For My Mother and Other Collectors of Strays

April is National Poetry Month! I've dug down deep for this one, written for my Mom at least 30 years ago when she was the age that I am now. For My Mother and Other Collectors of Strays   I want you to contradict me. When I shiver in my cavernous apartment complaining that autumn … Continue reading For My Mother and Other Collectors of Strays

The Child’s Notebook

I wrote this piece with my Thursday night group.  I changed most of the prompts, but perhaps you may still recognize them:  the child, September, denigration, breakage, loss of youth, rust, crawling sickness, an obstacle, aberration, there are layers, no one was ready, nostalgic, January, time’s fun when you’re having flies, a blessing, apple tree, green shirts, … Continue reading The Child’s Notebook

Oisin and Patrick: an Irish Tale

For Saint Patrick’s Day, I thought I would share 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 the poet who recorded his father’s great … Continue reading Oisin and Patrick: an Irish Tale

Poetic License

When I feel sad disconnected unsure of where I belong I invite the poet in.   She will remember the soft yellow-gray belly of the mocking bird vibrating as he trills high above me on the outer branch of a tree at the edge of the bridge. Darn, I can’t remember what kind of tree … Continue reading Poetic License