Poetry For Now

I picked up my journals of 2017 and 2020 and I found some poems that really resonate with me today. Just a brief explanation I have been following a path of yoga called Siddha Yoga with our teacher Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, for many years. And on January 1st each year she gives us a message, "A SWEET SURPRISE", something to think about for the year and that is how this episode will begin. The poems of 2020 reflect a fresh view of the world that was sparked by the New Year's message. 201...

In August 2025 my wife, daughter & Son-in-law drove and lived in an RV as we travelled around iceland for 10 days - now hear what we experienced! You can SEE some of what we saw on my website, and more completely in my book available as a pdf or printed at https://www.blurb.com/b/12547137-iceland-travelling-the-ring-road Support the show

These poems give a small flavor of our 3 week journey through Japan, which followed my walk on the Kumano Kodo. In my photo book, Exploring Japan, the themes are Transportation, Food, Gardens, Shrines and Temples and unique cultural experiences like Sumo wrestling, Taiko drumming, a zen monk, making Mochi and Mulberry paper. These poems, some in the form of WAKAs, follow these themes. Support the show

After 26 hours of travel and a nights rest my pilgrimage begins. The Kumano Kodō is made up of multiple pilgrimage routes, and my first day is at the end of the Kiiji route, then I continue and in six days complete the Nakahechi route. Most of these poems start in the Japanese form of Waka or Tanka. With a loose 5 line structure of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables . The music you hear is a duet of Japanese instruments, the Koto harp and the shakuhachi flute Support the show

As I am about to leave to walk in Japan on the Kumano Kodo, I will leave Florida and the US and enter a different time zone in many ways. This will be a pilgrimage into another culture, into walking time when everything slows down and awareness of the moment takes hold. Meanwhile on my training walks I find refreshing moments. The final poems are from my book Step by Step about my Camino walk in 2016. Support the show

The last week in March in Washington DC, the cherry blossoms performed their annual wake up call, to remind us that nature is beautiful and apolitical. The Smithsonian museums gave us artists sharing their views of their worlds through their creativity - opening our minds, eyes and hearts to new ideas and ways to see and feel the world. The Smithsonian Zoo welcomed visitors to enjoy its animals and especially the happy Giant Pandas. These poems reflect my experience during t...

There is a Taoist parable of a farmer and his lost horse. It seems that a series of “misfortunes” occur, and each time his neighbors say isn’t that terrible . His response is “Maybe” or “It’s too soon to say”. Since October last year, when my wife had a bad accident in London, and then with the result of the presidential elections and the first month of this presidency - I have had a hard time writing good poetry and putting together this podcast. However I have been saying ...

In March 2024 I travelled to New Braunfels, Texas and spent days playing tennis and a night in Gruene Hall. A friendly bar and music venue. As usual with my camera in hand, I found people willing and open to share themselves. I discovered stories in my photos (please look at my website) and my musings in an old note book and realized there was poetry hidden in there! Support the show

After 3 days in Venice I take a bus up into the Dolomite Mountains to my starting point, Cortina. 6 days walking from town to town, across the most unusual and dramatic landscapes shaped both by glacial erosion and volcanic activity. As you listen to these poems enjoy my photos at thewalkingpoet.net My bucket list is shrinking and As one adventure ends, the next one is about to begin! Support the show

AT THE END OF 2023 we spent 2 months in India and some of these poems reflect my experience in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Ganeshpuri where we participated in a retreat called Pilgrimage to the Heart and then stayed and offered service. Sacred space seems to exist in "powerful" physical locations, in reality we each carry own Sacred Space in our Hearts. The Nobel Laureate poet Joseph Brodsky said : Humanity should always be in touch with the Gods, Poetry carries their message...

As I waited for inspiration the world changed - the war between Israel & Hamas - the power battle between extremes in the GOP - The performance we attended of “Considering Matthew Shepard”, a poignant and brilliant reminder of the co-existence of hate and love. You will hear how I have been effected by these, as I realize that poetry has a valuable role in this world. These poems also reflect my search for an experience of the famed "Vortexes of Sedona". Support the show

This episode continues my photographic trip down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon. These poems describe the "total experience" of life on the river; ending with our last supper! Support the show

Season 3 Episode 13 Colorado river poems for 7 nights & 8 days in the heat of Late August & early September 2023 I went rafting down the Colorado River through the rapids of the Grand Canyon, taking a landscape photo workshop with 8 students and 2 teachers. Every evening I read my daily poem to the group - here they are! Notes: The 2 rafts were named "Raven" and "Red Wall". A Sarong is a long length of colorful cloth you can wrap around you. A "Groover" ...

These poems are from my first photography & poetry book published on Blurb.com in 2011. They are a reflection of my concern about the environment (before Al Gore's Book "The Inconvenient Truth"). They follow the 5 Elements of Earth, Water, Air, Wood, & Fire. Support the show

We are lucky to live with a nature preserve on our doorstep, and the Naples Botanical Garden a bike ride away. We also had a family week in the Outer Banks. All these places inspired these poems. I was also motivated by a Masterclass given by Amanda Gorman. Support the show

In Part 1 you heard about Thailand and Laos. Part 2 is highlights of our experiences in Cambodia and Vietnam - of course all in "verse"! Living in London, England, I was unaware of the reality of the Vietnam war or later the Khmer Rouge - this trip revealed the true horror that these countries went through; and yet they have successfully moved on. Support the show

In April and May we traveled in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. 3 1/2 weeks is really just enough time to get a taste for the major cities, countryside and cultures. So rather than get into the detailed day to day activities I hope to communicate to you the experiences that touched us most. This episode is about Thailand and Laos. Support the show

During the second half of my State Parks trip I walked on long trails, kayaked and swam in refreshing natural springs, and learned about Florida’s enormous underground rivers and springs that feed into its aquifer systems. I hope my words paint pictures of the places, and you can find photos on my website thewalkingpoet.net Support the show

If one focuses on Florida’s landscapes, birds and wildlife, ignoring peoples’ politics and outlooks, it has much to offer the walking poet. In less than a week walking and kayaking, exploring in 9 state parks and conservation areas, searching for Manatees and birds, I felt refreshed - green therapy. In this episode join me in these state parks: Myakka River and Forest , Hillsborough River, and Colt Creek. Support the show

We just passed the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This made me think about anniversaries and gratitude and the good, the bad, the power of celebrations and memories. Anniversaries are a date, from which we can create, memories good or bad, thoughts joyful or sad. Support the show