“Pater Ex Arena” [a triolet]
Grasping for gains he already grips,Striving for stakes he has won,Dad hones his steel shank on his own son's small slips.Grasping for gains? He already gripsA fear of benign — yet he holds all the chips.Will he ever soften what he thinks is such fun,Grasping for...
“What Curdles The Sour” [a villanelle]
Will we ever rescind our bald admirationFor heroes who tread on our toes,While waltzing with civility's perdition? We become those to whom we pay adoration,Swallowing their crimes as their power grows. Will we ever rescind our bald admiration? A scoundrel tends...
Delegation Nation: A Call For Citizen Poets [essay and video]
Yesterday, I presented an essay to so many long-time friends at The History Club, Columbus, Ohio. Here is the essay, in print and video. First, the printed version: Delegation Nation - A Call For Citizen Poets Now, the video: Links to:...
Brightness During Night
Last week, Connie invited me to speak to her Club on March 1st, filling in for the originally scheduled speaker. (Thank you, Connie.) I offered several topics that are ready on the shelf — and one that might be fun, from scratch. Connie chose the unwritten essay,...
Hello. I promise.
Years ago, a teacher of mine, Ed Burghard — the very first time we met — told me about his Handshake Document. "When I shake your hand," Ed said, "I automatically make these promises." He handed me a sheet of paper. The paper described the implicit promises he...
SMARTY Aim Setting for Wingnuts (2021 edition)
Here's an annual message in a bottle: it's time to set goals for next year! (But this year, it's not goals. It's aims. More on that below.) I'm not the goal-setting type.I prefer to wing it. That's my strength. When it comes to setting goals, I'm a wingnut. Goals seem...
ANNOUNCING: Pandemonia (Poems In Seclusion)
This is a new book, free for the asking. So ask. I have no time for publishing it as a book, so it will be stapled and mailed to you on the cheap. I hope you're happy. I hope you're satisfied. I hope you can sleep at night. Here's How To get your copy, at no charge to...
“Ethical Will” [Poem with video]
For years, I have taught workshops on writing ethical wills. I have drafted my own, but never felt finished. With this poem, I feel complete. This poem is my ethical will. A Jewish tradition, ethical wills pass ethical values to the next generation. In recent years,...
“The Fourth Turning” [Poem with video]
The Fourth Turning Who wouldn't jump on a plane To Monaco, Key West, and Spain? Hot cars! Fresh honey! The haves have money! Take a selfie! The Reichstag's a'flame! The title refers to The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy - What the Cycles of History Tell Us About...
“The Next Pandemic” [Poem with video]
After the text is a video with me reading the poem, followed by comments from poet Beth Weinstock. We met on May 31 for a Poetry Circle during which we read poems -- finished and unfinished -- to the other and then comment with encouragement and criticism. Here is the...