![\"Holding](\"https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/olfoSxre.jpeg\")
This Be The Verse
\nBY PHILIP LARKIN
They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
\n They may not mean to, but they do.
\nThey fill you with the faults they had
\n And add some extra, just for you.
But they were fucked up in their turn
\n By fools in old-style hats and coats,
\nWho half the time were soppy-stern
\n And half at one another’s throats.
Man hands on misery to man.
\n It deepens like a coastal shelf.
\nGet out as early as you can,
\n And don’t have any kids yourself.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Tyler Mathis.
","summary":"I’m joined by my friend Tyler Mathis who reads Philip Larkin’s poem “This Be The Verse.” We discuss the trauma passed down from generation to generation and ways that we are dealing with it and hopefully breaking the chain.","date_published":"2024-04-25T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/0011480e-491e-48af-a71c-a3b642fc172e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":52189579,"duration_in_seconds":3261}]},{"id":"79596a19-705f-48a4-93d0-8c99ea62795d","title":"Episode 28: Wild Geese by Mary Oliver","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/28","content_text":"I'd love to hear any thoughts about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nWILD GEESE\nby Mary Oliver\n\nYou do not have to be good.\nYou do not have to walk on your knees\nFor a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.\nYou only have to let the soft animal of your body\nlove what it loves.\nTell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.\nMeanwhile the world goes on.\nMeanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain\nare moving across the landscapes,\nover the prairies and the deep trees,\nthe mountains and the rivers.\nMeanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,\nare heading home again.\nWhoever you are, no matter how lonely,\nthe world offers itself to your imagination,\ncalls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —\nover and over announcing your place\nin the family of things.\n\n\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\nSpecial Guest: Josh Baron.","content_html":"I'd love to hear any thoughts about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nWILD GEESE
\nby Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
\nYou do not have to walk on your knees
\nFor a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
\nYou only have to let the soft animal of your body
\nlove what it loves.
\nTell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
\nMeanwhile the world goes on.
\nMeanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
\nare moving across the landscapes,
\nover the prairies and the deep trees,
\nthe mountains and the rivers.
\nMeanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
\nare heading home again.
\nWhoever you are, no matter how lonely,
\nthe world offers itself to your imagination,
\ncalls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
\nover and over announcing your place
\nin the family of things.
My first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Josh Baron.
","summary":"I’m joined again by Josh Baron and we read Mary Oliver’s poem, Wild Geese, and discuss the idea that “we do not have to be good.”","date_published":"2024-04-12T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/79596a19-705f-48a4-93d0-8c99ea62795d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":58000260,"duration_in_seconds":3625}]},{"id":"d931bbb2-236e-4226-b2a1-c8a1473f222a","title":"Episode 27: The Capacity of Your Tears","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/27","content_text":"We can't do it all alone. Sometimes, we need to reach out for help and that's not always easy. In fact, in my experience, it's rarely easy. In this episode, I discuss three obstacles that get in my way of asking for help.\n\n\n\nThe Capacity of Your Tears\n\nHow many mornings\nAre filled with desperate tears\nThat never sound\nIn another's ears because \nYou feel they are\nHopeless\nAnd only serve to ease \nYour pain for the coming day:\nSo why worry others when \nThe tears will come again\nRegardless?\n\nBut how many mornings \nBefore your pain exceeds \nThe capacity of your tears?\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\n","content_html":"We can't do it all alone. Sometimes, we need to reach out for help and that's not always easy. In fact, in my experience, it's rarely easy. In this episode, I discuss three obstacles that get in my way of asking for help.
\n\nThe Capacity of Your Tears
\n\nHow many mornings
\nAre filled with desperate tears
\nThat never sound
\nIn another's ears because
\nYou feel they are
\nHopeless
\nAnd only serve to ease
\nYour pain for the coming day:
\nSo why worry others when
\nThe tears will come again
\nRegardless?
But how many mornings
\nBefore your pain exceeds
\nThe capacity of your tears?
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Yes,
\nYou will rise from the ashes,
\nBut the burning comes first.
For this part,
\nDarling,
\nYou must be brave.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
TERRIBLE POTENTIAL
\n\nI see it now
\nFor years I only sensed it
\nOr saw the dissipating dust tails of its approach
\nBut it filled me with terror
\nAnd there was no cover or protection
\nSo I ran
\nAs fast as my child stride could take me
\nNot even knowing what it was –
\nOnly that it was coming
\nBut that made the fear so much more
\nIn my little mind
\nSo I ran harder
\nUntil I forgot why I was running –
\nOnly knowing that I couldn’t stop
But I see it now
\nIts shape is fluid and undefined
\nAnd its terrible potential fills my mind
\nI want to keep running – retreating
\nBut it won’t stop and
\nIt’s closing the gap and
\nIt’s more terrible than I ever thought
\nBut its real – I see it now
\nAnd I know
\n There’s no escape, there never was.
\nBut I want to keep running anyway
\nUntil it overtakes me
\nI won’t see it coming; it will just happen and be done
\nBut my insufficient legs refuse to carry me anymore
\nSo I prostrate myself as an offering
I know you’re coming, I whisper,
\nAnd I offer myself willingly
This is not defeat, I reassure myself
\nThen lower my eyes
\nAnd brace for its fury
But my mind keeps moving – defiantly
\nIt knows truths that my body forgot
\nAnd reminds me:
You were born with claws
\nAnd they’re with you still –
And I remember and feel them
\nThey are deep, but I feel them and they are there
\nSo, I raise my body from the dirt and
\nMy eyes to the distance
\nIt is closer now – the gap disappearing
\nBut not my fear. My fear is growing
\n(broadcast loudly by my beating heart)
\nBut I no longer want to run
\nNor offer myself willingly
\nInstead, I watch it come and I wait – in fear, true
\nBut I wait to receive it
\nAnd I steady myself.
I have claws and I feel them
\nAnd I will meet it face to face
\nI have terrible potential too
\nI feel it now.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
My daughter Ruby and I were the only ones home, so I decided to record an episode of The Poet (delayed) with her. We talked about her track and field season that just finished up, softball, boys, poetry, music, flying fish and boys.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Ruby Edgar.
","summary":"My daughter Ruby and I were the only ones home, so I decided to record an episode of The Poet (delayed) with her. We talked about her track and field season that just finished up, softball, boys, poetry, music, flying fish and boys. ","date_published":"2023-05-08T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/c5ef536a-66ee-45ab-a742-a40b50a8303c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36888082,"duration_in_seconds":2199}]},{"id":"ee239dc2-a6e6-4183-8e3f-57f65c8149dd","title":"Episode 23: “…the catching of my whole heart”","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/23","content_text":"My friend and poet, Kelli Stephens joined me and she read her unnamed poem from which I grabbed the title of this episode, “…the catching of my whole heart.” We discussed healing, religion, leaving religion, finding yourself and finding peace in your sovereignty and much, much more.\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\n\n\n\n\n[Cover Image from Unsplash.com by Mohamed Nohassi ](Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash ) \n\nInstagram: @mnohassiSpecial Guest: Kelli Stephens.","content_html":"My friend and poet, Kelli Stephens joined me and she read her unnamed poem from which I grabbed the title of this episode, “…the catching of my whole heart.” We discussed healing, religion, leaving religion, finding yourself and finding peace in your sovereignty and much, much more.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
[Cover Image from Unsplash.com by Mohamed Nohassi ](Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash )
\n\nInstagram: @mnohassi
Special Guest: Kelli Stephens.
","summary":"I was joined by my friend and poet, Kelli Stephens and she read her unnamed poem from which I grabbed the title of this episode, “…the catching of my whole heart.” We discussed healing, religion, leaving religion, finding yourself and finding peace in your sovereignty and much, much more.","date_published":"2023-05-03T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/ee239dc2-a6e6-4183-8e3f-57f65c8149dd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":96345478,"duration_in_seconds":5915}]},{"id":"78d369ea-69a9-4987-a4dc-4c403e25521f","title":"Episode 22: Meaningful Life","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/22","content_text":"I was joined by neuropsychologist Ben Christiansen in episode 22 of The Poet (delayed). We read my haiku, Meaningful Life and discussed what a meaningful life consists of and how we can work towards one. Hint: it involves math…well, equations at least.\n\nMeaningful Life\n\nHaving fame and wealth\nBrings no true, lasting meaning\nSuch is found within\n\n\n\nConcussion Baseline\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\nSpecial Guest: Ben Christiansen.Links:Concussion Baseline","content_html":"I was joined by neuropsychologist Ben Christiansen in episode 22 of The Poet (delayed). We read my haiku, Meaningful Life and discussed what a meaningful life consists of and how we can work towards one. Hint: it involves math…well, equations at least.
