nature poem poetry rain rain dance storm

Rain Dancing!

RAIN! In honor of El Nino’s “moisture plume” that’s predicted to sweep into droughty California this weekend and next week, I’m posting a couple of rain dance poems. One was based on an authentic rain dance I was taught in Hawai’i. We hired this teacher and he came with his drum to work work the four of us who were sharing a house on Kaua’i. He played and we danced on the lanai, summoning the…

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Poetry Book Giveaway and Midsummer Metaphors

Thanks to all who participated in my Great Poetry Book Giveaway this year! I picked names out of the numerical hat and sent a copy of my Gods of Water and Air  to one winner and Stanley Kunitz’s book Passing Through. I noticed we all entered each other’s Poetry Book Giveaways. It was a pleasure to read blogs I hadn’t visited and learn about books I will now buy. In the giving spirit, I’m offering…

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John Clare nature poem spiritual poems

John Clare and the ladybug

English poet John Clare epitomizes for me something I’m often reaching for in my writing and occasionally dazzling into, in still and open moments. This poem, featured on Poetry Daily, amazes me, first into silence and then into writing. The meaning of “clock a clay,” as poet Susan Stewart tells us (she selected the poem for PD) comes from a rural Northhamptonshire belief. The idea is that you can tell time by counting the number…

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