In the crowded jumble of black and khaki-colored jackets and coats, olive green knit caps and brown gloves, Nick’s eyes were drawn to a woman in a royal blue trench coat, an orange and yellow floral scarf wrapped around her head and neck. She was neither young nor thin, but gazing at her, he was … Continue reading Guardian Angel
Written with the prompts: head bowed in silence, is that all there is?, hear that?, a couple walking into the fog, yangy tangy, one good reason, tired of using words “Hear that?” he asked as we pulled up to the sidewalk to exit the high rise parking garage. “What?” I asked, feeling distracted as I … Continue reading Hear That?
For Saint Patrick’s Day, I thought I would share a reprint of a favorite post, relating a bit of Irish history (sometimes called mythology). This poem tells the story of Patrick’s encounter with a poet named Oisin. Oisin (pronounced O-sheen) was the son of Finn MacUail (pronounced M’Cool) who was a great warrior. Oisin was … Continue reading Oisin and Patrick
Written with the prompts: she could see no one, Mother’s Rest, Oklahoma, power, read books real hard, you smell terrible, to this day, where’s Bill, what about the body?, a sense of neighborhood, story?, you need to leave, gift, typical summer weather, kiss, what they taught me She could see no one anymore, isolated as … Continue reading Exile
(with thanks to Paul Simon on Brigid’s midwinter feast day) The prompt was to write a poem inspired by a song, and so I did. Midway between the winter solstice and the shush of an espresso machine I stand hypnotized by the sound of water dripping, my feet shifting on sticky linoleum. The tule fog … Continue reading The Roots of Rhythm
Written with the prompts: a former student, who is the dreamer and where is the dream, a quick call, a red balloon landed next to him, a river, lived a few doors down, man orchids, naked ladies, maybe next year, oddly familiar, deja vu, or am I?, pain lives in my pocket, Randall Tiller is … Continue reading Maybe Next Year
Written with my the prompts: talker, best kept secret, last night I dreamed, reference to the front, the king’s dogs, has less to do with pain, the fence is not a barrier Last night I dreamed that the river breached its levee and crept on tiny feet step by step like a kit fox into … Continue reading Waiting
Here's a different kind of Valentine's Story with a different kind of happy ending. Written a few years back with the prompts: Angus lost a shoe not far from the folly, busy street but you are alone, dog named Moose who didn’t like men, buyer’s remorse, refuse, I can carry on It all started the … Continue reading Marilyn’s Folly
Written with my Thursday night group with the prompts: who grew up this way; in summer they are golden-colored; he didn’t say anything, he just took her shoes; I like my body when it is with your body; simply enjoy; now she is in love; fuzzy coffee; you ate my joy; it will never work … Continue reading Regret at Midday
Written with my Thursday night group with the prompts: I hope I’m to in your way; I’m not dead, only you; frightened by my body; I sued to pretend it was fun; haunted by whispers; she played sax; didn’t want to go there; let’s hear it for cousin Karen; a gap between her two front … Continue reading Only You