\n\nMeaningful Life
\n\nHaving fame and wealth
\nBrings no true, lasting meaning
\nSuch is found within
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Ben Christiansen.
Links:
","summary":"I was joined by neuropsychologist Ben Christiansen in episode 22 of The Poet (delayed). We read my haiku, Meaningful Life and discussed what a meaningful life consists of and how we can work towards one. Hint: it involves math…well, equations at least.","date_published":"2023-04-11T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/78d369ea-69a9-4987-a4dc-4c403e25521f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37852113,"duration_in_seconds":6308}]},{"id":"4990e572-173b-408a-83ad-d54f4ff8e125","title":"Episode 21: Comprehend Yourself","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/21","content_text":"In the summer of 1991, I nearly drown at Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber City, Utah. My poem, Comprehend Yourself, is a summary of that event, and in this episode of The Poet (delayed), Mechelle Wingle and I discuss that poem and its meaning and meanings.\n\nCOMPREHEND YOURSELF\n\nI know,\nAs I floated above a watery grave -\nalone and exhausted,\nWith no one aware and\nNo strength to deliver myself\nThat despite your worlds without number\nWith their countless inhabitants,\nYou knew\nAnd delivered me.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\n\n\n\n\nCover Photo/header by Photo of the boy in the water by Noah Buscher on UnsplashSpecial Guest: Mechelle Wingle.","content_html":"In the summer of 1991, I nearly drown at Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber City, Utah. My poem, Comprehend Yourself, is a summary of that event, and in this episode of The Poet (delayed), Mechelle Wingle and I discuss that poem and its meaning and meanings.
\n\nCOMPREHEND YOURSELF
\n\nI know,
\nAs I floated above a watery grave -
\nalone and exhausted,
\nWith no one aware and
\nNo strength to deliver myself
\nThat despite your worlds without number
\nWith their countless inhabitants,
\nYou knew
\nAnd delivered me.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Cover Photo/header by Photo of the boy in the water by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
Special Guest: Mechelle Wingle.
","summary":"In the summer of 1991, I nearly drown at Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber City, Utah. My poem, Comprehend Yourself, is a summary of that event, and in this episode of The Poet (delayed), Mechelle Wingle and I discuss that poem and its meaning and meanings.","date_published":"2023-04-07T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/4990e572-173b-408a-83ad-d54f4ff8e125.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":95328525,"duration_in_seconds":5958}]},{"id":"c069cc8b-bcc0-4990-92b9-c43c566635a9","title":"Episode 20: They Were Beacons Once","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/20","content_text":"THEY WERE BEACONS ONCE\n\nThey are out there.\nYou know them by their void,\nTheir masks of nothingness.\nBut they are something and voracious –\nConsuming, in large amounts,\nEverything\nCompletely\nTheir prey rage in vain\nThen submit in silence;\nNo distress signals sent –\nEven sound is consumed (and light)\nIn their dark bellies.\nBut they were beacons once\nAnd they shined.\n\nAddiction can be so consuming that it turns shining people into metaphorical black holes. It has the power, with drugs and alcohol, at least, to destroy people so completely that we eventually \"know them by their void,/their masks of nothingness.\"\n\nThoreau wrote: “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” This profound statement has its application in the struggle with addiction. In order to effectively take one’s life back, it is important to understand what addiction is and what it’s primary causes are so that we can strike at its root rather than just hacking at its branches.\n\nHungarian-Canadian physician, Gabor Maté defined addiction as follows:\n\n\"Any behavior that a person finds relief in and therefore craves in the short-term, but suffers negative consequences in the long-term and doesn't give up despite the negative consequences.\"\n\nImportantly, Dr. Maté also explains that addiction is not a moral failure or an indication of weakness. “Addiction is not the primary problem. It’s an attempt to solve a problem.” \n\nIn this episode of The Poet (delayed), I'm joined by Las Vegas based therapist, Brad Singletary as we read my poem, \"They Were Beacons Once,\" and have a discussion about addiction, its cause and recovery.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nAmazon.com\n\nSpecial Guest: Brad Singletary, LCSW.Links:Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong by Johann Hari — The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.How Childhood Trauma Leads to Addiction by Gabor Mate — Addiction: Any behavior that a person finds relief and therefore craves in the short-term, but suffers negative consequences in the long-term and doesn't give up despite the negative consequences.Gabor Mate Discusses Addiction, including the cause and approaches to recovery — \"Addiction is not a choice that anybody makes; it's not a moral failure; it's not an ethical lapse; it's not a weakness of character; it's not a failure of will, which is how our society depicts addiction nor is it an inherited brain disease, which is how the medical tendency is to see it but what it actually is is it's a response to human suffering.\"The Alpha Quorum — Brad Singletary and I discussed this men's group he started during this episode of The Poet (delayed)Faces of Addiction","content_html":"THEY WERE BEACONS ONCE
\n\nThey are out there.
\nYou know them by their void,
\nTheir masks of nothingness.
\nBut they are something and voracious –
\nConsuming, in large amounts,
\nEverything
\nCompletely
\nTheir prey rage in vain
\nThen submit in silence;
\nNo distress signals sent –
\nEven sound is consumed (and light)
\nIn their dark bellies.
\nBut they were beacons once
\nAnd they shined.
Addiction can be so consuming that it turns shining people into metaphorical black holes. It has the power, with drugs and alcohol, at least, to destroy people so completely that we eventually "know them by their void,/their masks of nothingness."
\n\nThoreau wrote: “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” This profound statement has its application in the struggle with addiction. In order to effectively take one’s life back, it is important to understand what addiction is and what it’s primary causes are so that we can strike at its root rather than just hacking at its branches.
\n\nHungarian-Canadian physician, Gabor Maté defined addiction as follows:
\n\n"Any behavior that a person finds relief in and therefore craves in the short-term, but suffers negative consequences in the long-term and doesn't give up despite the negative consequences."
\n\nImportantly, Dr. Maté also explains that addiction is not a moral failure or an indication of weakness. “Addiction is not the primary problem. It’s an attempt to solve a problem.”
\n\nIn this episode of The Poet (delayed), I'm joined by Las Vegas based therapist, Brad Singletary as we read my poem, "They Were Beacons Once," and have a discussion about addiction, its cause and recovery.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Brad Singletary, LCSW.
Links:
It’s safe to assume that we all suffer from bouts of depression at times. As Neil Diamond sang:
\n\nSong sung blue
\nEverybody knows one
Song sung blue
\nEvery garden grows one.
Me and you are subject to
\nThe blues now and then
"Song Sung Blue," Neil Diamond
\n\nAnd, while more often than not, most of us have been able to take Neil’s advice to “take the blues and make a song [and] sing them out again,” whether metaphorically or literally, some of us have suffered or are suffering through depression so deep and encompassing that song is unable to penetrate and the desire to even sing a song is, at best, like a drop of water on a hot skillet, and, at worst, a stomach turning, repulsive thought, and that is a scary and dangerous place to be. In those times, it’s especially vital that we are able to notice the signs in ourselves and others and then reach out for help or reach out to help, respectively. Because, in those times, we can lose the ability to lift ourselves up. We lose the ability to put a smile on our face. We lose the ability to have an attitude of gratitude. And so, we need to be lifted up, and we need to lift up. In the words of Townes Van Zandt:
\n\nIf I needed you
\nWould you come to me?
\nWould you come to me?
\nAnd ease my pain?
If you needed me
\nI would come to you
\nI would swim the seas
\nFor to ease you pain
If I Needed You, Townes Van Zandt
\n\nIn this episode, Jackie Pack and I discuss depression, situational and clinical (major depressive disorder) including what differentiates them. We discuss ways that we can help ourselves and each other as we pass through those days, weeks, months or years when we feel hopelessness covering us.
