Sparks
-
Magnetic Fuel
“Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.” — Charles Bukowski (1920-1994), underground writer and poet Continue reading
-
Going to Pieces
I was addicted, but how I became addicted wasn’t all that puzzling. Continue reading
-
The Knee Also Rises
“The sunrise view” — that’s the formal name of the featured image in this post which is an x-ray of my right knee flexed. It’s called the sunrise view because the patella (the kneecap) appears to be rising over the… Continue reading
-
First Lines
In April, I began an on-line writing course with Natalie Goldberg, whose intensive writing retreats have changed my life. I attended my first retreat with her in March 1996 and the second in 2006 and 2007. At the heart of… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
Survival of the Prettiest
What if survival of the fittest is not enough to explain nature? What if we also needed survival of the prettiest? These are the provocative questions of the New York Times magazine article, “How Beauty is Making Scientists Rethink Evolution”… Continue reading
-
The Light Within You
This Spark and Spitfire post introduces a new regular feature and category — Sparks — thoughts, excerpts, rants, etc. — inspired by my current reading. What purpose does religion serve in our lives? Why does religion still exist in the 21st century?… Continue reading
