New and Review

This week The Poetry Locksmith reviews “Dearest Creature,” a book of poems by an exceedingly interesting poet named Amy Gerstler.  Earlier this week we added a new poet to our roster, Christopher Hivner.  I hope you’ll stop by and enjoy both the article and the review.  I do write an entertaining review, I think and Chris Hivner’s poetry is certainly worth reading.  I mean, if it wasn’t I would not have published it, right?

I’m pretty excited because I am going to be the horn section for the R & B band, Unclaimed Freight on Thursday as long as my train runs on schedule.  I am looking forward to that unique feel of vocals, rhythm section and trombone.  Yeah, I’m psyched.

Universe of Change

You know when the tailor measures you
Chalk marks above your ankles
At different heights on each leg
His assurances of fit are empty

You know when the jeweler does not write
What you say on that receipt
His carbon copies of a misunderstanding
Will make the gift wrong

You know, too, as the car drifts forward
Into the intersection at a light
Despite the fact you have the green
They will not stop in time

You know the beauty of the body
The projected ecstasy of the imagined
That the animal will make promises
The spirit cannot keep

These lessons brought to you each day
By our Sponsor to remind you
That you can always choose to say “Yes, please”
Or “No, thank you”

Poetry by John Grey and A Children’s Book to Help Children Everywhere

This week at Eye On Life, John Grey returns with two more of his fine poems that treat us to his fine eye for detail here in the physical existence.  We hope you’ll stop by and read his fine work.

“How To Be A Super Bear” by Bruce King is not only a great children’s book; it’s proceeds will benefit children around the world.  Read the article at Eye On Life Magazine to find out how.

The Solace of Nature

Mother Nature isn’t always the kindest mom.  But if you get past the biting, stinging insects and poison ivy, you will see just how beautiful She is.  Seriously, it’s all a matter of what one is accustomed to.  Most of us spend about 98% of our time indoors.  If we spent 98% of our time outdoors we’d barely notice something as insignificant as a fly buzzing around our head.

Hence the illusion of man as separate from nature.  Sure, we separate ourselves with things that we fabricate – clothes, houses, vehicles – yet where do we come from?  Our biological functions are perhaps identical to those of other mammals, especially primates.  Our body is an animal body.  It needs the same things animals need.

Just as you can train most animals to be at home in your house, you can train yourself to be at home outdoors.  Not that you have to actually live outdoors, but you should make it a point to spend some time in a wild place now and again and get in touch with your inner animal.   You may be surprised by what you reveal to yourself.

Personally I love wetlands.  I love to see the sky reflected in the open water and the cacophony of colors that grow wild along the shores and among the reeds.  I love frogs and turtles, beavers and muskrats, and especially dragonflies.

I visited a wetland today:  Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States.  I liked it.