When I began crafting this poem, I fully intended to mimic the style of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “General Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales: “When that August with his beastly heat…” However, I found the set meter and rhyme too restricting for the random wanderings of a father and his young sons up and down the streamContinue reading “A Midsummer Afternoon’s Dream”
Author Archives: thedeepened
Remembering & Grappling with Loss
We found out this afternoon that our beloved neighbor passed away. On a day when we Americans remember the lives lost as a result of what took place on 9/11/01, the sudden loss of our neighbor reminded me of the fragility of life and the need to savor every interaction I have with those IContinue reading “Remembering & Grappling with Loss”
A Different Kind of Conscientious Objector
I do not want to detract from the following poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay through my own lengthy introduction. Only let me say, if you are unfamiliar with her work and worldview, I suggest you do a little research. You might start here. Let me clarify that I am NOT speaking of a militaryContinue reading “A Different Kind of Conscientious Objector”
Puppet or Kite?
Last Sunday, I started mulling over the phrase “marionette me.” I’ve always been impressed by the master marionettests who can bring puppets to life through the subtle, intentional movement of strings, operating unseen. I guess I’ve always appreciated puppets. I was raised on Sesame Street and, more importantly, The Muppet Show. I used to loveContinue reading “Puppet or Kite?”
At the End of Summer…An Invitation to LIVE!
And so it comes to a close… Another summer wraps up within the next ten hours for me. Tomorrow morning, I will rise in the dark of a new day, put on my dress clothes, perhaps even don a tie, and head back to the high school where I have served as an English teacherContinue reading “At the End of Summer…An Invitation to LIVE!”
Made for Life: Fleeing the Waiting Room of the Soul
I admit that I don’t handle myself nor others well when I’m frustrated, tired, or just haven’t taken some time to feed my soul. I feel guilty, honestly, when I take the time to sit down and write poetry, let alone create these posts, when I have six children, a wife, a job, and manyContinue reading “Made for Life: Fleeing the Waiting Room of the Soul”
Meditations: Vespers
The boys upstairs await my final call of “Lights out!” I’m camping out with them in their room this week while my wife and two children are away. They’d much rather read until I come to bed for a few moments of reading myself before nodding off, book in hand. The days begin to takeContinue reading “Meditations: Vespers”
Meditations: Lauds
I am out of rhythm. Summer always greets me with its welcoming arms of rest and renewal, but in the name of rest and renewal, I neglect some of the basic rhythms of life. I am not rising early. I’m not going to bed early enough to rise early. There’s little to structure my daysContinue reading “Meditations: Lauds”
Rejecting the Busyness of Life
At this moment, I am sitting on the back porch of our rental looking out over Lake Chautauqua as the sun sets. (I’ll include a photo at the end of the post.) My dearest love of 25 years sits by my side, quietly reading. WE HAVE ESCAPED! For four days and three nights we haveContinue reading “Rejecting the Busyness of Life”
Battling the Gorgons of Deceit & Fear
Just over a year ago, I intended to post this poem. Tonight, it felt fitting. How easily I allow deceit to choke my peace! How easily I simply give up, rather than fight on despite the odds, frustrations, or fears. It’s just easier to believe the lie or kneel to fear. The Greco-Roman myths, fullContinue reading “Battling the Gorgons of Deceit & Fear”
