Spring-Watching Pavilion by Hồ Xuân Hương
A gentle spring evening arrives Airily, unclouded by worldly dust. Three times the bell tolls echoes like a wave. We see heaven upside-down in sad puddles. Love’s vast sea cannot be emptied. And springs of…
Sitting Idle at the North Window by Po Chü-i
The window empty: two thickets of bamboo. The house tranquil: a single fragrant stove. Beyond the gate, it’s red dust everywhere, and in the city, that white sun hurries on, but I don’t chase after…
Dear Monseñor
Last week in Writing to Wake Up, a topic proposed was: “Write a letter to someone (in)famous in history, someone really dastardly, or someone really inspiring.” Dear Monseñor You were right You were/are resurrected…
The One Contains the All
There are pictures that stay in the memory as if carved with a fine chisel. Of the thousands of demolished homes I remember one house in Silwad. Of the hundreds of torture victims I see…
Checkpoint/3 (Life under Occupation/5)
The following is adapted from IDF soldier, Liran Ron Furer, Checkpoint Syndrome I ran toward them and punched an Arab right in the face I’d never punched anyone that way He collapsed on the road…
Daydream/1 (Jesus/1 [Touching a Nerve/2])
A man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher of goodness, teach me something that you know and I do not, that benefits me and does you no harm.” Jesus asked, “What would that be?” The…
Litany/2 (¡Presente!)
The following was near the end in the original version of The Book of Mev. Ignacio Ellacuría, engaged intellectual, credible witness, Fearless announcer of God’s Kingdom . . . ¡Presente! Ordinary eco-friendly folk, hallowers of…
If Only It Were So
6 North Coffee Corner of Sarah and Laclede Coming in from a windy day Sitting in a booth Magan Wiles across from me Our eyes meet The wheels start turning The words come tumbling
Share the Wealth with Mark Chmiel: The Poetry of Denise Levertov
For friends in town over Thanksgiving holiday, join us on Sunday 25 November for a potluck supper and my sharing on Denise Levertov—British-born American, activist, disturber of the peace, whose poetry from the 1960s to…
Theatre!
Friday night, I sent the following message to Katie Consamus: Isn’t acting one of the most demanding practices you could ever imagine?! Do you ever stand back in awe at what you all do? Do…