Published in The POM

·Pinned

18 Poems Every Poet and Writer Should Read

Eighteen Poets Who Have Influenced My Writing — From the thousands of poems and almost 200 books of poetry that I have read in the last fifty years, here are 18 poets I recommend that every creative person read. (I have provided a link that will take you to each poem mentioned.) All of these poets did most…

Poetry

8 min read

18 Poems Every Poet and Writer Should Read

Published in ILLUMINATION

·Pinned

The Anatomy of A Poet

Insights into How My Writing Has Evolved — Haiku In the early years of my writing career, I focused solely on writing, reading and rewriting haiku. During a seven year period, I published over 125 haiku in more than 25 magazines including Modern Haiku, Dragonfly, and Cicada. (This was prior to the internet when poetry magazines were still published…

Poetry

8 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·4 days ago

Supper Time

A Story-Poem I wipe the mud from my work boots and sit them on the cold floor. I step into the kitchen and smell the aroma of beef stew cooking on the gas stove. I hug my wife and ask about her day. She tells me to take a shower while she sets the table and calls the children. I smile and ask…

Work

1 min read

Supper Time

A Story-Poem

I wipe the mud
from my work boots
and sit them
on the cold floor.
I step into the kitchen
and smell the aroma
of beef stew cooking
on the gas stove.
I hug my wife and
ask about her day.
She tells me to take
a shower while she sets
the table and calls
the children. I smile and
ask…

Published in The Torchbearer

·Jun 13

Theft

A Poem I remember the words of my mother and feel her hand on my shoulder. Time is a gift that we steal from ourselves. Hold your thoughts in your heart so you can feel their warmth on those nights when the north wind sends a chill down your back. I catch a snowflake on my tongue and cry…

Time

1 min read

Theft

A Poem

I remember
the words
of my mother
and feel
her hand
on my shoulder.
Time is a gift
that we steal
from ourselves.
Hold your thoughts
in your heart
so you can feel
their warmth
on those nights
when the north wind
sends a chill
down your back.
I catch a snowflake
on my tongue
and cry…

Published in The Torchbearer

·Jun 5

Hour of My Birth

A Poem With Commentary — I eat peanuts and pray that I will find a way through the weeds and rubble. God nibbles on a tuna sandwich and laughs at my silly jokes. I do not want to fail Him in His time of great need. His memory is full of holes and His heart may give up. I sip water and remember the hour of my birth…

Memories

3 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·May 21

Books

A Story-Poem with Commentary — My mother told me on multiple occasions that I shouldn’t hide in books. She said that books would be the ruin of me. I scoffed at her words and ignored her warnings. Books are my carriage into unknown worlds where I can become someone other than the person who I am, a seamstress for the rich. I have been a lover of kings and a…

Books

3 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·Apr 25

A Thousand Worlds

A Spiritual Poem with Commentary — God gave me a coat of rainbow colors to wear on my many travels through the lands of a thousand worlds. I thanked Him for His kindness and kissed Him on His cheek. He told me not to forget to share His name with the many creatures that I would meet. I asked for His blessing and disappeared into the darkness…

Universe

2 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·Apr 18

Brother Al

A Story Poem With Commentary — He was a little bit of a thing— knee-high to a grasshopper as pa used to say. But his hair was the funnier sight— white as the coverings women wear in church. Been that way since birth. He didn’t seem to mind it, though, until he met Ruthy Shonkwiler. She…

Storytelling

5 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·Apr 10

Face To Face

A Poem With Commentary — I stand naked before God and His minions. Sometimes dreams are gifts that prepare us for our future. I have been here before, eye to eye, face to face with the Almighty. I have tasted His wrath on my lips and His desire in my heart. Why do we wish for what we cannot have…

Justice

3 min read

Published in The Torchbearer

·Apr 3

Next Move

A Poem With Commentary — I hide my fear in a cup of coffee, taking sips now and then, hoping to avoid the anger in your eyes. You don’t approve of my silence or lack of words. The more you push, the more I withdraw. I nibble on a doughnut and wait your next move. Commentary …

Relationships

4 min read

18 Poems Every Poet and Writer Should Read

The Anatomy of A Poet

Supper Time

Supper Time

Theft

Theft

Hour of My Birth

Books

A Thousand Worlds

Brother Al

Face To Face

Next Move

Harley King