\n\n"He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" by Neil Diamond
\n\n"If I Needed You" by Townes Van Zandt
\n\nDark Canopy
\n\nHopelessness covers me:
\nLike a forest canopy
\nOn a moonless night
\n It covers me.
\nI see no way or path
\nTo deliver myself.
\nAnd the darkness:
\nIt fills my eyes.
\nAnd they are unable to see
\nThe torchlight
\nOf rescuers who may approach.
\nAll is black and dead.
\nEvery gleam is only a phantom.
\nAnd the only variations in light
\nAre darker shadows
\nWaiting to finish me off
\n For good.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nMy first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is availabe for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\n
Special Guest: Jackie Pack, LCSW, CSAT-S, CMAT.
","summary":"In this episode, I’m joined again by Jackie Pack as I read my poem Dark Canopy and we discuss depression.","date_published":"2023-02-27T05:00:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/0c85ea8d-251b-456a-a0ce-ff124a219188.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":96268165,"duration_in_seconds":6016}]},{"id":"ba459d39-a1a4-441d-be6a-f3ee98fcbfbc","title":"Episode 18: I'm a Poet","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/18","content_text":"I've come to believe that those works of literature and poetry that have stood the test of time have more to offer those seeking a meaningful life than all the self help books in the world. They have the ability to bypass the protective walls that so many of us build around our gentle, scared and vulnerable hearts - those walls that stand firm and umoveable in the face of seeming frontal assaults by the well meaning self help books (which, tellingly, often reference those works to make their point). This is so, it seems, because they speak to us through stories and myths that set themselves in our hearts and minds - ready for recall when we are ready to learn, much like Christ's reason for teaching in parables: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. \n\nAlso, I believe that the reason these great works of literature and poetry persist is because they were inspired by and deal with the human condition - the basics of which remain constant as evidenced by the fact that the adventures of Odysseus still permeate our culture, whether in print, on stage or on film (\"O, Brother Where are Thou?\" - classic) more than 2,500 years after Homer handed them down. \"The Odyssey\" and \"The Illiad\" persist because the same passions that ran through the veins of Homer run through ours and, more importantly, he, like the great writers throughout history, had the gift to genuinely infuse that passion into his stories and characters. (\"East of Eden\" in my hands or probably in most hands, for instance, wouldn't have even found a publisher, but in Steinbeck's hands, we were given as powerful a story/lesson as I've ever read.) So, we feel their pain with defeat and their joy with victory. We relate when they stumble and fall from grace, and as a result, we don't feel so alone in our brokenness. \n\nThe same can be said for the enduring stories, poems and mythologies of all cultures: they endure because they resonate with our humanity and they remind us what it means to be human. And then, when we are ready, we can find in them comfort or learning or both as has so many people before us.\n\nIn episode 18 of The Poet (delayed), read my poem, \"I'm a Poet\" and I am joined by Salt Lake City based author, poet, editor and my new friend, Jennifer Adams. I read my poem, \"I'm a Poet,\" and Jen and I discuss the power of literature and poetry as well as her newest of book, \"All's Right With the World,\" inspired by Robert Browning's poem, Pippa's Song, which will be released March 7, 2023. It can be pre-purchased at\n\nThe King's English Bookshop\n\nand\n\nBarnes and Noble\n\n\n\nI'M A POET\n\nI'm a wordsmith.\nWielding my Montblanc hammer\nOn my Moleskine anvil.\nI shape words and forge them together.\nQuenching them in my inky oil to temper them.\nTo make them hard for breaking souls.\n\nI'm a word weaver.\nWeaving on my parchment loom, \nI guide the weft threads of metaphors \nThrough taut warp threads of nouns and verbs.\nResulting in a strong, velvety weave\nFor binding up broken souls.\n\nI'm a painter.\nMy palette is full of words for mixing:\nSome fresh and liquid, some dry and hard.\nAt times I work them smooth and technical \n (Vermeer in verse).\nOther times raw and passionate\n (Van Gogh in verse)\nEach painting with an Abrahamic number of interpretations.\n\nI'm a wordsmith\nI'm a weaver\nI'm a painter\nI'm a poet.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, my first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps is available for purchase at \n\nAmazon.com\n\nand \n\nThe King's English BookshopSpecial Guest: Jennifer Adams.","content_html":"I've come to believe that those works of literature and poetry that have stood the test of time have more to offer those seeking a meaningful life than all the self help books in the world. They have the ability to bypass the protective walls that so many of us build around our gentle, scared and vulnerable hearts - those walls that stand firm and umoveable in the face of seeming frontal assaults by the well meaning self help books (which, tellingly, often reference those works to make their point). This is so, it seems, because they speak to us through stories and myths that set themselves in our hearts and minds - ready for recall when we are ready to learn, much like Christ's reason for teaching in parables: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
\n\nAlso, I believe that the reason these great works of literature and poetry persist is because they were inspired by and deal with the human condition - the basics of which remain constant as evidenced by the fact that the adventures of Odysseus still permeate our culture, whether in print, on stage or on film ("O, Brother Where are Thou?" - classic) more than 2,500 years after Homer handed them down. "The Odyssey" and "The Illiad" persist because the same passions that ran through the veins of Homer run through ours and, more importantly, he, like the great writers throughout history, had the gift to genuinely infuse that passion into his stories and characters. ("East of Eden" in my hands or probably in most hands, for instance, wouldn't have even found a publisher, but in Steinbeck's hands, we were given as powerful a story/lesson as I've ever read.) So, we feel their pain with defeat and their joy with victory. We relate when they stumble and fall from grace, and as a result, we don't feel so alone in our brokenness.
\n\nThe same can be said for the enduring stories, poems and mythologies of all cultures: they endure because they resonate with our humanity and they remind us what it means to be human. And then, when we are ready, we can find in them comfort or learning or both as has so many people before us.
\n\nIn episode 18 of The Poet (delayed), read my poem, "I'm a Poet" and I am joined by Salt Lake City based author, poet, editor and my new friend, Jennifer Adams. I read my poem, "I'm a Poet," and Jen and I discuss the power of literature and poetry as well as her newest of book, "All's Right With the World," inspired by Robert Browning's poem, Pippa's Song, which will be released March 7, 2023. It can be pre-purchased at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\n\n\nI'M A POET
\n\nI'm a wordsmith.
\nWielding my Montblanc hammer
\nOn my Moleskine anvil.
\nI shape words and forge them together.
\nQuenching them in my inky oil to temper them.
\nTo make them hard for breaking souls.
I'm a word weaver.
\nWeaving on my parchment loom,
\nI guide the weft threads of metaphors
\nThrough taut warp threads of nouns and verbs.
\nResulting in a strong, velvety weave
\nFor binding up broken souls.
I'm a painter.
\nMy palette is full of words for mixing:
\nSome fresh and liquid, some dry and hard.
\nAt times I work them smooth and technical
\n (Vermeer in verse).
\nOther times raw and passionate
\n (Van Gogh in verse)
\nEach painting with an Abrahamic number of interpretations.
I'm a wordsmith
\nI'm a weaver
\nI'm a painter
\nI'm a poet.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, my first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps is available for purchase at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\nSpecial Guest: Jennifer Adams.
