tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29260876402242783632024-03-29T08:58:52.133-04:00Mark Bohrer's Green JournalOverwhelmed by how you feel about the climate crisis? Well, to paraphrase the Talmud: "It is not on you to complete the task of repairing the world, neither are you free to desist from it."
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Mark Bohrer is the current Poet Laureate of North Andover, Mass.
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Check out our local North Andover poetry connection on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/
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Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-37379089490794849702024-03-28T12:30:00.008-04:002024-03-29T08:56:36.104-04:00All-Veggie Chili Stew - Vegan!<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All-Veggie Chili Stew (variant of Mary Pritchard recipe) Serves 6-8</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZiCLDwXd0eDeASE_aJ8FVj8QfLao_c97yHt0XlDuVz21Gv5NdgM1r15KljHpWlGCKgjWFZXdPek9Rl3vZaLwhcqq0z9ka_Dp7FqsK2b4p90OLEQX1rpeY99pcOiNteXqEEvowERUDt5ljHmN9LjfR7sSN3xRzS7Vp22l5XtlmZiS08J3iDqwo2VlmgI/s4032/IMG_9749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZiCLDwXd0eDeASE_aJ8FVj8QfLao_c97yHt0XlDuVz21Gv5NdgM1r15KljHpWlGCKgjWFZXdPek9Rl3vZaLwhcqq0z9ka_Dp7FqsK2b4p90OLEQX1rpeY99pcOiNteXqEEvowERUDt5ljHmN9LjfR7sSN3xRzS7Vp22l5XtlmZiS08J3iDqwo2VlmgI/w400-h300/IMG_9749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Ingredients</u></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Veggies </span></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Note: cut all veggies (except eggplant) in large
pieces<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(~1”) to make a chunky stew</span></div><p></p></blockquote><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">3-4 yellow onions - chopped</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">8 cloves garlic - crushed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 medium-size eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch cubes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">eggplant can be substituted with another can of beans</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 large bell peppers – chopped</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 green, 1 red bell for colorful look</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">3-4 large carrots – peeled & sliced</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2-3 large celery stalks – sliced</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 cans (28 oz.) diced tomatoes (or equivalent fresh)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">(add other veggies of your choice)</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">Beans</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed & drained (or use
your favorite bean)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed & drained</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 cup (15 oz.) garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained</span></li></ul></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spices<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">olive oil</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1-2 tsp coarse salt</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 TBSP chili powder</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 TBSP cumin</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – finely chopped, with 2 tsp adobo
sauce (Goya is one brand)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 TBSP dried oregano</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 TBSP dried basil</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1-2 tsp black pepper (start off with one tsp)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 tsp fennel seeds</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley or combination of parsley
and cilantro</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">(optional) 1/2 cup fresh chopped dill</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 TBSP fresh lemon juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1-2 cups vegetable stock (as needed for liquid to cover
beans)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">(optional) 5 oz can of V8 juice (substitute 1 cup vegetable
stock and 2 TBSP tomato paste for V8 juice)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">(optional for topping when serving)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chopped scallions or chopped red onions</span></li></ul> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eggplant Prep<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(if
used)<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Place chopped eggplant in colander and sprinkle with coarse
salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let stand for 1 hour then pat dry.
