May words always befriend you

GalleyCat is celebrating National Poetry Month by interviewing poets about working in “this digital age.” Recently, they shared their interview with Naomi Shihab Nye. Her response to the question Has the internet changed the way you interact with readers? tickled me: Interacting with readers is certainly speedier now! It’s a gift, though I still love handwritten … Continue reading →

Parting with a Book

A few months ago, I began writing a found poem after each poetry collection I read. It started with Anne Sexton’s Transformations and moved on to Naomi Shihab Nye’s Transfer along with Jane Hirshfield’s Come, Thief. I try to capture my favorite moments within each book and weave them into something for myself and further reflection. It’s become … Continue reading →

Recycle or Trash Bin?

I found three poems at the bottom of my duffel bag today. Two of them are unfinished are are destined to remain as such, I think. I may steal a few lines from them at some point. I may just throw them away altogether. Do you ever experience this? Do you ever look at a … Continue reading →

Y Después (And Then)

Lately, I find myself thinking in poetry. Or rather, the things I want to say are in poems I’ve read. Yes, I want them to speak for me. Yesterday, I wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words. I know all the words that have come before have been wrong. So, I figured … Continue reading →

Cliché of the Heart, Take Two

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about my problems with “the heart” in poems, or rather, using it in my poetry. Yesterday, I came across a lovely poem in a set of three by Jane Hirshfield and find it to be the perfect poem in using the heart as a metaphor and effectively tying … Continue reading →