She climbs the steps with gentle care,to where the arrows climb through stairs,Colorful worlds faraway skies,day dreams written where wonder lies. The ocean hums as waves roll near,a storm will come, it’s shadow clear.She runs inside, the thunder sighs,the house a shelter from gray skies. Fresh raindrops scatter on the glass,each bring soft whispers as... Continue Reading →| Grace of the Sun
This week for Tanka Tuesday, Colleen Chesebro asked us to create a Taiga. A tanka is a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure, or s-l-s-l-l, which consists of 5 lines written in the first-person point of vie…| The Showers of Blessings
Her eyes were tired, heart weighed down,her boy’s sharp cries had filled the town.Her tears were heavy, spirit worn,her son’s deep struggles left her torn. Love held her close and stroked her hand,searched for a ways she’d understand.Love softly said, “I’ll bring you rest,maybe some peace, I’ll do my best.” “I’ll bring you food, a... Continue Reading → The post White Crow appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
Upon the sloping rooftop tall,where turrets guard the bricks and wall,Scatter of birds have found their seat,their chatter drifts above the street. Loud pigeons coo as sparrows shift,the rooftop hums, a feathered drift,but one lone gull, with watchful eye,looks past the tiles toward the sky. The chimney’s marked, the tiles are stained,by wings that linger,... Continue Reading → The post Wishful Cravings appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
She gazes through the misty panes,a wooden bench just brushed by rains.Gazes past thoughts that cross her mind,lands on echos both warm and kind. Tall pretty trees serve as a screen,a grassy yard, a quiet scene.Within this hush she drifts in time,back to her youth, soft raindrops chime. Lush branches dance in gentle sway,with blades... Continue Reading → The post Inner Child appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
Rises with a gentle cheer,as bright words draw him so near.Inward chant, “I am enough,”through thoughts of morning’s soft puff. Walks to where the soft streams sing,hears the robins joyful ring.Paints the dawn with skies of gold,in him warm truths a take hold. Smile, because the day is kind,peace rests within his calm mind.Assured ,... Continue Reading → The post Affirmations appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
In tall grass she stands,two young cubs at her side,eyes fixed to the left,upon each daily stride. Through sun’s glare and heat,her guard will never break,each step, each small choice,made for her children’s sake. But come evening’s glow,their claws transform to play,they stir pots and laugh,as the world drifts away. In the mirror’s frame,their smiles... Continue Reading → The post Out of the Wild appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
She lived through nights of silent cries,a loveless home, unending lies.Each wound she bore, each dream turned cold,a tale of heartache, harshly told. She wore the years like heavy chains,through bitter nights, betrayals’ pains.Fake laughter faded, hope ran thin,yet still she fought the storms within. She felt so dark, her spirit stayed,through storms that broke,... Continue Reading → The post For You appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
Exhales while on vacation,inner calm, sweet sensation.An insightful book sits near,“Free Forever”, printed clear. Pages whisper, soft, profound,of futures where peace is found,between the steel, soil, and sky,answers live where questions die. Exhibit so, strange and grand,weathered, worn, robotic hand.Rests on grass as life takes flight,butterflies in gentle light. Wandered off, with eager eyes,full of... Continue Reading → The post Unrestrained appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
They raised their voices, sharp and loud,swift storm of words, a heavy cloud.Sharp silence came, the air grew still,uneasy hearts, longing to heal. In a deep breath and a step back,they analyzed perceived attacks.Illusions fell, all truths exposed,ego soon fled, then decomposed. One reached out, a gentle hand,another sighed, began to stand.A smile returned, the... Continue Reading → The post Stitched appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