(optional step)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium
heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sauté the eggplant until almost
tender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set aside.</span></li></ul></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Directions</u><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add
the onion and cook until becoming translucent.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add garlic for 1-2 minutes, add carrots, green peppers, and
celery and sauté until mostly cooked, but al dente.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add the canned tomatoes, spices, parsley and eggplant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for
15-20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add beans and chick-peas.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add vegetable stock and V8 juice (or veg stock and tomato
paste substitute) to have enough liquid.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add 1 to 2 tsp salt and ½ to 1 tsp pepper to taste.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cook for 15-20 minutes.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add chopped fresh dill (optional) and lemon juice and cook
for another 10 minutes.</span></li></ul></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Serve over white rice and serve with chopped cilantro, red
onion or scallions as toppings.</span></div>
<br /><p></p>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-23829819718898547012024-03-02T13:03:00.013-05:002024-03-15T09:27:24.773-04:00Tasty Thai Coconut Curry - Vegan!<div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhcpSLhgP5TFoqu7YuzyogiYlDsePqwQOXazUswtHLvCC7WY0Pg_FnD_YPRaojhiyBUflNNmKtwHzc7MBf4P9hEVHBk7CgFbWGMyeyYqknCLmMMH9htAFWoj9hhmfSRyc0mRN6Vhgfc76uGIHmkRB_j3xAVV6FCgs5bdRvFjFDF5Rc8eHz0gn7q2sLlE/s3499/Thai%20Curry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="3499" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhcpSLhgP5TFoqu7YuzyogiYlDsePqwQOXazUswtHLvCC7WY0Pg_FnD_YPRaojhiyBUflNNmKtwHzc7MBf4P9hEVHBk7CgFbWGMyeyYqknCLmMMH9htAFWoj9hhmfSRyc0mRN6Vhgfc76uGIHmkRB_j3xAVV6FCgs5bdRvFjFDF5Rc8eHz0gn7q2sLlE/s320/Thai%20Curry.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ingredients</span></b></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 onions – chopped<br />4 garlic cloves – diced or pressed<br />Olive oil<br />4 oz. Red Curry Paste (4 oz. jar – “Thai Kitchen” is one brand)<br />2 cans Coconut Milk (unsweetened) (Goya is good)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vegetable options</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Green pepper</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Red pepper</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peas (1/2 lb frozen)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">8 oz can sliced bamboo shoots</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">8 oz can sliced water chestnuts</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">14 oz can stir fry vegetables</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">8 oz can stir fry corn</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Any other vegetables that are handy!</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">28 oz can Diced Red Tomatoes<br />7 oz Baked Tofu (Plantspired t</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">eriyaki flavor </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">is one brand). Cut into bite size pieces (approx </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">½</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">”x½”).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Limes<br />3 tsp Salt<br />1 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (more or less as desired)<br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Directions</span></b></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cook onions in good amount of Olive Oil until they start to become translucent. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add Vegetables (except Diced Tomatoes), cover and cook on medium heat until Vegetables partially done</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add Red Curry Paste and red pepper flakes. </span></li><li>Mix into Onions, Garlic and Vegetables and cook for a few minutes so that Red Curry Paste is thoroughly mixed into Vegetables</li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add Can of Diced Tomatoes – use all of liquid</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add cut up Baked Tofu</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add Coconut Milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add 3 tsp Salt</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simmer until Vegetables done but still al dente</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Squeeze 1 whole lime into mixture & stir</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Serve on rice</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add squeeze from a wedge of lime to each bowl when serving</span></li></ul></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-33488755474198134642024-03-02T12:34:00.007-05:002024-03-15T12:36:22.137-04:00Best Lentil Soup!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNs9uxCnxcnC2xbs0uPmqmQdQVTsLBGHCbUs3JV-AM8SNU9SOk8gJHopet9VObkFgGfSHaP2LfoCOfDSSFNTEtqwG3mVXklKvPJgvt1D_pj-HcxtZ9bRsRUBj7za0orlQqAuh1kIR5Hf8KtffwGJbyzq68vgIceLHXBTdlEpJF3KH1emfowIQsOefmhg/s362/Best%20Lentil%20Soup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="362" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNs9uxCnxcnC2xbs0uPmqmQdQVTsLBGHCbUs3JV-AM8SNU9SOk8gJHopet9VObkFgGfSHaP2LfoCOfDSSFNTEtqwG3mVXklKvPJgvt1D_pj-HcxtZ9bRsRUBj7za0orlQqAuh1kIR5Hf8KtffwGJbyzq68vgIceLHXBTdlEpJF3KH1emfowIQsOefmhg/s320/Best%20Lentil%20Soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">Based on </span><a href="https://cookieandkate.com/best-lentil-soup-recipe/" style="text-align: left;">https://cookieandkate.com/best-lentil-soup-recipe/</a></span></span></u></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">INGREDIENTS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">¼ cup extra virgin olive oil</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 medium/large yellow or white onion, chopped</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 large carrots, peeled and chopped</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 teaspoons ground cumin</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 teaspoon curry powder</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ teaspoon dried thyme</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 cup brown or green lentils, picked over and rinsed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">4 cups vegetable broth</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 teaspoon salt, more to taste</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Freshly ground black pepper, to taste</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">16 oz chopped fresh kale (or collard greens), tough ribs removed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (½ to 1 medium lemon), to taste, add
squeeze to each bowl when serving</span></li></ul></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">INSTRUCTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.
