v. anastasi
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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.)…
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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)…
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It’s hard to believe that these poems come from just a year ago. For me, they represent another moment to pause, to carve out a few quiet moments to deepen in the midst of these full days. This selection of The Guardian Photo Poems presents compositions inspired by my soul animal (a hawk) in Moscow,…
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Week eight of The Guardian Photo Poems presents poems inspired by a sobering picture of shoes filled with shattered glass in Tel Aviv, a tethered nomadic infant from Turkey, and the beautiful juxtaposition of nature and architecture at Alnwick Castle in England! The first poem alludes to Dudley Randall’s “Ballad of Birmingham.” I’d strongly recommend…
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Deep within me there’s a longing for a rest and peace – a sabbath, if you will – that everything in life seems diametrically opposed to me ever finding. “Canis Major” addresses the life of the endless pursuit. According to the myth, Laelaps, the fastest dog in the world, was destined to catch anything it…
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Another round of The Guardian Photo Poems, week seven! This week’s highlights from last year’s photo inspired poems include the fantastic juxtaposition of towering steel wind turbine and an old ship in sails, fog over the Guangji Bridge in China, and a hot air balloon near the Pyramid of the Sun on the vernal equinox.…
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Times like this call for perspective. The following poem written back in 2017 inspired by a reverie with the desktop wallpaper on my iMac came back to mind this morning as I listened to different perspectives on these days, days brimming with fear, distancing, and uncertainty. When all the noise around me grows so loud…
the deepening ground 