Last year at this time, the profound horror, beauty, and absurdity of our world were on display in the photographs on The Guardian‘s “Best Photographs of the Day” page. This triptych of Photo Poems showcases the horror of a church bombing in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the beauty of fields of tulips in the … More Photo of the Day Poems – Post #12
Here’s the studio album produced back in 2012 by the now defunct Tate Music Group. Members of Treebeard Brown appear on both “Ballad of the Ideal Citizen” and “Noiselessly,” two of my favorite tracks on the album. “Song of the Broken Man” appeared on the indie radio show Under the Radar with other great indie … More At the In Between
During this time of online learning for my students, I came across this poem in the final unit for my AP English Literature & Composition course. The unit focuses on the use of figurative language: simile, metaphor, and personification. Little did the creators of the course know that this poem would be so timely! It’s … More David Hernandez’s “Happiness Epidemic”
These three poems from my collection of last year’s The Guardian Photo Poems are some of my favorites. Though none of these poems really showcases a set form, structurally, they are two stanza poems that draw inspiration from a set of images that defy a set form in themselves, but provide stunning juxtapositions: surfers at … More Photo of the Day Poems – Post #11
When I began researching to write “Leo,” the idea of hiding behind lies emerged primarily from the version that ties Leo to the lion Hercules had to kill as one of the Twelve Labors. Although the Pyramus and Thisbe story, the fertile ground for one Romeo and Juliet, had its merits, the idea of a … More “Leo”
Echoing my earlier post, “Perspective” (3/22/20), these three poems from my collection of last year’s The Guardian Photo Poems presents compositions that explore the idea of perspective inspired by a parachutist over Turkey, decaying monuments in Virginia, and a pre-dawn sky over Dunstanburgh Castle, UK. (All poems by Vincent H. Anastasi) Mersin, Turkey (4/8/2019)Photograph: Serkan … More Photo of the Day Poems – Post #10
My wife came across this gem by Mary Oliver, who died just a little over a year ago. I first encountered Oliver’s work in “The Black Walnut Tree” as a free response question on the AP English Literature exam. Since then, I’ve been starving for more Oliver! This piece is just what the doctor ordered … More Mary Oliver’s “A Dream of Trees”
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore Last night, I pulled a book off the shelf to read to my youngest two boys before bed, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce. I came across the book years ago, and I have always appreciated both the art and the message. … More Prescriptions for the Quiet
It’s late and I’m inspired! Here’s a still active link to a joint musical venture with my good friend and writing brother, James Witmer. (If you have children and enjoy Beatrix Potter and Thornton Burgess, you need to get his book! Go to his webpage; I’ve linked it for you! You can thank me later.) … More Chest Full of Straw EP
After being contacted by a Salvation Army captain a few month ago seeking permission to use our version of the William Booth song “Boundless Salvation” in a podcast, I rediscovered the Bandcamp page my sons and I developed back when we were performing more regularly. Now, eight years later, simply follow this link (full EP) … More Full Fathom Five EP
the deepening ground 