One-fourth cup olive oil may seem like a lot, but it adds a lovely richness and
heartiness to this nutritious soup.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and carrot and cook,
stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about
5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add the garlic, cumin, curry powder and thyme. Cook until fragrant while
stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained diced tomatoes and
cook for a few more minutes, stirring often, in order to enhance their flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pour in the lentils, broth and the water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch
of red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise
heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce
the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the
lentils are tender but still hold their shape.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Securely fasten the lid,
protect your hand from steam with a tea towel placed over the lid, and purée
the soup until smooth. Pour the puréed soup back into the pot. (Or, use an
immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add the chopped greens and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the greens
have softened to your liking. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1
tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon
juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two
of red pepper flakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-5447741360980847282024-03-02T11:48:00.010-05:002024-03-29T08:58:20.742-04:00Chipotle Adobo Vegan Chili with Fritos!<p><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This smoky-flavored chili is so good you’ll never miss
the meat!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMrxhtjftduEyGXcIRWysP14RWDJgpNGBOpecoXW-7dXFZJbVsEgf0kA6qjglxgXi8t0B_zfZgwkij_cXDiT5UVsbdxD-5aAAbigDQ_HuyrvfIhpR64_9SeRUMQ7N1AdwBEXM5Lzz2ka8sHOMt-ua_3Lquc6Iww498MJfDcATTZn54T_-S2hMUZrYGHM/s1107/Vegan%20Chili.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1107" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMrxhtjftduEyGXcIRWysP14RWDJgpNGBOpecoXW-7dXFZJbVsEgf0kA6qjglxgXi8t0B_zfZgwkij_cXDiT5UVsbdxD-5aAAbigDQ_HuyrvfIhpR64_9SeRUMQ7N1AdwBEXM5Lzz2ka8sHOMt-ua_3Lquc6Iww498MJfDcATTZn54T_-S2hMUZrYGHM/w320-h240/Vegan%20Chili.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (enough to generously
cover bottom of pot)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 large white onions, chopped</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Cook until
softened and translucent</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">12 garlic cloves minced or crushed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Cook 1-2 minutes</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4 tsp. chili powder</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-list: Ignore; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cook 2-3 minutes
until oil has taken on the color of the chili</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 or 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (Goya), plus 3 tsp.
adobo sauce</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-list: Ignore; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;">Finely chop
chipotle peppers</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-list: Ignore; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;">Optional: add 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (we do!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 6-oz. can cup tomato paste</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Cook until it
starts to stick to bottom of pan when scraped with spatula (almost burned)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>28-oz. cans
diced tomatoes (can be fire roasted or not)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Gradually increase
heat until simmering. Cook 10 minutes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15-oz. cans
pinto beans, drained and rinsed <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tsp. salt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cups of water
to cover beans</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Simmer with
splatter screen at least 30 minutes, until thickened</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 lime</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Add juice of lime
after done cooking</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fritos or other salty tortilla chips</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Serve with Fritos
to mix in when eating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>Add squeeze of
lime to each bowl when serving</span></p>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-62444226016845596942024-03-02T11:34:00.022-05:002024-03-15T16:59:04.778-04:00Shepherds Pie with Vegan Beef!<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A vegetarian version that gives up
nothing but the meat! </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjijmypMM3iggqijf2sRHEucYOWIiBwiH9ig4jpo5s5r_xgiyMwno0EkMh_aqTR_kvtCWD7mEQolK3GT8zsZT_flpb6K0Y754GycNVlQybZUTUB7mGKKC_ZvGM6TtBU1-yfqTt8-O-RuWroS3Bllo3JN-i4B2TPGUy177YHYv0GzAvZm1BqoJCq5N1GT8k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1256" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjijmypMM3iggqijf2sRHEucYOWIiBwiH9ig4jpo5s5r_xgiyMwno0EkMh_aqTR_kvtCWD7mEQolK3GT8zsZT_flpb6K0Y754GycNVlQybZUTUB7mGKKC_ZvGM6TtBU1-yfqTt8-O-RuWroS3Bllo3JN-i4B2TPGUy177YHYv0GzAvZm1BqoJCq5N1GT8k=w320-h173" width="320" /></a></div><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">(based on the Basics
with Babish recipe)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Treat yourself to this easy, tasty
comforting classic – it just replaces the beef or lamb with vegan ground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It does use cheese, so it’s
vegetarian, not 100% vegan. But it’s a flavorful planet-friendly dish!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yield: 2 shepherd pies + 1 small shepherd pie</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 20pt;"><u>Ingredients</u></span></p>
