Category: Poetry

We said goodbye to the Japanese maples, pin oaks and pines that had grown tall. We bought some new furniture for this villa in Independent Living. We learned new names that were on the doors. In two years, three spouses have...

Last night it thundered and rough rain came over this dry city. Those in charge of the Zozobra event had to set flames early— now all woes are gone. There were gloom boxes everywhere to place your written worries in. They fuel...

for Lynn My backyard neighbor in New Orleans invited us to St. Joseph’s Feast in someone’s home. The altar in honor of the saint was laden with candles and food—pasta. fish, fig cookies, fruit, bread shaped like crosses and saws...

Who keeps all the shades down in her cottage, at this retirement center, the black car covered in dust and pollen. When was it last moved? I know she smokes because I saw an ash tray when I took her some flowers. That must be...

They are deep in thought, as they bend over brooms clearing corners and floors. Some have a tune in their head, some reflect on sorrow while others seem lost in this ancient chore. Hair now gray, stooped shoulders, bones that...

I This is no grief I have ever known. It is as if a child has drawn a wandering unbroken line through all the days I am still to live. II Before me, in the unsparing flat, “her wonderfully large dramatic rings.” Again the...

My whole dazed life I implored begged wailed for saints ecstatic gurus to awaken rescue instruct how to live teach me to write a psalm that knits pain into comfort shawl draft a map endow guide me from dark chasm walk me into...

This dawn I applaud I applaud sun’s rising warming my hair inviting my shadow to make her entrance for one more saunter on this blessed blue marble I applaud sun’s golden melody applaud the way she composes morning overture...

Dearest body I do not have a mind but I embrace holy litany of inexhaustible emotions they quick-step me through tragedy passion don’t have religion a Christ but I have you my sun I waltze you and together we enkindle burning...

from L’Allegria/Cheerfulness (Poems 1914-1919) by Guiseppi Ungaretti from Part 1, Ultime/Latest Notte Il cielo pone in capo aiminareti ghirlande di lumini   May Nights Heaven places on the heads of the minarets garlands of...

from L’Allegria/Cheerfulness (Poems 1914-1919) by Guiseppi Ungaretti from Part 1, Ultime/Latest Casa Mia Sorpressa dopo tanto d’un amore Credevo di averlo sparpagliato per il mondo   My Home Surprised after a while of my...

From L’Allegria/Cheerfulness (Poems 1914-1919) by Guiseppi Ungaretti from Part 1, Ultime/Latest Agonia Morire come le allodole assetate sul miraggio O come la quaglia passato il mare nei primi cespugli perche di volare non ha...