","summary":"I’m joined this episode by Salt Lake City based author, poet, editor and my new friend, Jennifer Adams. I read my poem, “I’m a Poet,” and we discuss the power of literature and poetry and then talk to her about her new children’s book, All’s Right With the World, that comes out March 7, 2023.","date_published":"2023-02-20T05:00:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/ba459d39-a1a4-441d-be6a-f3ee98fcbfbc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":68063196,"duration_in_seconds":3439}]},{"id":"bb237dd2-3d9c-4a04-a9cd-9ab1f877a21f","title":"Episode 17: She is Steady and She Waits","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/17","content_text":"On April 11, 1984, my family moved to Bountiful, Utah from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. My mom had just passed away a few days earlier. One of the first orders of business when we got to Bountiful, was to enroll me and my siblings in school. I was enrolled at Hannah Holbrook Elementary School for the last couple of months of 4th grade, and was assigned to Ms. Boulton’s class. I don’t remember much from those couple of months nor do I really remember meeting anyone at the time other than a few friends who lived close to my house, John Mayer, for instance – but not that John Mayer. But in my class was a girl named Allison Coombs (now Spencer). We didn’t spend time together or hang out per se. In fact, I don’t have any memories of her. But last June, she friended me on Facebook and I knew her name and I knew her face immediately. She’s told me since that she doesn’t have any memories of me either – I was just the boy who came and went. In the months since, she has commented on a few of my posts and has been very kind and encouraging to me about my poetry and my podcast. And I’ve learned a few things about her as we’ve reconnected a friendship neither of us remembered having. \n\nAmong the things I’ve learned is that in November 2021, Allison was diagnosed with Stage 2 Unfavorable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. (By the way, “unfavorable”? Who comes up with these terms, soccer match announcers? - “That was unlucky!”) But as terrifying as that was, she rose up to battle and, with the help of family, friends and competent medical providers, she waged battle as a head shorn warrior and the cancer is now in remission.\n\nAnd now, nearly 39 years after we became (apparently) forgettable classmates, Allison joined me on The Poet (delayed) to discuss the topic of “truth” and ways in which her experience with cancer has shaped the lens through which she sees the world.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, my first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is available at: \n\nAmazon.com\n\nThe Kings English BookshopSpecial Guest: Allison Spencer.","content_html":"On April 11, 1984, my family moved to Bountiful, Utah from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. My mom had just passed away a few days earlier. One of the first orders of business when we got to Bountiful, was to enroll me and my siblings in school. I was enrolled at Hannah Holbrook Elementary School for the last couple of months of 4th grade, and was assigned to Ms. Boulton’s class. I don’t remember much from those couple of months nor do I really remember meeting anyone at the time other than a few friends who lived close to my house, John Mayer, for instance – but not that John Mayer. But in my class was a girl named Allison Coombs (now Spencer). We didn’t spend time together or hang out per se. In fact, I don’t have any memories of her. But last June, she friended me on Facebook and I knew her name and I knew her face immediately. She’s told me since that she doesn’t have any memories of me either – I was just the boy who came and went. In the months since, she has commented on a few of my posts and has been very kind and encouraging to me about my poetry and my podcast. And I’ve learned a few things about her as we’ve reconnected a friendship neither of us remembered having.
\n\nAmong the things I’ve learned is that in November 2021, Allison was diagnosed with Stage 2 Unfavorable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. (By the way, “unfavorable”? Who comes up with these terms, soccer match announcers? - “That was unlucky!”) But as terrifying as that was, she rose up to battle and, with the help of family, friends and competent medical providers, she waged battle as a head shorn warrior and the cancer is now in remission.
\n\nAnd now, nearly 39 years after we became (apparently) forgettable classmates, Allison joined me on The Poet (delayed) to discuss the topic of “truth” and ways in which her experience with cancer has shaped the lens through which she sees the world.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, my first book of poetry, My Mother Sleeps, is available at:
\n\n\n\nSpecial Guest: Allison Spencer.
","summary":"I was joined by Allison Spencer as we read and discussed my poem, She is Steady and She Waits. Allison was diagnosed with Stage 2 Unfavorable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. (By the way, “unfavorable”? Who comes up with these terms, soccer match announcers? - “That was unlucky!”) But as terrifying as that was, she rose up to battle and, with the help of family, friends and competent medical providers, she waged battle as a head shorn warrior and the cancer is now in remission.","date_published":"2023-01-23T05:00:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/bb237dd2-3d9c-4a04-a9cd-9ab1f877a21f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":73216423,"duration_in_seconds":3634}]},{"id":"0995fb04-bc3f-4fec-9ee1-42cd685e0ef2","title":"Episode 16: Nirvana","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/16","content_text":"Nirvana\n\nI crave silence - clear and still,\nAnd darkness too.\nSo complete\nMy body melds with it\nErasing the line where\nDarkness ends and I begin.\nI crave nothingness.\n\n\n\nI was joined by Monte Wingle as I read my poem, Nirvana, and we discussed thoughts and ideas that came. Also, in the spirit of craving nothingness, we visited True Rest Float Spa to experience their float tank and see how close we could get to nothingness.\n\nTrue REST Draper\n\nCover photo by: Lenka Sluneckova\n\nMusic: Prelude 2, by Max Richter \n\nUSA National Suicide Hotline (voice and text): 988\nUK Suicide Hotline: 08006895652\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published my first book of poetry which is available at the following place:\n\nAmazon.com\n\nThe Kings English Book ShopSpecial Guest: Monte Wingle.","content_html":"Nirvana
\n\nI crave silence - clear and still,
\nAnd darkness too.
\nSo complete
\nMy body melds with it
\nErasing the line where
\nDarkness ends and I begin.
\nI crave nothingness.
I was joined by Monte Wingle as I read my poem, Nirvana, and we discussed thoughts and ideas that came. Also, in the spirit of craving nothingness, we visited True Rest Float Spa to experience their float tank and see how close we could get to nothingness.
\n\n\n\nCover photo by: Lenka Sluneckova
\n\nMusic: Prelude 2, by Max Richter
\n\nUSA National Suicide Hotline (voice and text): 988
\nUK Suicide Hotline: 08006895652
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published my first book of poetry which is available at the following place:
\n\n\n\nSpecial Guest: Monte Wingle.
","summary":"TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is discussed in this episode. If anyone listening is struggling with suicidal ideation, please reach out to a friend or family member. There is also a national hotline in the USA that you can call: 988. \r\n\r\n I was joined by Monte Wingle as I ready my poem, Nirvana, and we discussed thoughts and ideas that came. Also, in the spirit of craving nothingness, we visited True Rest Float Spa to experience their float tank and see how close we could get to nothingness.","date_published":"2022-12-19T05:00:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/0995fb04-bc3f-4fec-9ee1-42cd685e0ef2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":59390435,"duration_in_seconds":3675}]},{"id":"cb637ccf-0492-49e5-9489-77d81f6c5dda","title":"Episode 15: Terrible Potential","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/15","content_text":"TERRIBLE POTENTIAL\n\nI see it now\nFor years I only sensed it\nOr saw the dissipating dust tails of its approach\nBut it filled me with terror \nAnd there was no cover or protection\nSo I ran \nAs fast as my child stride could take me\nNot even knowing what it was – \nOnly that it was coming\nBut that made the fear so much more\nIn my little mind\nSo I ran harder \nUntil I forgot why I was running –\nOnly knowing that I couldn’t stop\n\nBut I see it now\nIts shape is fluid and undefined\nAnd its terrible potential fills my mind\nI want to keep running – retreating\nBut it won’t stop and \nIt’s closing the gap and \nIt’s more terrible than I ever thought\nBut its real – I see it now\nAnd I know\n There’s no escape, there never was.\nBut I want to keep running anyway\nUntil it overtakes me \nI won’t see it coming; it will just happen and be done\nBut my insufficient legs refuse to carry me anymore \nSo I prostrate myself as an offering \n\nI know you’re coming, I whisper, \n And I offer myself willingly \n\nThis is not defeat, I reassure myself\nThen lower my eyes \nAnd brace for its fury\n\nBut my mind keeps moving – defiantly\nIt knows truths that my body forgot \nAnd reminds me: \n\nYou were born with claws\n And they’re with you still –\n\nAnd I remember and feel them\nThey are deep, but I feel them and they are there\nSo, I raise my body from the dirt and\nMy eyes to the distance\nIt is closer now – the gap disappearing\nBut not my fear. My fear is growing \n(broadcast loudly by my beating heart)\nBut I no longer want to run\nNor offer myself willingly\nInstead, I watch it come and I wait – in fear, true\nBut I wait to receive it\nAnd I steady myself.\n\nI have claws and I feel them\nAnd I will meet it face to face\nI have terrible potential too \nI feel it now.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, my poetry that I read on this podcast was recently published in my book My Mother Sleeps which is available at \n\nAmazon.com\n\nand \n\nThe King's English BookshopSpecial Guest: Justino Foster.","content_html":"TERRIBLE POTENTIAL
\n\nI see it now
\nFor years I only sensed it
\nOr saw the dissipating dust tails of its approach
\nBut it filled me with terror
\nAnd there was no cover or protection
\nSo I ran
\nAs fast as my child stride could take me
\nNot even knowing what it was –
\nOnly that it was coming
\nBut that made the fear so much more
\nIn my little mind
\nSo I ran harder
\nUntil I forgot why I was running –
\nOnly knowing that I couldn’t stop
But I see it now
\nIts shape is fluid and undefined
\nAnd its terrible potential fills my mind
\nI want to keep running – retreating
\nBut it won’t stop and
\nIt’s closing the gap and
\nIt’s more terrible than I ever thought
\nBut its real – I see it now
\nAnd I know
\n There’s no escape, there never was.