</div>
<div class="WordSection2"><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the Stew</span></span></u></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Tbsp olive oil<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 large onions<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8-10 carrots<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ Tsp dried rosemary (or equivalent
fresh)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ Tsp dried thyme (or equivalent
fresh)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6 cloves garlic (peeled, and chopped/crushed)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 lbs Beyond Beef “Plant Based
Ground”<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 oz. can Tomato paste<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 Tbsp flour<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tsp salt<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 cups vegetable broth<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 cup Dark Irish Stout (or 1 add’l
cup of veg broth)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Tbsp Madeira wine (optional)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 lb frozen peas</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the Mashed Potatoes</span></span></u></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes (or subst. white
potatoes )<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3-4 oz aged white cheddar<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ cup plant-based spread (Smart
Balance) </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(or unsalted butter)</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 tsp salt<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">White or black pepper<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ cup soymilk or cow’s milk<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 egg </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">½ cup chopped chives (optional) </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 20pt;">Directions</span></u></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;">Mashed Potatoes</span></u></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Start by peeling and cutting 3 pounds
of Yukon Gold potatoes in half. Put them in a large sauce pot and cover with
cold water.</span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Boil for about 20 minutes, or until a
paring knife cuts through with no resistance. Drain and place back in the warm
pot.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Place over medium-low heat, stir
around and cook gently for about 1 minute.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Kill the heat and add 3-4 ounces
(depending on how cheesy you like your potatoes) aged Irish white cheddar, ½
cup Smart Balance spread (or unsalted butter), and ½ cup chives (optional).</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Using a masher, mash everything
together. Add 3 tsp salt and white or black pepper to season.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 1 egg to ½ cup of soymilk and beat
together. Add to the now-kind-of-cooled-down potatoes and give it one more mix
and mash.</span></span></li></ul></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;">Stew</span></u></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In a large skillet, cook the 2 lbs of
Beyond Beef “Plant Based Ground” and put aside. The vegan beef is cooked
separately and added at the end.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Finely chop 2 large onions. Peel and
cut 8-10 carrots bite size. Peel and finely chop/crush 4 cloves of garlic.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In a separate large skillet (we use a
13” stainless steel skillet), add 2 Tbsp of olive oil, add the chopped onion
and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent around the edges.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add the carrots and the chopped/crushed
garlic and sauté them for 2-3 min.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 1 6 oz. can of tomato paste and ½ tsp rosemary and ½ tsp thyme. Mix together and sauté for 2-3 minutes.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 3 Tbsp flour to the mixture and
mix until the raw flour is thoroughly mixed in.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 2 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup
of dark Irish Stout (or 1 cup of vegetable broth if add’l liquid needed)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 2 tsp salt</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Optional: add 2 Tbsp Madeira wine if
available</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add the previously cooked vegan beef. Mix thoroughly and cook for at least 4-5 minutes,
until thickened.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Add 1 lb frozen peas. Mix thoroughly
and cook for 4-5 minutes.</span></span></li></ul></span></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shepherd’s Pie Assembly<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spray 2 standard size 12" pie plates with non-stick spray. Spoon the stew mixture onto a pie
plate. Lastly, top with a layer of the mashed potatoes. Drop spoonfuls of the mashed
potatoes onto stew to make a layer, and then smooth out the potatoes with a spatula. If you
pile the mashed potatoes in one place they won’t spread without disturbing the
stew. Use a fork to rough up the potatoes to make sure there are enough nooks
and crannies that will brown and get crispy. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is usually enough extra stew and potatoes to make 1 more small pie.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Set the pie plate on a rimmed baking
sheet. Place in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Remove at the 15 minute mark
to top with more grated cheddar (optional) and place back in the oven for the
remaining 10 minutes. You can also broil it the last 2-3 minutes for extra
