Poetry For Now

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 messages,A...

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 poemsfor 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" is...

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.netSupport 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.

Happy New Year - A new year brings new opportunities. A resolution I have made is that each day I will write at least one poem and take and select at least one new photograph. I am also going to experiment with different poetic forms, such as GROOKS, invented by the Danish Scientist Piet Hein, and Haiku and Lunes! And I will get inspired by other poets, like Bernadette Mayer - an innovative poet from Brooklyn - who always surprises.My poems in this episode are a...

Goodbye 202210 years ago Queen Elizabeth 2nd named 2012 Annus Horriblus - well in some ways that could be said of 2022 with a war and a continuing pandemic….However the 8th day of Chanukah and Christmas Day 2022 met in a blaze of light. And almost real Winter finally hit Naples Florida after 8 years of living here. Both good reasons to feel gratitude and have a laugh. And we can start fresh in 2023!Support the Show.

These poems reflect some of my experiences as we moved on from Greece to Ireland.One of the many conversations we had in Ireland, on the streets of Dingle, was with Arthur Broomfield, the poet, and I start with a poem inspired by his book Ireland Calling. It imagines a childhood in the Greek Islands and then in Ireland. The delightful music was recorded in pubs and on the streets as we travelled around Ireland.Support the Show.

My grandmother was born when travel was by horse and carriage and lived to experience jet planes. I never ceased to be amazed by the easeful transformation of time and space experienced through air plane travel. This podcast shares our experiences of this in Greece in August 2022The Odyssey Starts --We wake up in another world Island Memories -Brilliant bleach-white boxy housesMagnificence and Myths - Democracy .. Medicine ..The Hippocratic Oath ..Asklepios .. Hygeia a...

We have been traveling in Europe for 6 weeks, arriving back in the US September 28th just as Hurricane Ian hit our home town of Naples. Finally finding a way back 4 days after it hit we gratefully found our home and community which is 4 miles from the beaches, unharmed, unlike much of Naples. This episode focuses on Hurricane Ian's impact in Naples, nature's resilience and my other "hurricane experiences".Support the Show.

Living in South West Fl these last 7 years have given a me new perspective of nature and its wonders. These reflect some of these experiences.Support the Show.

These poems came as I reflected on the choices I make every day: How I spend my time, what I read and listen to, and consequently what I think about.A theme is that it is easy to get caught in a virtual world of electrons - but Nature is all around us offering beauty and joy.Support the Show.

Relationships only truly succeed when we breakthrough the barriers, the walls that divide and separate us. Some of these poems are inspired by Robert Frost's line "Who doesn't love a wall!". Two poems are inspired by those first unique experiences we have in our lives, particularly as a parent.Support the Show.

June is going by so fast. We spent 2 weeks away from home as wars, school shootings and inflation flashed across the media. Thankfully being in Nature always refreshes me and gives one hope.The poems are about my experiences in Florida & Shenandoah National Park... and a couple of almost private family jokes!Support the Show.