Classroom
It was back in 1982 We had a guest in our theology and lit class Ten years older than me He’d come of age in the Sixties Allen Ginsberg had recently been in town Our…
Category: No Time for Poetry but Exactly What Is
Dear 1L
You’re sitting in Civ Pro— Looking like you’re paying attention Masking skillfully Your ho-hum ennui Let me remind you— In your deep heart’s core You can always visit Innisfree Or even chat with Crazy Jane
United States of Cars
for K. M. Schwartz Be cool in your car Make out in your car Drink tequila in your car Listen to Led Zeppelin cranked in your car Go from point A to point Z in your…
After Ginsberg’s “I Meditate”
I meditate to calm my rampaging mind I meditate to focus on clear image of you smiling in Tahoe I meditate on words (translated) of Wang Yang-ming I meditate to be able to be present…
Thesis 11, Still
One reader of an early draft of Dear Layla Welcome to Palestine Wrote me with characteristic candor: “Damn you! It fucking hurt to read this book And thank you! It was the final push I…
Training Exercise #1 for Urban Cultural Resistance
When driving Do a full stop (Three seconds) At each stop sign
What’s on My Mind …
for Wendy Lee How to relax How to listen to Gould’s recording of Bach’s Toccata in D Major How to observe like David Grossman How to stay open amid any outbreaks of intransigence How to make…
From Me to You
I know there is much on your mind School, bureaucracy, the future, etc. I want to offer you something I wouldn’t say this to just anyone (But maybe someone else Has already given you what…
Texting My Best Friend in Louisville
I: You attained full enlightenment yet? She: Yesterday morning.
A Pope (Opening Up the Imagination)
Given the visit this week of Pope Francis, I want to share a short chapter from my new novel, Dear Layla Welcome to Palestine. This chapter was originally written in 2010 during the pontificate of Benedict…