I saw a baby delivered! I'd never watched a birth, and also never been in the OR (this was a C-section). Experiencing both simultaneously was particularly intense. These days Mom is generally awake (although thoroughly numbed!) while the surgery is going on (sometimes there's a general, but not usually). It's pretty wild to be standing and ( Read more... )

I've been neglecting my poetry posting. Tonight: when song lyrics become poetry.

First: is it a love song to a motorcycle, or to a girl?

( It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952 )

The Mason Jar has been shaken hard. In chronological order ( Read more... )

Once again it is National Poetry Month. Last year I posted a poem every week; this year I'm going to post a poem whenever I get the chance. Which is right now.

I want to give a brief background to this poem. I love Rainer Maria Rilke. I started reading his Book of Hours last year while on retreat at the Powell House in New York- a Quaker ( Read more... )

This past September 11th, I read a number of journal entries by various friends reflecting on the date. All I could think of was this poem. Today's the second of October, and yesterday in particular (as today) the same poem has been running through my mind ( Read more... )

I'm not entirely sure whether I'll keep up posting poetry on Tuesdays after today, it being the last Tuesday of poetry month, after all ( Read more... )

Meeting for Worship this past Sunday was wonderful (bear with me, this is relevant). Quakers theoretically don't lift one day up above another, but it's hard to forget Easter, and Meeting was packed ( Read more... )

Two poems this week; one for John and one for Lyndsay.

( A Secret Life, by Stephen Dunn )

As of thirty seconds ago, I have decided that Tuesdays in April will be Poetry Days. Why? Because April is National Poetry Month, because everyone needs more poetry in their lives, and because I say so.

I picked this poem because it's beautiful and hopeful. Me, I need a little hope in my life right now.

Sometimes
by Sheenagh Pugh ( Read more... )