brown and crispy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-70277941941174652112024-02-18T07:46:00.006-05:002024-03-05T11:25:58.337-05:00After-Dickinson (poem)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Word from the Corner</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1816450388545210/">Shared on North Andover Poets Corner on FB</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few years ago, we watched the show Dickinson. I recommend it highly! If you are someone who loves poetry - someone who loves the power of words - you will be transported. It's really well done - there's a lot to like about it. It bends history - pretty far! - but best of all, it does so in artful ways that serve the drama - that open up Emily Dickinson, her life, her times and her words. I won't say more about it, other than the show - and the episode that included the history of an eclipse - inspired this poem today. Here it is.</span></p><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">_____________________________________ </span><p></p><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR9ErtrH1sCgUDaDeqQnXe0w1wARTWXDSogAqTXW0VQACm0GDoTV-gIuz2xvwscI9Thp00omZSUJx5L5EsNDr04Bzg-Mk-otnhdKx95ovlLUqRdT2cUKy0GtMwvr6zVo0mSyn4sgypyvxjPSYg2YL32CXUR7E1w4egGmmI5x9AgAJNSp1ngLQ-aC5DkA=s770" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="770" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR9ErtrH1sCgUDaDeqQnXe0w1wARTWXDSogAqTXW0VQACm0GDoTV-gIuz2xvwscI9Thp00omZSUJx5L5EsNDr04Bzg-Mk-otnhdKx95ovlLUqRdT2cUKy0GtMwvr6zVo0mSyn4sgypyvxjPSYg2YL32CXUR7E1w4egGmmI5x9AgAJNSp1ngLQ-aC5DkA=w294-h168" width="294" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>After-Dickinson</u></span></div><div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Poetry is best</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">done in private</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">out of the Light </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">done in a Dark Room</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">then destroyed</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">but remembered</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">like the Echo of Light </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">when an Eclipse burns</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">the After-Sun on the Eye </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">leaving a Ghost in the Dark </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">leaving the Phosphors</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">permanent on the sight –</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">leaving only the Light</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">of your Face.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: verdana;">After I wrote this, I found this one by Emily Dickinson:</i></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We grow accustomed to the Dark -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When Light is put away -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">To witness her Good bye -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A Moment - We uncertain step</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For newness of the night -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Then - fit our Vision to the Dark -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And meet the Road - erect -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And so of larger - Darknesses -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Those Evenings of the Brain -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When not a Moon disclose a sign -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Or Star - come out - within -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Bravest - grope a little -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And sometimes hit a Tree</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Directly in the Forehead -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But as they learn to see -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Either the Darkness alters -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Or something in the sight</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Adjusts itself to Midnight -</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And Life steps almost straight.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fr428</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufPC8Nbp8drH9zaspgsrD8NPJEBCgNKnkwvHUhkJCkThM3mWJXdZDTMNFFgZaYlUZX1gVP6jldN4TJ01cii9vmtpqjm7U63rtbd_SaInwIPBwsgz13ORRORqgEepP9yAPHGwxRcVNbDQ-Xi_jrM6vBIw75n15x9JTvyN0sgj1oOew_tbm7MNT3CLKw/s4032/IMG_3163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufPC8Nbp8drH9zaspgsrD8NPJEBCgNKnkwvHUhkJCkThM3mWJXdZDTMNFFgZaYlUZX1gVP6jldN4TJ01cii9vmtpqjm7U63rtbd_SaInwIPBwsgz13ORRORqgEepP9yAPHGwxRcVNbDQ-Xi_jrM6vBIw75n15x9JTvyN0sgj1oOew_tbm7MNT3CLKw/s320/IMG_3163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-54991122859846802042023-05-01T22:21:00.009-04:002023-05-07T08:29:52.693-04:00Great Barrier By Barbara Kingsolver<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3lR8GKjxwuMFFoNSIYuSg3lj_TSOrH_SZBq2AQy_nTpLyWXG5c3Yi7kxEVQn-dSZDQ6XroDFtzUQsriZsiS4L3UhitkNqBgN8BBWA3dmoaHK1gwedC3cvIJbAZMo1jPMb3r3hWsuLv2o/s1600/kingslover.new_.fc_.300.jpg" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3lR8GKjxwuMFFoNSIYuSg3lj_TSOrH_SZBq2AQy_nTpLyWXG5c3Yi7kxEVQn-dSZDQ6XroDFtzUQsriZsiS4L3UhitkNqBgN8BBWA3dmoaHK1gwedC3cvIJbAZMo1jPMb3r3hWsuLv2o/s1600/kingslover.new_.fc_.300.jpg" /></a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Great Barrier</span></p><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9i862" data-offset-key="cvaqs-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Barbara Kingsolver
The cathedral is burning. Absent flame or smoke,
stained glass explodes in silence, fractal scales
of angel damsel rainbow parrot. Charred beams
of blackened coral lie in heaps on the sacred floor,
white stones fallen from high places, spires collapsed
crushing sainted turtle and gargoyle octopus.
