Ode to 2022 by Charles Schilling It gave us round three “2020 two”! It gave us more tension and more lessons too. More are dead in the streets, more bombs dropped overseas. Another trillion or so dollars spent and another broken family. Tell me friend, can you say, if your fears have been relieved? It’s …
Category: Inspirational People
Intersection of three passions
When a hummingbird buzzed near my ear, making my hair lift during my morning meditation in the desert, I had a feeling I might be in for a special day. I was correct. I joined ten other women at a trailhead outside of Tucson yesterday morning. We hiked our way to a beautiful destination, then …
Passing the Playground
I passed her on the playground I was once her Someday she’ll be me She was pushing a giggling girl in a fastened seat I watched Bouncing pig tails and kicking feet I smiled at her She smiled at me I wanted to pause my walk and tell her all I’ve learned along my motherly …
Poetry Outside (a special spotlight)
Poetry Outside by Linda Stecker i. Let there be poetry. Outside the fruit tree leaves are browning, struggling to live in the heat where I've neglected them. Inside I stay cool but I am struggling too; dehydrated, unconnected. ii. The birds only come to get their seeds. When the food is gone, so are they. …
How to Triumph like a Girl (a recitation)
https://videopress.com/v/XfwWSoPZ?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true On July 12, The Library of Congress named Ada Limón the 24th poet laureate of the U.S. Limón writes and teaches in Sonoma, California, where she is from. She also resides in Kentucky. Limón earned an MFA from New York University and is the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the New York …
A Simple Poem, A Simple Life
As a child I wanted things. As a teenager I had irreplaceable things stolen. As a young woman I acquired more and more things. I am no longer any of those things. I now give away things. I like the space created by giving away things. I gave away a classroom full of teacher things. …
A Sweet Love Story
My true story begins with a change in airplane seats… Before boarding a flight for Oregon last week, I was surprised to receive a text message indicating that my seat had changed from 8F to 4F. How odd, I thought, but at least I was moving up in the world. I boarded the plane and …
“Lifting the Fog” (a special spotlight)
Lifting the Fog by Charles Schilling Here I am. Here I lie. Here I stay, And here I’ll die Here I dwell Here I hold; Here I live Or so I am told. Here I think. Here I’ll call. Here I’ll stand, And here I’ll fall. Here in the quiet I can think. In this …
Vintage Strength
Fierce winds suddenly rise and threaten to destroy everything. She is stretched and tested by the pushing, pulling, howling, and screaming. The weathered door whistles and bends causing her to tremble and quake. Run She does not. Collapse She does not. Bravely, She braces the splintered door when gales whip and shake. Give up She …
Punk Scene and Desert Serene
This life is full of stressors that make us want to scream. I sort most of that out during my morning meditation that offers me peace and connection. But how much freer my mind would be if I could disturb the peace and add to my release with an unfiltered scream? How much more centered …