Don’t Judge Me
Dec 11
Poetry is cathartic. As such, much of the poetry I’ve written over the years relates to specific times and incidents that either made me happy, hurt my feelings, or generally sparked my interest in some way. I wrote the following poem back in the ’90′s when a friend of mine had hurt me terribly by judging a personal family issue I was having without knowing all of the facts....
Yusef Komunyakaa
Dec 06
A native of Bogalusa Louisiana, Yusef Komunyakaa won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1994 for his collection entitled Neon Vernacular. You can take a look at a preview of Neon Vernacular by clicking here. His poetry is like written literary jazz with a razor’s edge. I guess for some reason I feel closer to him through the bricks his father laboured over and his southern stylings. You...
Only in Kentucky
Nov 30
Now listen to a story about a town named Rabbit Hash. Nestled in a sleepy corner of Boone County Kentucky is the only place in America where the town mayor is a Border Collie named Lucy Lou. You see, back in 1998 the fine residents of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky didn’t take too kindly to the fellas running for the office of mayor in their corner of the bluegrass. As a joke, a local yokel...
The National Debt: I.O.U.S.A
Nov 07
Recently a friend of mine shared this 30 minute video from the new documentary out called I.O.U.S.A. I currently can’t speak to the quality of the whole feature film but I can say that the 30 minute excerpt that I viewed was not only interesting but a clearly crafted wake up call to America. This film really keeps the partisan posturing on the sidelines and discusses what I feel is the...
I am Santa
Oct 18
Back in 1999, my life was very different than it is today. I was single… I was teaching school… I was a foster parent. I don’t know where my foster child is now but she certainly taught me some valuable lessons and I am not just hopeful but certain that she learned some valuable lessons from me. My foster daughter had an extremely rough upbringing that included neglect and...
The Wizard of Oz: Economics
Oct 10
Wizard of Oz: You, my friend, are a victim of disorganized thinking. You are under the unfortunate impression that just because you run away you have no courage; you’re confusing courage with wisdom. Who says you can’t learn anything reading children’s literature? My friend Michelle sent me an article on this topic a few months ago and I just got around to reading it. ...
Not So Idle Hands: The Lamp of Poor Souls
Oct 04
Shine, little lamp, nor let thy light grow dim. Into what vast, dread dreams, what lonely lands, Into what griefs hath death delivered him, Far from my hands? Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall In English churches before the Protestant Reformation people prayed to the Lamp of Poor Souls in hopes of providing intercession for friends and loved ones who didn’t have the money to buy their way...