Something there is in my kind that cannot love
a reef, a tundra, a plain stone breast of desert, ever
quite enough. A tree perhaps, once recomposed
as splendid furniture. A forest after the whole of it
is planed to posts and beams and raised to a heaven
of earnest construction in the name of Our Lady.
All Paris stood on the bridges to watch her burning,
believing a thing this old, this large and beautiful
must be holy and cannot be lost. And coral temples
older than Charlemagne suffocate unattended,
bleach and bleed from the eye, the centered heart.
Lord of leaves and fishes, lead me across this great divide.
Teach me how to love the sacred places, not as one
devotes to One who made me in his image and is bound
to love me back. I mean as a body loves its microbial skin,
the worm its nape of loam, all secret otherness forgiven.
Love beyond anything I will ever make of it.
(from Time Magazine, September 23, 2019)
<a href="https://time.com/5669066/barbara-kingsolver-great-barrier-poem/">https://time.com/5669066/barbara-kingsolver-great-barrier-poem/</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="color: #1d2129;">To learn more
about how we can save the Great Barrier Reef go to </i><i style="color: #1d2129;"><a href="https://www.barrierreef.org/">https://www.barrierreef.org/</a></i></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9i862" data-offset-key="a5m4s-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmQskrSHvG59fWQa2IdIRd6NOOjRFG8j0rRl3Qe6ONzJi1-jOLhNLLrecI4dOBXPCeTVfTFx992jtMGcjAAsO8b7zKsj9RwW4vPMOwXYXmspCCefAcdEg_WZTSqm6wrIQ_8zWzxWXuhgX/s1600/Barbara+Kingsolver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1484" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmQskrSHvG59fWQa2IdIRd6NOOjRFG8j0rRl3Qe6ONzJi1-jOLhNLLrecI4dOBXPCeTVfTFx992jtMGcjAAsO8b7zKsj9RwW4vPMOwXYXmspCCefAcdEg_WZTSqm6wrIQ_8zWzxWXuhgX/s320/Barbara+Kingsolver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-52122609328785616132022-08-11T07:43:00.014-04:002022-09-17T14:24:26.426-04:00 The Beloved Circle (poem)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zrJveiELUveUIfXUQshisxleBH2koVmiWZdh7jays7Ol9Qp5DCW7W11NeXyMhwCAjNGU9NkjEnqB8fMczW5S9qaM2cRZBC-RaFMsWxOoujOE4Y-jBRRQGBYU4eh2y3weI36walGq_yKadeMDElnEkfC7KcW2q3xdxCJ6qgTvc-ExxVgvGsLWrn8VXA/s5472/80014737_l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zrJveiELUveUIfXUQshisxleBH2koVmiWZdh7jays7Ol9Qp5DCW7W11NeXyMhwCAjNGU9NkjEnqB8fMczW5S9qaM2cRZBC-RaFMsWxOoujOE4Y-jBRRQGBYU4eh2y3weI36walGq_yKadeMDElnEkfC7KcW2q3xdxCJ6qgTvc-ExxVgvGsLWrn8VXA/w400-h266/80014737_l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> <u style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Beloved Circle</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">(A Poem In 2 Parts)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">For Jenn</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u>Part 1: Food For The
People<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Breathe in – Breathe out
– <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A warm wind blows – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A warm wind breathes through
us all – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A warm wind carries us out
into the world – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The wind of the world
carries far over deep waters –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The wind of the world gathers
the waters from deep, bottomless seas – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">It calls forth faith.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath of earth’s
creation flows over the earth – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath of earths’
creation carries hidden seeds as it spreads over the lands –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath of earth’s
creation carries the sweetness of the flower within – </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> so ready to bloom in its
path –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">It summons hope.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath of the lands
and the wind of the waters seek one another as they travel and do their work –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath of the lands and
the wind of the waters greet and join hands – they dance –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">They show how to love.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath and the wind move
together over the lands –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath and the wind spread
a dew that covers the lands –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">They show their joy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath and the wind
bring forth the grasses and trees and flowers, </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> alive, springing forth in fullness
– <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath and the wind
greet and join making the shape of all peoples –</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> the people step onto the land
–<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The breath and the wind finish
