Been away for a time but back for this poem, one I use often with students.
I’ve paired it with some other poems & short stories that show generational connections, especially grandmother and granddaughter. Revealing the disconnect between the experience of the elder and the young.
Been away for a time but back for this poem, one I use often with students.
I’ve paired it with some other poems & short stories that show generational connections, especially grandmother and granddaughter. Revealing the disconnect between the experience of the elder and the young.
A prose poem with punch and power.
José Olivarez’s “Ars Poetica“ lands blows against the cultural landscapes of his familial migration, so far, rising above toxicity to celebrate the loved people, safety, and survival.
Let me try again: a poem that celebrates the struggle.
A prose poem with punch and power.
José Olivarez’s “Ars Poetica“ lands blows against the cultural landscapes of his familial migration, so far, rising above toxicity to celebrate the loved people, safety, and survival.
Let me try again: a poem that celebrates the struggle.
First take, a small moment between father and daughter with flowers and an unexpected turn.
Why does the young girl pull away?
There is so much possibility in that suspended moment. Yet, the promise “I will never give you a fist full of wasps” is full of humor and love.
First take, a small moment between father and daughter with flowers and an unexpected turn.
Why does the young girl pull away?
There is so much possibility in that suspended moment. Yet, the promise “I will never give you a fist full of wasps” is full of humor and love.
First take, the breadth and vastness “Telescope” is a window to the night sky and true relation of the nature of things.
“There is a moment after you move your eye away / when you forget where you are” but “You see again how far away / every thing is from every other thing.”
First take, the breadth and vastness “Telescope” is a window to the night sky and true relation of the nature of things.
“There is a moment after you move your eye away / when you forget where you are” but “You see again how far away / every thing is from every other thing.”
First takeaway, the sense of loss. Loss of who instructed “Not alone — never alone” and showed the speaker how to “Look!” Also, the who likely hurt by the speaker’s inattention. So, multiple lessons are learned about loss, despite the who having left the speaker.
First takeaway, the sense of loss. Loss of who instructed “Not alone — never alone” and showed the speaker how to “Look!” Also, the who likely hurt by the speaker’s inattention. So, multiple lessons are learned about loss, despite the who having left the speaker.
Another powerful, poignant poem that remains resonant despite it being slightly dated. This masterful stuff by Naomi Shihab Nye.
What strikes me first is the tone and nature of how the speaker addresses a young girl lost, Jamyla Bolden. There is such tenderness and care.
Another powerful, poignant poem that remains resonant despite it being slightly dated. This masterful stuff by Naomi Shihab Nye.
What strikes me first is the tone and nature of how the speaker addresses a young girl lost, Jamyla Bolden. There is such tenderness and care.
Wow. So poignant, powerful, punctual a poem.
First read of “Running Orders,” the specificity of detail loaded in lines so vivid but brief build a tension only occasionally released with a longer line. It sent me looking for more Lena Khalaf Tuffaha. What a discovered delight.
Wow. So poignant, powerful, punctual a poem.
First read of “Running Orders,” the specificity of detail loaded in lines so vivid but brief build a tension only occasionally released with a longer line. It sent me looking for more Lena Khalaf Tuffaha. What a discovered delight.
What jumps out to me is the power of “Dayside anger” in contrast to the nightside tears, and the weight and massiveness of it all being in a tanka titled Jupiters.
What jumps out to me is the power of “Dayside anger” in contrast to the nightside tears, and the weight and massiveness of it all being in a tanka titled Jupiters.
First impression is how much I love poems that appeal to senses beyond visual. It’s impossible not to breathe in smells reading this poem from the first line’s “dank.” Cellar might’ve been enough, but dank summons a string of stinks even before Roethke suggests they “congress.”
First impression is how much I love poems that appeal to senses beyond visual. It’s impossible not to breathe in smells reading this poem from the first line’s “dank.” Cellar might’ve been enough, but dank summons a string of stinks even before Roethke suggests they “congress.”
This is a knotty poem for me, the kind that really requires multiple readings.
First thing that stand out to me are the religious/spiritual reference points that almost serve as punctuations of experience juxtaposed with “despite my disbelief.” There is loss and it remains.
This is a knotty poem for me, the kind that really requires multiple readings.
First thing that stand out to me are the religious/spiritual reference points that almost serve as punctuations of experience juxtaposed with “despite my disbelief.” There is loss and it remains.
I’m not sure I’m fully prepared to take on this poem today, perhaps later.
Yet, I will share I adored Langston Hughes immediately. He is my first poet, like a first love, as Jericho Brown says introducing his persona poem “Langston Blues.”
poets.org/poem/langsto...
I’m not sure I’m fully prepared to take on this poem today, perhaps later.
Yet, I will share I adored Langston Hughes immediately. He is my first poet, like a first love, as Jericho Brown says introducing his persona poem “Langston Blues.”
poets.org/poem/langsto...
First noticing of Alberto Ríos’ “When Giving Is All We Have” is how the poem moves through three parts, roughly lines 1-6 (why we give), 7-12 (what giving looks like), & 13-17 (the gift of giving).
First noticing of Alberto Ríos’ “When Giving Is All We Have” is how the poem moves through three parts, roughly lines 1-6 (why we give), 7-12 (what giving looks like), & 13-17 (the gift of giving).
#PoemADayJuly
#PoemADayJuly
There is even a cheeky part of me that wonders, “What must that preceding winter have been like?”
There is even a cheeky part of me that wonders, “What must that preceding winter have been like?”