“Song of Welcome” by Joseph Brodsky
Full-disclosure: I did not cook this asparagus. But I did assist with cooking in an actual industrial kitchen, and it was amazing.
“The Blue House” by Tomas Tranströmer
I had the chance to get dinner with an old friend today. We haven’t been out together in a long time, and I got to show her a bunch of my current haunts. It felt a bit like getting to know each other again —…
“Getting Where We’re Going” by John Brehm
One of my greatest flaws, according to close friends and people I’ve just met, is that I do not like concerts. Of course, I’m always willing to be persuaded — so maybe it is better stated that I have never been…
“Summer at North Farm” by Stephen Kuusisto
I was going for a walk with two of my sisters on a childhood trail when we jaunted across this adorable chalk art. While the summer is still around, I figured I wanted to get as much of the color of…
“Listen. Put on Morning” by W.S. Graham
I had the privilege of growing up next to a bike trail and creek, and I have more fond childhood memories of those trees and that creek than any other place. So when I moved to college I found the…
“Play Ball” by Shel Silverstein
I was parked outside my apartment chatting with a dear friend when I noticed this sign. I’ve never actually used the basketball hoop or lackluster tennis net enclosed by the fence, but the contrast between the bright color…
“Duncan” by Thom Gunn
Honestly, I needed a picture last night, and I wanted it to be colorful. I kept waiting for the right thing to catch my eye but I could not find it. I’m trying to avoid doing to many nature/flower shots because there is so much more to life…
“The Trickle-down theory of Happiness” by Philip Appleman
I haven’t been doing this for very long but I already feel like a broken record. Life comes in cycles though, and I guess one of mine is feeling disillusioned about the world…
“Persimmons” by Li-Young Lee
I don’t have the credentials to talk about this poem. The moments of interculturality and the brilliant imagery of the persimmon meld together a thought-provoking piece about love, family, language, oppression, and the interplay…
“Walking on Tiptoe” by Ted Kooser
It’s about dogs. My family is babysitting my friend’s puppy.