A few years ago, my friend Laurel realized that Christmas would never be the way she remembered it or the way she was acccustomed to celebrating it. Her two kids (with autism spectrum disorder) couldn't handle the upheaval and stimuli. The family had to cut way back on decorating, gift-giving, traveling, eating… The story of… Continue reading Advent in poetry
It's mushroom season—it must be, because they are growing everywhere. I snapped some fine specimens on my walk the other day. They always remind me of the fun little poem we learned in school—"The Elf and the Dormouse" Umbrellas galore! (Photo © 2015 by V. Nesdoly) The Elf and the Dormouse Under a toadstool crept… Continue reading The Elf and the Dormouse
Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Prayer of St. Patrick I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. I arise today Through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to… Continue reading St. Patrick’s Prayer
Seventy-five years ago, in December of 1939, Britain was at war. It's easy to forget, knowing what we do today, that at the time no one knew how that war would end. That year in his Christmas message King George VI ended his 9-minute broadcast with the lines of an obscure poem by a little-known… Continue reading The Gate of the Year
Conspiracy of Light: Poems Inspired by the Legacy of C.S. Lewis by D.S. Martin My rating: 5 of 5 stars “There is, then, creative reading as well as creative writing” said Emerson. Canadian poet D. S. Martin has read. C. S. Lewis creatively over years in order for us to now enjoy Conspiracy of Light:… Continue reading Conspiracy of Light (review)
As I mentioned in part 1, Dawson Trail, in Dawson Creek, B.C. is lined with granite boulders that have tanka engraved on them. These poems celebrate the seasons, flowers, birds, and critters of the area. If you missed part 1, it's HERE. Here are four more poems you'll find on the Dawson Trail. If… Continue reading Dawson Trail Tanka (2)
We got back from our vacation in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the end of July. Dawson Creek is a town in northeast B.C. Near Alberta's western boundary, it is Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway. Our daughter's family moved there some months ago, and this was our second visit (the first was this winter/spring). One… Continue reading Dawson Trail Tanka (1)
HOW BIRDS SING by Kay Ryan One is not taxed; one need not practice; one simply tips the throat back over the spine axis and asserts the chest. (Go HERE to read the rest. Scroll down a bit...) *************** Right around the end of last year, Mary Lee Hahn offered a Kay Ryan book giveaway… Continue reading The song of birds
Violet Nesdoly 