\nBut I want to keep running anyway
\nUntil it overtakes me
\nI won’t see it coming; it will just happen and be done
\nBut my insufficient legs refuse to carry me anymore
\nSo I prostrate myself as an offering
I know you’re coming, I whisper,
\n And I offer myself willingly
This is not defeat, I reassure myself
\nThen lower my eyes
\nAnd brace for its fury
But my mind keeps moving – defiantly
\nIt knows truths that my body forgot
\nAnd reminds me:
You were born with claws
\n And they’re with you still –
And I remember and feel them
\nThey are deep, but I feel them and they are there
\nSo, I raise my body from the dirt and
\nMy eyes to the distance
\nIt is closer now – the gap disappearing
\nBut not my fear. My fear is growing
\n(broadcast loudly by my beating heart)
\nBut I no longer want to run
\nNor offer myself willingly
\nInstead, I watch it come and I wait – in fear, true
\nBut I wait to receive it
\nAnd I steady myself.
I have claws and I feel them
\nAnd I will meet it face to face
\nI have terrible potential too
\nI feel it now.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, my poetry that I read on this podcast was recently published in my book My Mother Sleeps which is available at
\n\n\n\nand
\n\nSpecial Guest: Justino Foster.
","summary":"In this episode, I was joined by my nephew, Justin “Justino” Foster. I read my poem “Terrible Potential” and Justino and had a great discussion about the themes in the poem.","date_published":"2022-11-12T05:00:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/cb637ccf-0492-49e5-9489-77d81f6c5dda.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":77218720,"duration_in_seconds":4826}]},{"id":"c08e0d13-d3ef-4c10-874f-ee90d49604ed","title":"Episode 14: Beacons","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/14","content_text":"BEACONS\n\nIn the days\nWhen my horizons shifted,\nI remember you and\nThe gifts you brought to me:\n tenderness, love and protection.\nBut in my youthful confusion, \nKnew not how to receive them –\n I had known them from a different horizon.\nBut that horizon went dark in an instant \n (without warning)\nThough not entirely – there was protection still\nBut love and tenderness,\nThose beacons were extinguished, it seemed,\nUntil they flamed up again, \nBut now on your horizon and\n (without waiting)\nYou brought them to me –\n Unconditionally and ad infinitum.\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com: \nMy Mother Sleeps and On Becoming a Black HoleSpecial Guest: Aunt Kash.","content_html":"BEACONS
\n\nIn the days
\nWhen my horizons shifted,
\nI remember you and
\nThe gifts you brought to me:
\n tenderness, love and protection.
\nBut in my youthful confusion,
\nKnew not how to receive them –
\n I had known them from a different horizon.
\nBut that horizon went dark in an instant
\n (without warning)
\nThough not entirely – there was protection still
\nBut love and tenderness,
\nThose beacons were extinguished, it seemed,
\nUntil they flamed up again,
\nBut now on your horizon and
\n (without waiting)
\nYou brought them to me –
\n Unconditionally and ad infinitum.
I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com:
\nMy Mother Sleeps and On Becoming a Black Hole
Special Guest: Aunt Kash.
","summary":"I’m joined again by Aunt Kash to discuss people who’ve been beacons in our lives as well as our being beacons in the lives of others.","date_published":"2022-10-27T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/c08e0d13-d3ef-4c10-874f-ee90d49604ed.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":57194603,"duration_in_seconds":3063}]},{"id":"06da6846-00f2-427b-ad17-c6fe95159279","title":"Episode 13: Inconsequential","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/13","content_text":"Inconsequential\n\nAt what point is my absence \nInconsequential?\n\nWhen they’re too young to know the need?\n(But that time is gone)\n\nCertainly not now \nIn the midst of life’s straits\nWith foamy waves pounding \nAnd hidden reefs lurking \nBeneath an angry, fluid surface.\nNo; Not now. \nNow they need a captain \n(is that presumptuous?) \nWho has already navigated a similar course –\nthough more Hazelwood than Magellan.\n(well, all Hazelwood and no Magellan)\n\nPerhaps that time will be\nWhen they’ve helmed their own ship.\nIs my absence inconsequential then?\nCan I cross the bar then?\nOf course they’ll think of me and perhaps\nWant to see my face and\nHear my voice \n(or have me hear their voice and see their face)\nBut would my absence harm them?\nin those later years? \nThat is the question.\n\nBut here’s the better question:\nWould my absence now \nbe better than running them aground, \nagain and again\nand taking on salty water to no seeming end?\n\nI’ve given it a go.\nBut the ship lists endlessly and \nThe course seems fucked.\n\nWould the idea of me\nBe better than the reality?\nThat is the real question.\n\n\n\nNo man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.\n\n\nJohn Donne, Meditation XVII (from Devotions Upon Emergent Occassions, 1623)\n\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear any thoughts about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com: \n\nMy Mother Sleeps & On Becoming a Black HoleSpecial Guest: Jason Langston.","content_html":"Inconsequential
\n\nAt what point is my absence
\nInconsequential?
When they’re too young to know the need?
\n(But that time is gone)
Certainly not now
\nIn the midst of life’s straits
\nWith foamy waves pounding
\nAnd hidden reefs lurking
\nBeneath an angry, fluid surface.
\nNo; Not now.
\nNow they need a captain
\n(is that presumptuous?)
\nWho has already navigated a similar course –
\nthough more Hazelwood than Magellan.
\n(well, all Hazelwood and no Magellan)
Perhaps that time will be
\nWhen they’ve helmed their own ship.
\nIs my absence inconsequential then?
\nCan I cross the bar then?
\nOf course they’ll think of me and perhaps
\nWant to see my face and
\nHear my voice
\n(or have me hear their voice and see their face)
\nBut would my absence harm them?
\nin those later years?
\nThat is the question.
But here’s the better question:
\nWould my absence now
\nbe better than running them aground,
\nagain and again
\nand taking on salty water to no seeming end?
I’ve given it a go.
\nBut the ship lists endlessly and
\nThe course seems fucked.
Would the idea of me
\nBe better than the reality?
\nThat is the real question.
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
\n\nI'd love to hear any thoughts about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com:
\n\nMy Mother Sleeps & On Becoming a Black Hole
Special Guest: Jason Langston.
","summary":"I’m joined by my friend Jason Langston as I read my poem, Inconsequential. Then we get into a discussion of connection, addiction, parenting and relationships and the fact that no person is inconsequential. As John Donne wrote (old English spelling and all): “No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe.”","date_published":"2022-10-13T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/06da6846-00f2-427b-ad17-c6fe95159279.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":64403700,"duration_in_seconds":3168}]},{"id":"2db08eab-20a6-46be-ba4a-ac1c3d328e21","title":"Episode 12: The Remains of the Day","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/12","content_text":"I'd love to hear what your thoughts on the topics that were discussed in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\n\"The noble soul has reverence for itself.\" - Frederic Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.comSpecial Guest: Nate Morris.","content_html":"I'd love to hear what your thoughts on the topics that were discussed in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\n"The noble soul has reverence for itself." - Frederic Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com
Special Guest: Nate Morris.