their work and rise into the calm of the sky – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The dew lifts and
transforms its fullness into manna –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Manna for the people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">From the people, someone
– just one of many – is there walking on the grass –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">From the people, someone
– just one of many – sees the manna, bends and gathers it for the people –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Someone – just one of
many – is named Jenn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She turns to the people with
what she has found and speaks, clear for all to hear –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">“Hey! Manna! Cool. I
think it’s pretty deep. Pretty sure on that. Hey beloved, want some?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The people are
nourished. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The people laugh and are glad. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u>Part 2: Tell
Me Who Is Beloved<br /></u><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Beloved?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tell me, who is
beloved?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in?</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in the
circle?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy of
love?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">The ancient word.
Beloved.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">The ancient word.
Friend.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">The ancient word,
to the root. Free.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in the
same clan?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy of
love?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in the
circle?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy of
freedom?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is beloved?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">You are. You are.
You are.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">No one may be kept out.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Draw the circle
wide.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Draw the circle
to the horizon and the open sky.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">No one may be
kept out.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Open the door to
all.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">The door is open.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">All may enter
freely and be at ease.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in the
same clan?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is in the
circle?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy of
freedom?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is worthy of
love?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Who is beloved?</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">You are. You are.
You are.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">The ancient word.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Free.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Friend.</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Beloved.</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>by Mark Bohrer, for
Jenn</i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>8/10/2022</i></div>
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Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-18702807994699517612022-02-06T15:51:00.009-05:002022-02-06T15:55:23.861-05:00My Broadway Song: Shouldn't it? A Manifesto in Song<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Broadway Song</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqEoXMRDkw9xlFapYjcHUEj6D_Kb_SCQdIIPvUFAKi_YPbolmIJjb4xXuScgawNqCWBuDU5sejF7Ipw1aRuE--dZzDlg6DMGBQ9B2vmUDPzTUMg0uAiBbjPy75ja0my999x4FYZnRc9m5Wu5Evsu9IwM4d0SoJDNURvLz-jIRRxMmGOu28aFt5dVU1Ag=s2000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2000" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqEoXMRDkw9xlFapYjcHUEj6D_Kb_SCQdIIPvUFAKi_YPbolmIJjb4xXuScgawNqCWBuDU5sejF7Ipw1aRuE--dZzDlg6DMGBQ9B2vmUDPzTUMg0uAiBbjPy75ja0my999x4FYZnRc9m5Wu5Evsu9IwM4d0SoJDNURvLz-jIRRxMmGOu28aFt5dVU1Ag=w400-h210" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1295270703870830/permalink/4884515334946331/">Shared on Rockport Poetry on Facebook</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did I find myself up at midnight...with the thought: "What is poetry? What should it do?" Well, if you ask this question, the first thing you know is "Yes, you're a poet!"</span></p><p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">But here's how I found myself facing this question at midnight, and how I answered it:</span></p><p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">You never know where inspiration is going to come from, or where it's going to take you. Bob Whelan invited me to feature at this week's Rockport Poetry event, this coming Wednesday. I wanted to write something new for that evening. Well, I did, but not based on the original idea I had in mind. