Poetry
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The Cruelest Month — Part One
“April is the cruelest month,” begins T.S. Eliot’s poem, The Wasteland, regarded as one of the most important poems of the 20th century. That line came to me a couple of times during the past week because of the deaths… Continue reading
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A Hush Now, Linda Gregg
Within four days of each other two of my favorite poets have died: W.S. Merwin on March 15, and Linda Gregg two days ago. Gregg was first introduced to me by my late poet friend, Kathy Mitchell, and yesterday, I… Continue reading
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Thanks, W.S. Merwin
W.S. Merwin, whose poems about the fragility of the natural world and the horrors of the Vietnam War earned him two Pulitzer Prizes and made him one of the preeminent English-language poets of the past five decades, died March 15… Continue reading
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Winter Sleep
Yesterday, much-loved poet Mary Oliver died of lymphoma. She was 83. As NPR posted in its obituary, “Oliver won many awards for her poems, which often explore the link between nature and the spiritual world; she also won a legion… Continue reading
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Aglow 11/17/18
Today, Adrienne and I are celebrating our 14th ANNIVERSARY! To honor the occasion, here’s a charming love poem that was published in the New Yorker’s January 8, 2018 issue: Love Poem Without A Drop of Hyperbole In It by Traci Brimhall I love you like ladybugs… Continue reading
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Aglow — All Saint’s Day 2018
Today is All Saint’s Day — a Christian festival in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. This year, I remember my mother, who died last January 6. I miss her. I wish I had known her better. I… Continue reading
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Aglow 10/11/18
A year before she died, my poet friend, Kathy Mitchell, won first place in a Virginia poetry competition for the poem featured in today’s post. She wrote it following a break-up with her then male companion. Let’s Be Trees Kathy… Continue reading
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A Blackbird’s Song
Did the song of a blackbird bring comfort to my dying friend? ***** “A blackbird’s song can’t stop disease, but it can offer comfort.” So believes Rachel Clarke, the author of Your Life In My Hands: A Junior Doctor’s Story… Continue reading
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Aglow 9/22/18
This weekend, Spark and Spitfire introduces a new regular weekend post called AGLOW, which will feature a poem that has had meaning for me — and perhaps for you, too. Peace to all. A GIFT by Denise Levertov Just when you seem to… Continue reading
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Without Donald Hall
Donald Hall, one of my favorite poets and the husband of another of my favorite poets — Jane Kenyon — died this past Saturday. He was 89 — the age my mother was when she died earlier this year. Hall… Continue reading