By the window, quiet and still,her cup near by, a peaceful chill.She sat with hands both soft and worn,a velvet hush, a daydream born.Two photos rest on lap with care,pleasant moments, once captured there. In one she wears a bright red coat,crossing a bridge where cold winds float.A castle looms in ancient grace,just stone and... Continue Reading → The post Glimpse of Time appeared first on Grace of the Sun.| Grace of the Sun
Far away dreams that slipped worn hands,from island shores to busy lands.The Bronx was loud, the nights were long,she worked and prayed to keep them strong. The bills piled high as time ran thin,she tucked her quiet guilt within.“No time for games,” she used to say,while Spanish words just slipped away. Her babies grew with... Continue Reading →| Grace of the Sun
Just had to share this moment with you. On this day in 1915, Robert Frost’s iconic poem “The Road Not Taken” was first published in The Atlantic Monthly. More than a century later, its opening lines still echo in our hearts: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel both…” It’sContinue reading "A Milestone in Poetry August 1, 1915"| Rebecca's Reading Room
Listen & Be Heard Remix Volume Three: a timely blend of our guests reading from their work, highlights from previous episodes, and a few surprises.| Listen & Be Heard Network
There are moments in life when we are called to let go — not out of indifference, but out of deep, abiding love. Georgia Douglas Johnson’s Benediction captures such a moment with tenderness and strength. It is the voice of an elder, perhaps a parent or mentor, sending their beloved into the world with aContinue reading "“Benediction” by Georgia Douglas Johnson"| Rebecca's Reading Room
Listen & Be Heard Remix Volume Two: a timely blend of our guests reading from their work, highlights from previous episodes, and a few surprises.| Listen & Be Heard Network
Tower of books, spines turned away,their titles hushed, deep thoughts at bay.Arranged with care from large to slight,a quiet climb from dark to light. Each page within holds untold lore,wise words declare what came before.They lean in silence, ever proud,like wisdom dressed in linen shroud. Beside this stack, a dinner scene,fine ladies meet, each one... Continue Reading →| Grace of the Sun
Listen & Be Heard Remix Volume One: a timely blend of our guests reading from their work, and other highlights from previous episodes.| Listen & Be Heard Network
Giana Grace, so bold, so bright,you fill our hearts with joy and light.At twenty now, you’ve come so far,a shining soul, a brilliant star. In gold, green, black, you proudly stand,sunflower queen, so strong and grand.At UNCC, dreams take flight,you walk with purpose, strength, and might. Pure essence can remove all doubts,beautiful curls sparkle about.Infectious... Continue Reading →| Grace of the Sun
Dorsía Smith Silva is the author of In Inheritance of Drowning (CavanKerry, 2024), which was a finalist for the Whirling Prize and reviewed by Publishers Weekly. She is a multi-nominated Pushcart Prize nominee, Best of the Net finalist, Best New Poets nominee, Cave Canem Poetry Prize Semifinalist, Poetry Editor at The Hopper, and Professor of English at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.| Listen & Be Heard Network
As we get older, our relationships with our parents evolve. Poet and Milwaukee native Karl Michael Iglesias knows this and has been reflecting on how he’s grown into a new version of his mother’s son. Iglesias explores this evolution, along with his own gratitude, in the poem, “Satellite.”| Wisconsin Life
Martha talks with Jonathan Thirkield author of Infinity Pool. Our new co-host, Judy Talaugon talks about The Tribunal Project. We persist in resisting book banning.| Listen & Be Heard Network
Julie Ezelle Patton is the author of The Flower Poem (Tender Buttons, 2024), Notes for Some (Nominally) Awake (Portable Press at Yo-Yo Labs, 2007), and “Car Tune” & Not So Bella Donna (Belladonna*, 2003).| Listen & Be Heard Network
Jonathan Thirkield is a poet and digital artist. He is the author of two collections—Infinity Pool and The Waker’s Corridor.| Listen & Be Heard Network
Listen & Be Heard Remix Volume Two: a timely blend of our guests reading from their work, highlights from previous episodes, and a few surprises.| Listen & Be Heard Network
Listen & Be Heard Remix Volume One: a timely blend of our guests reading from their work, and other highlights from previous episodes.| Listen & Be Heard Network