","summary":"I’m joined by Nate Morris this episode as we discuss the book, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.","date_published":"2022-10-07T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/2db08eab-20a6-46be-ba4a-ac1c3d328e21.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":73490899,"duration_in_seconds":6063}]},{"id":"98c15655-e1a3-40ac-a4d8-d032aaed5c32","title":"Episode 11: “The Sadness Will Last Forever”","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/11","content_text":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nTHE SADNESS WILL LAST FOREVER\nI feel you here.\nI sense your soul in the quiet darkness\nOf the slow. flow of le Rhône\nAs she wanders under your\nStarry Night\nPast the place of your\nYellow House.\nI sense you too in the day light,\nAs the yellow sun arcs\nThrough the sky of broad, blue strokes.\nI see the fields, littered with Ancient Rome,\nIn your colors\nyellows, greens and blues\nAs if painted in windmilled paints\nBright and layered thick.\nAnd the heavenward sunflowers turn their heads.\nAs if searching for you\nWanting to be immortalized on your canvas.\nBut you've been gone for ages\nYour sadness took you away.\n\nAdam's questions to ask yourself about creativity:\n\n\nWhat does creativity mean to you?\nWhat is your greatest fear around creating art and\nsharing it?\nHow does your inner critic affect your creative\nprocess and where are you most sensitive to\ncriticism?\nWhen did you realize you were creative and how was\nthat nurtured or not nurtured?\nWhen and what areas are you most open to criticism\nas it pertains to your art?\n\n\nMy first book of poetry can be purchased from Amazon by clicking this link: My Mother SleepsSpecial Guest: Adam Nisenson, MA, LAMFT, CSAT.","content_html":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nTHE SADNESS WILL LAST FOREVER
\nI feel you here.
\nI sense your soul in the quiet darkness
\nOf the slow. flow of le Rhône
\nAs she wanders under your
\nStarry Night
\nPast the place of your
\nYellow House.
\nI sense you too in the day light,
\nAs the yellow sun arcs
\nThrough the sky of broad, blue strokes.
\nI see the fields, littered with Ancient Rome,
\nIn your colors
\nyellows, greens and blues
\nAs if painted in windmilled paints
\nBright and layered thick.
\nAnd the heavenward sunflowers turn their heads.
\nAs if searching for you
\nWanting to be immortalized on your canvas.
\nBut you've been gone for ages
\nYour sadness took you away.
Adam's questions to ask yourself about creativity:
\n\nMy first book of poetry can be purchased from Amazon by clicking this link: My Mother Sleeps
Special Guest: Adam Nisenson, MA, LAMFT, CSAT.
","summary":"In this episode, I read my poem, “The Sadness Will Last Forever,” which is about Vincent Van Gogh. I am joined by Adam Nisenson who is a therapist in Salt Lake City as well as an accomplished artist. We discuss creativity and its importance in our lives.","date_published":"2022-08-02T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/98c15655-e1a3-40ac-a4d8-d032aaed5c32.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":70844273,"duration_in_seconds":3496}]},{"id":"102b9b30-5399-4a88-bfaf-584ef9bd7bb1","title":"Episode 10: A Subtle Wound","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/10","content_text":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nA SUBTLE WOUND\nYou left me when my world\nWas measured by a child's stride.\nYou had to go away for awhile,\nI was told\nTo ease me into the truth:\nYou were gone\nAnd not coming back.\n\nIt was involuntary, I know\nYour leaving\nBut intent is not part\nOf trauma's calculus\nSo I was not spared -\nThough the wound went unnoticed:\nThere was no nervous response\nOr reflexive recoil\nAs when you touch a hot pan.\nIt was subtle:\nno bleeding, no blistered flesh.\n Just a change in routine\n And one less setting at the table.\n\nJackie Pack's Podcast: \nThanks for Sharing\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published a book of poetry which is available on Amazon.com: My Mother Sleeps\n\nEpisode Cover Art by Ginny Rose Stewart on UnsplashSpecial Guest: Jackie Pack, LCSW, CSAT-S, CMAT.","content_html":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nA SUBTLE WOUND
\nYou left me when my world
\nWas measured by a child's stride.
\nYou had to go away for awhile,
\nI was told
\nTo ease me into the truth:
\nYou were gone
\nAnd not coming back.
It was involuntary, I know
\nYour leaving
\nBut intent is not part
\nOf trauma's calculus
\nSo I was not spared -
\nThough the wound went unnoticed:
\nThere was no nervous response
\nOr reflexive recoil
\nAs when you touch a hot pan.
\nIt was subtle:
\nno bleeding, no blistered flesh.
\n Just a change in routine
\n And one less setting at the table.
Jackie Pack's Podcast:
\nThanks for Sharing
If you're interested, I recently published a book of poetry which is available on Amazon.com: My Mother Sleeps
\n\nEpisode Cover Art by Ginny Rose Stewart on Unsplash
Special Guest: Jackie Pack, LCSW, CSAT-S, CMAT.
","summary":"In this episode I read and discuss my poem “A Subtle Wound” with Jackie Pack. We talk about the importance of connection and holding space for those who’ve experienced trauma.","date_published":"2022-07-23T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/102b9b30-5399-4a88-bfaf-584ef9bd7bb1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":66455595,"duration_in_seconds":3353}]},{"id":"64a1bead-d37d-46fb-bf31-c88035e7f8d8","title":"Episode 9: Bonus: “Elvis” Movie Review","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/9","content_text":"Jason and I watched the new Elvis movie Thursday night and this is our review.\n\nWe both gave it 8 blue suede shoes out 10. \n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.comSpecial Guest: Jason Small.","content_html":"Jason and I watched the new Elvis movie Thursday night and this is our review.
\n\nWe both gave it 8 blue suede shoes out 10.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com
Special Guest: Jason Small.
","summary":"I’m joined by Jason Small again. This time to review the new Elvis movie by Baz Luhrmann.","date_published":"2022-06-26T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/64a1bead-d37d-46fb-bf31-c88035e7f8d8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":69254215,"duration_in_seconds":3656}]},{"id":"c5d5ce8a-ef35-4d83-a137-599a3e6c6485","title":"Episode 8: Besieged","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/8","content_text":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nI’m joined by Jason Small in this episode as I read my poem “Besieged” and we discuss the difficulty of facing challenges to our way of thinking and being and how we’ve dealt with it.\n\nBESIEGED\n\nPossibilities march \nOn my walled city of certainties\nAnd lay siege.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon\n\nMy Mother SleepsSpecial Guest: Jason Small.","content_html":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nI’m joined by Jason Small in this episode as I read my poem “Besieged” and we discuss the difficulty of facing challenges to our way of thinking and being and how we’ve dealt with it.
\n\nBESIEGED
\n\nPossibilities march
\nOn my walled city of certainties
\nAnd lay siege.
If you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon
\n\nSpecial Guest: Jason Small.
","summary":"I’m joined by Jason Small in this episode as I read my poem “Besieged” and we discuss the difficulty of facing challenges to our way of thinking and being and how we’ve dealt with it.","date_published":"2022-06-25T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/c5d5ce8a-ef35-4d83-a137-599a3e6c6485.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":73728179,"duration_in_seconds":3838}]},{"id":"30a41b50-bb5e-4d33-905e-fb2604536b7e","title":"Episode 7: Your Father's Son","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/7","content_text":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were\ndiscussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nYOUR FATHER’S SON\n\nYour soul was large \nIt needed to consume newness\n again and again \nBut the Chicago frontier\nHemmed you in \nYou couldn't expand. \nSo you crossed the cold,\n Impersonal Atlantic \nTo the hot,\n Exploding Italian front\nWhere death nearly took you.\nIt was simple, you said\nYou looked at it and knew \nBut you consumed it and moved \nGaining immunity, it seemed \nFor death couldn't take you \nOn its own- though it tried \n again and again \nBut it couldn't take you –\n until Ketchum \nWhere your father's shadow waited.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon\n\nThank you for listening.Special Guest: Ryan Thomas.","content_html":"I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were
\ndiscussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
YOUR FATHER’S SON
\n\nYour soul was large
\nIt needed to consume newness
\n again and again
\nBut the Chicago frontier
\nHemmed you in
\nYou couldn't expand.
\nSo you crossed the cold,
\n Impersonal Atlantic
\nTo the hot,
\n Exploding Italian front
\nWhere death nearly took you.
\nIt was simple, you said
\nYou looked at it and knew
\nBut you consumed it and moved
\nGaining immunity, it seemed
\nFor death couldn't take you
\nOn its own- though it tried
\n again and again
\nBut it couldn't take you –
\n until Ketchum
\nWhere your father's shadow waited.
If you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon
\n\nThank you for listening.
