• coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  poetry

    The gift of the poet…

    March 25, 2026

    a poet drinks from the
    well of the people, and
    then gives it back to
    them in a way that may
    help them understand
    themselves and the
    world even better

    Garcia Lorca

    Reading poetry is something new for me, coming in the latter stages of my life, and I must say enjoyable. I have found poetry that helps me understand myself and the world around me. I am drawn to poets who are connected to nature, creation and speak to me about their spiritual life. But there are poets I just do not understand. Yet, I know there are people who connect to them while not with the poets I connect with. I have come to agree with Lorca that in the short period of time I have been reading poetry I have come to believe that poets help us understand ourselves and the world better. I also believe that people can and need to drink from the well of the poet. I therefore see poets as a gift! 

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  • books,  poetry,  quotes

    A new foundation

    March 21, 2026

    Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. If this is to be achieved, mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

    Martin Luther King, Jr.

    We now teach that mankind has evolved physically and mentally. However, we have repeatedly proved we have not evolved as much in wisdom and maturity. For example, to solve human conflict with a method of love requires wisdom and maturity. And, without evolving in our wisdom and maturity we have shown conflict only adds to conflict. I do believe Dr. King is correct.

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  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journaling,  poems

    Hanging Around Friends

    May 14, 2025

    Something whispered something that was not even a word. It was more like silence that was understandable.

    Mary Oliver

    I’ve been struggling with health issues for the past 4 days. Primarily deep back pain that penetrates my chest. I’ve had about every test possible checking for blood clots, strokes, seizures, and any heart issues. I have many symptoms of pleurisy, but all the testing came back negative. So, I am taking six Tylenol a day and resting. I haven’t been to the natural areas, bicycling, or photography as much. However, I made it to Mugs for an Old Town mocha and gathered around friends this morning. Seems hanging around friends is good medicine. I’ve kept up with my journaling and been reading some new poetry. I hope all is well with you. And, thanks for listening to me whine.

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  • poetry

    To be nobody-but-yourself…

    March 31, 2025
    Self-portrait at Pineridge Natural Area

    A poet is somebody who feels, and who expresses his feelings through words.

    This may sound easy. It isn’t.

    A lot of people think or believe or know they feel — but that’s thinking or believing or knowing; not feeling. And poetry is feeling — not knowing or believing or thinking.

    Almost anybody can learn to think or believe or know, but not a single human being can be taught to feel. Why? Because whenever you think or you believe or you know, you’re a lot of other people: but the moment you feel, you’re nobody-but-yourself.

    To be nobody-but-yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

    E. E. Cummings
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  poetry,  quotes,  sunrises

    I believe…

    February 2, 2025
    Pineridge Natural Area – December 2020

    I have made it through some hard times in my life.
    I imagine you have too.

    Looking back, I can honestly say
    That in more than one of those times
    I was not sure I would make it.

    The presence of a living and conscious love
    Got me through.
    I can only call it Spirit.
    So my faith is not the product of an emotional need
    Or an intellectual imagining.

    I believe because I know. Because I have been there.
    Because of my experience.

    I cannot convince others of this truth.
    I can only share it and wait to see
    The light of memory in their eyes.

    Steven Charleston

    I believe in the presence of a living and conscious love
    because I, too, have been there and experienced it.

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  • fall season,  poetry,  reflections

    A Wonderful Start

    October 13, 2024

    bicycled to coffee shop, indulged in a hot tea
    wonderful start to Sunday or any day

    now mid morning and sitting on my porch
    circled by an almost cloudless blue sky

    the seasons leaves of gold and yellow and red
    reflected in the azure blue sky of the pond

    yes, a wonderful start to Sunday or any day

    mws
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