POEM: The Angel and the Eye of God

Posted 30 December, 2010 in Audio Poems, My poems, Poetry

Listen to this poem using the player above.

When I was in New York last week, I went to the American Folk Art Museum. One of the pieces that caught my eye was this woodcarving of Matthew the Evangelist by the artist John Perates. He was born in Greece but lived much of his life in Portland, Maine. I’m not a religious person, but I tried to capture what it might be like to create art while feeling divinely inspired. You can click the image to see a larger version.

The Angel and the Eye of God

John makes furniture –
finely cut cabinets,
stout and purposeful bedposts,
tables to hold a family.
He is seeking refuge in this city by the sea,
so much colder than his island home.

Alone in his workshop,
after the orders are shipped,
John puts down the patterns
and turns inward, carving
the wood in the shape of the Word.

He has seen the angel who points
to the eye of God. He has heard
the song of Matthew the Evangelist.
He is not afraid.

POEM: icicle

Posted 29 December, 2010 in Audio Poems, My poems, Poetry

Listen to this poem using the player above.

icicle

At first, one drop freezes, so small
you wouldn’t notice it. Then
another drop attaches itself to
the first, freezes. Over time,
slowly as regret, the icicle
forms, its weight pulling
the branch toward the
cold ground.
Eventually
the only
question
is which
will break
first,
branch
or
ice.

POEM: half

Posted 28 December, 2010 in Audio Poems, Family, My poems, Poetry

Listen to this poem using the player above.

Technically, my sister and I are half-siblings. But that’s only true in DNA terms. I wrote this poem for her as her Christmas present. The picture below is of us, just after I read it to her on Christmas morning. I love you, Sis.

half
(for my sister)

that word has no meaning
Watson and Crick might say half
but I love you completely
love isn’t based on a sequence
of nucleotides, on the order of
adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine
love has to account for history
has to factor in changing tables
and wide smiles in baby seats
remember when –
but of course you do, your memory
is better than mine
I’ve been away much longer
than we were together
I’ve missed too much of your life
I don’t know the stories
don’t recognize the names
if it weren’t for photographs
I’d remember even less
and yet you’ve never wavered
never had a harsh word
you’re what everyone hopes for
what I hope for
you’re a gift I’m still unwrapping
a mirror in which a better man is reflected

VIDEO POEM: maple leaf

Posted 28 December, 2010 in My poems, Poetry, Travel, Video Poems

I wrote this poem a couple years ago during a train trip from Albany, NY, to Rochester, NY. (The poem is in my book, Unexpected Sunlight.) I shot the video yesterday while traveling by train from New York City to Albany. As always, I like to acknowledge my debt to Dave Bonta for inspiring me to try my hand at video poems.

The Celtic Ripper

Posted 25 December, 2010 in Basketball, Random Musings, Sports

I got a high-end chef’s knife and a Bill Russell #6 Celtics jersey for Xmas. I will henceforward be known as The Celtic Ripper. Beware!

Click to enrippen.

Citizen Radio Live!

Posted 21 December, 2010 in Random Musings

I had such a great time tonight at the UCB Theater in New York watching Citizen Radio live. Here are the photos I took. I love this podcast and highly recommend it. I’m also a member, and I recommend that, too. You can learn more at wearecitizenradio.com.

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