Special Guest: Ryan Thomas.
","summary":"I’m joined by my friend, Ryan Thomas as I read my poem, “Your Father’s Son”, and we discuss fatherhood and parenting.","date_published":"2022-06-18T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/30a41b50-bb5e-4d33-905e-fb2604536b7e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":67099684,"duration_in_seconds":3413}]},{"id":"12eed222-cf24-4a4a-b6e1-8dfabcbcf46d","title":"Episode 6: On Pain by Khalil Gibran","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/6","content_text":"In this episode, I read Khalil Gibran’s passage on pain from his book, The Prophet and discuss pain, including discomfort and fear, and the impact it’s had in my life. I also, discuss ways that I’ve found to work through pain such as finding meaning in it.\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nOn Pain\n\nAnd a woman spoke, saying, Tell us of Pain.\n\nAnd he said:\nYour pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses \nyour understanding. \n\nEven as the stone of the fruit must break, that its \nheart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. \n\nAnd could you keep your heart in wonder at the \ndaily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem \nless wondrous than your joy; \n\nAnd you would accept the seasons of your heart, \neven as you have always accepted the seasons that \npass over your fields. \n\nAnd you would watch with serenity through the \nwinters of your grief. \n\nMuch of your pain is self-chosen. \n\nIt is the bitter potion by which the physician within \nyou heals your sick self. \n\nTherefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy \nin silence and tranquillity: \n\nFor his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by \nthe tender hand of the Unseen, \n\nAnd the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has \nbeen fashioned of the clay which the Potter has \nmoistened with His own sacred tears.\n\nIf you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com","content_html":"In this episode, I read Khalil Gibran’s passage on pain from his book, The Prophet and discuss pain, including discomfort and fear, and the impact it’s had in my life. I also, discuss ways that I’ve found to work through pain such as finding meaning in it.
\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nOn Pain
\n\nAnd a woman spoke, saying, Tell us of Pain.
\n\nAnd he said:
\nYour pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses
\nyour understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
\nheart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the
\ndaily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem
\nless wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart,
\neven as you have always accepted the seasons that
\npass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity through the
\nwinters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
\n\nIt is the bitter potion by which the physician within
\nyou heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy
\nin silence and tranquillity:
For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by
\nthe tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has
\nbeen fashioned of the clay which the Potter has
\nmoistened with His own sacred tears.
If you're interested, I recently published two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.com
","summary":"In this episode, I read Khalil Gibran’s passage on pain from his book, The Prophet and discuss pain, including discomfort and fear, and the impact it’s had in my life. I also, discuss ways that I’ve found to work through pain such as finding meaning in it.","date_published":"2022-06-15T05:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/12eed222-cf24-4a4a-b6e1-8dfabcbcf46d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":59040928,"duration_in_seconds":2822}]},{"id":"193660a7-66c2-42fa-99b3-e4b5c16808f3","title":"Episode 5: \"Emperor Concerto,\" II","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/5","content_text":"In this episode, I read my poem, “Emperor Concerto, II” and I’m joined by Ric de Azevedo as we discuss the power of music.\n\n“EMPEROR CONCERTO” II\n\nThe strings prepare me\nLike a good opening act,\nFor the moment the piano comes in\nLike a ballerina on point\nDelicately entering the stage.\nI’m speechless every time.\nIn awe (reverent almost)\nAs my body absorbs the sound waves\nHarnessed two centuries ago by a deaf man\nWho arranged them into beauty\nThen converted them to ink and\nStained them on paper.\nAnd now I sit, transfixed,\nAs a modern-day acoustic alchemist\nTransmutes the ink back into waves\nAnd floods me with euphoria.\n\n[Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, OP. 73 \"Emperor,\" II. Adagio un poco moto (mosso)]\n\nReal Live Girl\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say bout the episode including thoughts on the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.Special Guest: Ric de Azevedo.","content_html":"In this episode, I read my poem, “Emperor Concerto, II” and I’m joined by Ric de Azevedo as we discuss the power of music.
\n\n“EMPEROR CONCERTO” II
\n\nThe strings prepare me
\nLike a good opening act,
\nFor the moment the piano comes in
\nLike a ballerina on point
\nDelicately entering the stage.
\nI’m speechless every time.
\nIn awe (reverent almost)
\nAs my body absorbs the sound waves
\nHarnessed two centuries ago by a deaf man
\nWho arranged them into beauty
\nThen converted them to ink and
\nStained them on paper.
\nAnd now I sit, transfixed,
\nAs a modern-day acoustic alchemist
\nTransmutes the ink back into waves
\nAnd floods me with euphoria.
[Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, OP. 73 "Emperor," II. Adagio un poco moto (mosso)]
\n\n\n\nI'd love to hear what you have to say bout the episode including thoughts on the topics that were discussed. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
Special Guest: Ric de Azevedo.
","summary":"In this episode, I read my poem, “Emperor Concerto, II” and I’m joined by Ric de Azevedo as we discuss the power of music. ","date_published":"2022-06-14T08:30:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/193660a7-66c2-42fa-99b3-e4b5c16808f3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":46379678,"duration_in_seconds":2272}]},{"id":"d6590140-5c6f-4efb-b2da-9bbce3b69cc1","title":"Episode 4: Unconditional ","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/4","content_text":"I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding the topics discussed in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!\n\nUNCONDITIONAL\n\nThrust into mortality\nNew and unbroken yet\nAnd you, \n Having just crossed the valley,\nWith tender reach\nPull me close to your body\nWhich was broken for me.\nIn your safety, \nYour heartbeat communicates to me\nOf love \nOf possession –\n I belong to you.\nIn that moment,\n I alone am your world.\n I alone am your joy.\n\nPoems read by Aunt Kash:\n\nTriolet Against Sister, Phyllis McGinley\n\nSisters are always drying their hair.\nLocked into rooms, alone,\nThey pose at the mirror, shoulders bare,\nTrying this way and that their hair,\nOr fly importunate down the stair\nTo answer a telephone.\nSisters are always drying their hair,\nLocked into rooms, alone.\n\nTroilet Against Sisters with notes by Aunt Kash's mom\n\nEmily Dickinson poem recited by Aunt Kash's mom:\n\nIf I can stop one heart from breaking,\nI shall not live in vain;\nIf I can ease one life the aching,\nOr cool one pain,\nOr help one fainting robin\nUnto his nest again,\nI shall not live in vain.\n\nAlso, if any of you are interested, I recently self-published a couple books of poetry and they are for sale on Amazon.com (only in paperback at the moment).\n\nMy books\n\nEpisode image is my mother and my sister, Melissa.Special Guest: Aunt Kash.","content_html":"I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding the topics discussed in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!
\n\nUNCONDITIONAL
\n\nThrust into mortality
\nNew and unbroken yet
\nAnd you,
\n Having just crossed the valley,
\nWith tender reach
\nPull me close to your body
\nWhich was broken for me.
\nIn your safety,
\nYour heartbeat communicates to me
\nOf love
\nOf possession –
\n I belong to you.
\nIn that moment,
\n I alone am your world.
\n I alone am your joy.
Poems read by Aunt Kash:
\n\nTriolet Against Sister, Phyllis McGinley
\n\nSisters are always drying their hair.
\nLocked into rooms, alone,
\nThey pose at the mirror, shoulders bare,
\nTrying this way and that their hair,
\nOr fly importunate down the stair
\nTo answer a telephone.
\nSisters are always drying their hair,
\nLocked into rooms, alone.
Troilet Against Sisters with notes by Aunt Kash's mom
\n\nEmily Dickinson poem recited by Aunt Kash's mom:
\n\nIf I can stop one heart from breaking,
\nI shall not live in vain;
\nIf I can ease one life the aching,
\nOr cool one pain,
\nOr help one fainting robin
\nUnto his nest again,
\nI shall not live in vain.
Also, if any of you are interested, I recently self-published a couple books of poetry and they are for sale on Amazon.com (only in paperback at the moment).
\n\n\n\nEpisode image is my mother and my sister, Melissa.
Special Guest: Aunt Kash.
