One Poet’s Perspective -
2014 Columns
December, 2014 Unexpected Harvest
Posted outside the brick building is a sign:
PARKING FOR CUSTOMERS OF GREAT
HARVEST ONLY. ALL OTHERS WILL BE
BEATEN WITH BREAD DOUGH.
October, 2014 A Wholly Neutral Thing
Getting out of the car, two vertebrae grinding together through a disintegrating
disc reminded me, without mercy, that I was four short digits away from the half-
Setpember, 2014 Protecting What We Love
John Muir once said, "What we love we protect." That concise nutshell contains the reason why in the autumn of 2008 seven poets met together with the intention of gathering on a twice monthly basis to write poetry of endangered places in San Luis Obispo County with the goal that we turn our collection of poems into a book, if the work warranted it.
August, 2014 Singing Dreams Into Form
In the summer and autumn of 1995 the late Beverly [Ensing] Young, then Cal Poly architecture professor Ken Haggard, and I collaborated on a limited edition book for a January 1996 exhibit and poetry reading at Linnaea's Café in San Luis Obispo. The book, SINGING DREAMS INTO FORM, sold out in a few months.
June, 2014 Skin Signs and Primrose
Primrose
In a deep spread of gravel
A single wild primrose
Thrusts upward through small stones.
Tall, delicate, its scalloped silken petals
Shine like sunlight distilled.
May, 2014 A Great-
A Song of Simple Praise
As nature nurtures the earth
through emerald hours of May
we set aside a special day
to honor those who gave us birth.
April, 2014 To Honor our Planet and Poetry
In April we honor two things for which many earthlings share passionate love: our planet and poetry. April 22nd marks the worldwide observance of Earth Day through the planting of trees, the general greening of the sphere, and other countless acts of service and stewardship. And all month long in myriad ways, especially in our schools and libraries, poetry is celebrated.
March, 2014 The Nurture Nature Offers
In a redwood forest
I sit in the palm of God’s hand
surrendering to the Voice
sighing through redwood fingers
reaching toward heaven,
surrendering to the Voiced
February, 2014 Miracle of the Monarchs
"Butterflies are everywhere!" shouted Jacob, our bright blue-
Brilliant orange and black Monarch butterflies fluttered, drifted, and soared in the blue and gold sky of a perfect March day in Pismo Beach like a spring version of autumn leaves in flight. The towering eucalyptus grove on Highway 1, known for its butterfly trees, is the migratory home of the plentiful fragile winged creatures. Today it was like a monumental magnet aswirl with them.
January, 2014 New Year's Musings
My memory is short these days so I don't make New Year's resolutions anymore. I set my intentions on a daily basis. I'm more likely to see my aims manifest that way. When they do, it's always a pleasure. Kinda wish I'd come to that realization earlier. I'm also easier on myself, so long as I don't get mired in the "shoulds" of life. I find when I'm easier on myself I'm much more likely to be reasonable with those around me.