

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Now I will do nothing but listen’ – Walt Whitman on how sound shapes the self

I hear the chorus, it is a grand opera,Ah this indeed is music – this suits me. From Aeon ‘Song of Myself’ was first published as an untitled selection in Walt Whitman’s landmark poetry collection Leaves of Grass (1855), and was revised … Continue reading

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Prayers of Old Men by Ralph Murre

I’ll bet you think the old men are praying to be young men with young lovers, but they kneel now beside your bed and pray for the things young men haven’t heard of yet – the high plateaus of you … Continue reading

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Love

LOVE by Czesław Miłosz Love means to learn to look at yourself The way one looks at distant things For you are only one thing among many. And whoever sees that way heals his heart, Without knowing it, from various … Continue reading

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The Black National Anthem

Ed note: In November I’m attending a caregivers conference that opens with the Black National Anthem. “Lift Every Voice” was unknown to me and it’s taken a bit of research to bring it to life for me. Hope you like … Continue reading

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