","summary":"In this episode, I read my poem, “Unconditional” and then talk with my Aunt Kash about mothers and “unconditional love.” ","date_published":"2022-06-08T20:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/d6590140-5c6f-4efb-b2da-9bbce3b69cc1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":55780056,"duration_in_seconds":2836}]},{"id":"0c5144c2-5493-4b43-ad0f-daeb23d3b9b8","title":"Episode 3: Forgotten Walls","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/3","content_text":"I'd love to hear any of your thoughts or comments regarding my poem or our discussion in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.\n\nThanks for listening.\n\nFORGOTTEN WALLS\n\nClarity comes\nAnd the walls reveal themselves –\n tall, strong and immovable.\nIn the haze and fog,\nWhich is his daily walk,\nTheir existence is blurred;\n They are forgotten\nThough he was there when they were built,\n and even added stones.\nNow in clarity, he looks to bring them down –\n stone by stone.\nAnd so he works relentlessly, \n with pick and hammer\nAs his salty sweat stings his eyes and \nHis muscles and mind fatigue.\nYet his only yield from this Sisyphean task is\nBloodied palms and frustration,\n While the stones remain, one upon the other.\nThen slowly and imperceptibly,\n (under cover of his exhausted heart and mind)\nThe fog seeps back again\nAnd hides the stony barricade.\n\nThe image used as the cover art and on the header is a painting of Sisyphus by Titian.\n\n[](By Titian - [2], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3860214) Special Guest: Josh Baron.","content_html":"I'd love to hear any of your thoughts or comments regarding my poem or our discussion in this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com.
\n\nThanks for listening.
\n\nFORGOTTEN WALLS
\n\nClarity comes
\nAnd the walls reveal themselves –
\n tall, strong and immovable.
\nIn the haze and fog,
\nWhich is his daily walk,
\nTheir existence is blurred;
\n They are forgotten
\nThough he was there when they were built,
\n and even added stones.
\nNow in clarity, he looks to bring them down –
\n stone by stone.
\nAnd so he works relentlessly,
\n with pick and hammer
\nAs his salty sweat stings his eyes and
\nHis muscles and mind fatigue.
\nYet his only yield from this Sisyphean task is
\nBloodied palms and frustration,
\n While the stones remain, one upon the other.
\nThen slowly and imperceptibly,
\n (under cover of his exhausted heart and mind)
\nThe fog seeps back again
\nAnd hides the stony barricade.
The image used as the cover art and on the header is a painting of Sisyphus by Titian.
\n\n[](By Titian - [2], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3860214)
Special Guest: Josh Baron.
","summary":"I read my poem \"Forgotten Walls\" and discuss it with my guest, Josh Baron.","date_published":"2022-06-02T13:15:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/0c5144c2-5493-4b43-ad0f-daeb23d3b9b8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32605980,"duration_in_seconds":3260}]},{"id":"27d5674a-d0fb-4de9-bf2f-131ed08c6e14","title":"Episode 2: [Ignorant before the heavens of my life] by Rainer Maria Rilke","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/2","content_text":"Life is tragic and it is easy to get bogged down to the point where we just wake, eat, work, sleep, repeat or we suffer traumatic events that may cause us to withdraw into a seemingly protected existence. In both instances, we miss out on living a meaningful life and on experiencing the invigoration of being human. I feel that this poem by Rilke discusses the moment we become aware that there is a vibrant life to be lived and the realizations surrounding that awareness. It seems to encapsulate the beginning or the call of the mythological hero's journey.\n\n[Ignorant before the heavens of my life]\n\nIgnorant before the heavens of my life,\nI stand and gaze in wonder. Oh the vastness\nof the stars. Their rising and descent. How still.\nAs if I didn't exist. Do I have any\nshare in this? Have I somehow dispensed with\ntheir pure effect? Does my blood's ebb and flow\nchange with their changes? Let me put aside\nevery desire, every relationship\nexcept this one, so that my heart grows used to\nits farthest spaces. Better that it live\nfully aware, in the terror of its stars, than\nas if protected, soothed by what is near.\n\nRM Rilke\n\nI'd love to hear any comments or thoughts about this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com. Thanks for listening.","content_html":"Life is tragic and it is easy to get bogged down to the point where we just wake, eat, work, sleep, repeat or we suffer traumatic events that may cause us to withdraw into a seemingly protected existence. In both instances, we miss out on living a meaningful life and on experiencing the invigoration of being human. I feel that this poem by Rilke discusses the moment we become aware that there is a vibrant life to be lived and the realizations surrounding that awareness. It seems to encapsulate the beginning or the call of the mythological hero's journey.
\n\n[Ignorant before the heavens of my life]
\n\nIgnorant before the heavens of my life,
\nI stand and gaze in wonder. Oh the vastness
\nof the stars. Their rising and descent. How still.
\nAs if I didn't exist. Do I have any
\nshare in this? Have I somehow dispensed with
\ntheir pure effect? Does my blood's ebb and flow
\nchange with their changes? Let me put aside
\nevery desire, every relationship
\nexcept this one, so that my heart grows used to
\nits farthest spaces. Better that it live
\nfully aware, in the terror of its stars, than
\nas if protected, soothed by what is near.
RM Rilke
\n\nI'd love to hear any comments or thoughts about this episode. You can email me at poetdelayed@gmail.com. Thanks for listening.
","summary":"Read and discuss Rilke’s [Ignorant before the heavens of my life]","date_published":"2022-06-01T11:15:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/27d5674a-d0fb-4de9-bf2f-131ed08c6e14.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35277959,"duration_in_seconds":1680}]},{"id":"4432c59c-a41d-4bde-82a3-4b9527862c96","title":"Episode 1: Episode 1: The Poet’s Call","url":"https://blessed-pine-5317.fireside.fm/1","content_text":"I've spent most of my life hacking at the branches of my problems and having no sustained improvement as a result. Over the last few years, the roots have started to be more clear to me and now I'm making more efforts to strike them. One of the axes that I use is poetry - writing poetry, specifically. In this first episode I discuss that process and I share and talk about my poem \"The Poet's Call.\" \n\nThe Poet's Call\n\nWrite hard words\nTo break your soul against\nRedemptive words too\nTo bind it up again.\n\n_Also, I referenced a poem by E. E. Cummings _\n\nmay I be I is the only prayer--not may I be great or good or beautiful or wise or strong. - Cummings\n\nand one by Rainer Maria Rilke.\n\nGod speaks to each of us as he makes us,\nthen walks with us silently out of the night.\n\nThese are the words we dimly hear:\n\nYou, sent out beyond your recall,\ngo to the limits of your longing.\nEmbody me.\n\nFlare up like a flame\nand make big shadows I can move in.\n\nLet everything happen to you: beauty and terror.\nJust keep going. No feeling is final.\nDon’t let yourself lose me.\n\nNearby is the country they call life.\nYou will know it by its seriousness.\n\nGive me your hand.\n\nBook of Hours, I 59","content_html":"I've spent most of my life hacking at the branches of my problems and having no sustained improvement as a result. Over the last few years, the roots have started to be more clear to me and now I'm making more efforts to strike them. One of the axes that I use is poetry - writing poetry, specifically. In this first episode I discuss that process and I share and talk about my poem "The Poet's Call."
\n\nThe Poet's Call
\n\nWrite hard words
\nTo break your soul against
\nRedemptive words too
\nTo bind it up again.
_Also, I referenced a poem by E. E. Cummings _
\n\nmay I be I is the only prayer--not may I be great or good or beautiful or wise or strong. - Cummings
\n\nand one by Rainer Maria Rilke.
\n\nGod speaks to each of us as he makes us,
\nthen walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
\n\nYou, sent out beyond your recall,
\ngo to the limits of your longing.
\nEmbody me.
Flare up like a flame
\nand make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
\nJust keep going. No feeling is final.
\nDon’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
\nYou will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
\n\nBook of Hours, I 59
","summary":"Introduction to the Podcast.","date_published":"2022-05-24T08:00:00.000-06:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/4432c59c-a41d-4bde-82a3-4b9527862c96.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":48846536,"duration_in_seconds":2212}]}]}![Troilet Against Sisters with notes by Aunt Kash's mom](\"https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b1c4f464-ff8b-4fd1-8632-8c458a232c1a/7iZVIuZy.jpeg\"){kind=link}