«Resilience in Verse: An Interview with Poet and Survivor, April» Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with April, a remarkable individual whose story and work are both deeply inspiring and…| Hotel by Masticadores
Interview with Gary Gautier: Exploring the Heart of His Creative Journey Today, I am thrilled to welcome Gary Gautier, a versatile author whose work spans poetry, fiction, and literature with profo…| Hotel by Masticadores
The award is presented to country music songwriters with “outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career.”| uDiscover Music
In the run up to International Dylan Thomas Day on Sunday May 14th we thought we'd share some lesser known facts about Dylan Thomas. 1 Dylan's lost poem In 1933 Dylan entered a BBC poetry competition. His poem "The Romantic Isle" was selected for broadcast, and read on air by Ian Sinclair Phail. This [...] The post 22 Things You Didn’t Know About Dylan Thomas appeared first on Discover Dylan Thomas.| Discover Dylan Thomas
Hi everyone, I thought I’d give you an update on how things are going in the tortured poets department. Stepping away from Substack -was it a good idea? You may remember I took the decision last mo…| Kathryn Anna Marshall
Denise Levertov was born 99 years ago today. Here’s a poem… Pleasures by Denise Levertov I like to find what’s not found at once, but lies . within something of another nature, in repose, distinct. Gull feathers of glass, hidden . in white pulp: the bones of squid which I pull out and lay blade … Continue reading Denise Levertov’s Pleasures| mwpm
Robert Creeley was born 95 years ago today. Here’s a poem… I Know a Man by Robert Creeley As I sd to my friend, because I am always talking,—John, I sd, which was not his name, the darkness sur- rounds us, what can we do against it, or else, shall we & why not, buy … Continue reading Robert Creeley’s I Know a Man| mwpm
Denise Levertov was born 97 years ago today. Here’s a poem… Goodbye to Tolerance by Denises Levertov Genial poets, pink-faced earnest wits— you have given the world some choice morsels, gobbets of language presented as one presents T-bone steak and Cherries Jubilee. Goodbye, goodbye, I don’t care if I never taste your fine food … Continue reading Denise Levertov’s Goodbye to Tolerance| mwpm
what’s most striking about reading rachel carson in the twenty- first century is the absence of plastic| mwpm
I don’t often read anything written before 1900, but Tennyson is worth the effort. Here’s a poem… Part I On either side the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet the sky; And thro’ the field the road runs by To many-tower’d Camelot; The yellow-leaved waterlily … Continue reading Alfred Lord Tennyson’s The Lady of Shalott (1832)| mwpm
Veronica Forrest-Thomson was born 72 years ago today. Here’s a poem… The Lady of Shalott: Ode by Veronica Forrest-Thomson The child in the snow has found her mouth, And estate-agents must beware; For if what we are seeking is not the truth And we’ve only a lie to share, The modern conveniences won’t last out, … Continue reading Veronica Forrest-Thomson’s The Lady of Shalott| mwpm
Barbara Guest was born 99 years ago today. Here’s a poem… Santa Fe Trail by Barbara Guest I go separately The sweet knees of oxen have pressed a path for me ghosts with ingots have burned their bare hands it is the dungaree darkness with China stitched where the westerly winds and the traveler’s checks … Continue reading Barbara Guest’s Santa Fe Trail| mwpm
Robert Creeley was born 93 years ago today. Here’s a poem… The Language by Robert Creeley Locate I love you some- where in . teeth and eyes, bite it but . take care not to hurt, you want so . much so little. Words say everything. . I love you again, . then what is … Continue reading Robert Creeley’s The Language| mwpm
Lawrence Ferlinghetti was born 100 years ago today! Here’s a poem… I Am Waiting by Lawrence Ferlinghetti I am waiting for my case to come up and I am waiting for a rebirth of wonder and…| mwpm
Douglas Kearney is the author of nine books. In 2023, Kearney received the Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism from the Poetry Foundation. He teaches at the University of Minnesota.| Zócalo Public Square
Laura Gilpin (October 10, 1950–February 15, 2007) was an American poet, nurse, and advocate for hospital reform. Born in Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Robert Crafton Gilpin and Bertha Burghard…| Brief Poems
