Tag Archives: poetry

Poetry Wednesday 03/18/09: Piedra de Sol (Sunstone)

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Piedra de Sol’ (Sunstone) is a poem by Octavio Paz, written in 1957. It was praised as a “magnificent” example of surrealist poetry in the presentation speech of his Nobel Prize. It has been translated into English by Eliot Weinberger, this translation was published in 1987 as part of the collection The Collected Poems of Octavio Paz, 1957-1987. In 1991 this translation was joined with the original poem in a single volume published by New Directions Books (New York). This edition also featured illustrations of … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 03/04/09: Crucifixion

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Introduction: The Crucifixion,” an epic tragedy supposedly inspired by the lives of Jesus Christ, John F. Kennedy, and Dylan that still stands as one of the most relevant, poetic, inventive, and defiantly ahead-of-its-time pieces of music from the entire 1960s decade. To say the track is “apocalyptic” is to put it mildly: lyrically Phil Ochs manages to perfectly illustrate (even through the most surreal and chaotic imagery) the perverted desire of humanity to have someone be simultaneously hero and scapegoat.  Crucifixion by Phil Ochs And the … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 08/06/08: Only Breath by Jalaluddin Rumi

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My friend, Heidi, posted this poem, “Only Breath” by Jalaluddin Rumi for Poetry Wednesday many months ago. I was very moved and inspired by it, and I would like to repost it and dedicate it to the Poetry Wednesday group.     Jalal-ud-din Rumi is the most popular poet in North America. Nearly every poetically minded person who is anyone quotes him. However, he is not an American. Furthermore, he did not know anything about America when he was alive. He was born Mawlana Jalal-ud-din Mohammed on 30 September, 1207, 285 … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 05/06/09: My Favorite Poem by Sans Souci

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  Sans Souci and Laurita Photographed by their father Birthday Doll By Sans Souci from her upcoming book, “The Cerebral Jukebox” I might have been twelve, soyou were six and under my care;mom worked.She brought home the groceries after a dayat the Dictaphone machine and the ninety words per minutetypewriter,stepped out of her high heels, returning to five feet tall.She handed me five dollars and told meto take you to buy a birthday present.OK, Ma, I think I dutifully answered.She must have been tired, really tired, … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 11/11/09: The Building Of The Ship

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The Commissioning of The USS New York New York Harbor Photography by Laurita Saturday, November 7, 2009   The Building of the Ship by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Build me straight, O worthy Master! Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel, That shall laugh at all disaster, And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!” The merchant’s word Delighted the Master heard; For his heart was in his work, and the heart Giveth grace unto every Art. A quiet smile played round his lips, As the eddies and dimples … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 06/11/08: Michael McClure & Ray Manzarek

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A Marriage of Rock and Poetry Michael McClure, Ray Manzarek collaborate on stage, reflecting a new trend in poetry.  Oakland poet and playwright Michael McClure first met pianist Ray Manzarek in 1968, during a recording session for the Doors’ classic album “Waiting for the Sun.” Doors lead singer Jim Morrison introduced the two, starting a friendship and creative association that has lasted three decades. Their latest collaboration, “The Third Mind,” is a performance video-documentary featuring live concert footage of McClure reading his poems to the … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 07/30/08: Maya Angelou

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For Poetry Wednesday this week, I am posting two poems by Maya Angelou. The first one, Still I Rise, is from her book, Phenomenal Woman, and the other is called, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings from a book by the same  name. Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 08/12/09: Summer in the South

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Summer Charm by June Dudley Summer in the South (1903) by Paul Laurence Dunbar The oriole sings in the greening grove As if he were half-way waiting, The rosebuds peep from their hoods of green, Timid, and hesitating. The rain comes down in a torrent sweep And the nights smell warm and pinety, The garden thrives, but the tender shoots Are yellow-green and tiny. Then a flash of sun on a waiting hill, Streams laugh that erst were quiet, The sky smiles down with a … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 10/28/09: Jack Kerouac’s San Francisco Scene

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Jack Sheedy Jazz Band  Bert Pearl, Bill Dart, Jack Minger, Paul Miller, Pat Patton and Jack Sheedy. San Francisco Scene (The Beat Generation) By Jack Kerouac   Now it’s jazz, the place is roaring, all beautiful girls in there, one mad brunette at the bar drunk with her boys. One strange chick I remember from somewhere, wearing a simple skirt with pockets, her hands in there, short haircut, slouched, talking to everybody. Up and down the stairs they come. The bartenders are the regular band … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 11/28/2012: It’s The Journey That’s Important

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It’s The Journey That’s Important… By John McLeod Life, sometimes so wearying Is worth its weight in gold The experience of traveling Lends a wisdom that is old Beyond our ‘living memory’ A softly spoken prayer: “It’s the journey that’s important, Not the getting there!” Ins and outs and ups and downs Life’s road meanders aimlessly? Or so it seems, but somehow Leads us where we need to be, And being simply human We oft question and compare…. “Is the journey so important Or the … Continue reading →