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This Friday night, I watched the documentary "Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened". It's about the making and subsequent history of the 1981 Sondheim-Prince musical "Merrily We Roll Along". The musical featured young performers - ranging from 16 to 25 years old - all who had never performed on Broadway. Steven Sondheim and Hal Prince were at the height of their powers after a string of musical successes like Company, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Merrily We Roll Along" closed after only 16 performances. Audiences got up and walked out during the show. It ended the Sondheim-Prince collaboration and almost drove Sondheim to quit musical theatre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The documentary about "Merrily We Roll Along" is beautiful and touching since it not only has great footage from the tryouts and rehearsals (captured as part of an ABC special that was never released), it follows the life path of these young performers over the next 25 years of their lives. A good number stayed in theatre, some with great careers on Broadway. Most did stay for a while but then found other paths, other callings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But all were deeply affected by this wonderful life-changing experience - that ended in critical failure. They went from the heights of their dream together to the depths of rejection and disappointment. As young people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ok, it was midnight when I had the thought, "What is poetry? What should it do?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I finished the thought with "It should do something..." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From there, I found myself writing a Broadway musical number! Here are the lyrics. I am going to sing this on Wednesday. It may or my not turn out to be art, but I bet it will be worth tuning in for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope to see you there. Look for event info from our host Bob Whelan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOdurZ3ZGXG2qyvfW24MGnmWYRyNWmPaRVm9KaCD40U2Dd-RYnTo1uYOEqq2jib6G5P9lX-oYnUTOhnjag880xbXbsuNJrDkPLMdC5Mlq_ltPUPxTCYSZX-VRQ5r42Q7dA4OIAH_EsTYQlFCYBILW3-yhnh6Gw0-dDI-cqyFU94lYUeXcia2scORfTZQ=s821" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="821" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOdurZ3ZGXG2qyvfW24MGnmWYRyNWmPaRVm9KaCD40U2Dd-RYnTo1uYOEqq2jib6G5P9lX-oYnUTOhnjag880xbXbsuNJrDkPLMdC5Mlq_ltPUPxTCYSZX-VRQ5r42Q7dA4OIAH_EsTYQlFCYBILW3-yhnh6Gw0-dDI-cqyFU94lYUeXcia2scORfTZQ=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-84751014278207288722022-02-05T17:51:00.009-05:002022-08-21T13:24:18.910-04:00The real thing we call God (poem)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Word from the Corner</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1812073958982853/">Shared on North Andover Poets Corner on Facebook</a></span></p><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="fbe7c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fbe7c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div class="bi6gxh9e" data-block="true" data-editor="f44g1" data-offset-key="f9gtg-0-0" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f9gtg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f9gtg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I write a number of poems about God, which is a little weird since I'm not sure I believe in God. To be philosophical, I do believe in Love and Justice as informing principles of the world, as creative essences of reality, the fundamental reality, as real as sunlight, quarks and dark energy. So yes, I believe in God. And of course, so goes the joke, I'm glad that God believes in me.</span></div></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" data-block="true" data-editor="f44g1" data-offset-key="7p5aq-0-0" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p5aq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7p5aq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I read this one last night at </span><span class="diy96o5h" data-offset-key="7p5aq-1-0" end="41" spellcheck="false" start="24" style="background-color: var(--text-highlight); font-family: inherit;">Lee Eric Freedman</span><span data-offset-key="7p5aq-2-0" style="font-family: inherit;">'s ReachArts/Swampscott First Friday Open Mic, a great open mic, with poetry & music.</span></div></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" data-block="true" data-editor="f44g1" data-offset-key="f98v4-0-0" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f98v4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f98v4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote this in December 2019 - before Covid. Strangely, it makes more sense now. May it serve. Peace.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">___________________________________________</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM7zYe931tKsKjQgYk9TqDshGNswhuo-FCeB9N7yKTTbk5xbyXh-s5oWMfFu9x9ePtYMT_MgJsykfnSI5QfmZ1IDI1NKEvDu7bnGmB8Me2HFaoeNlSpHyw3J2PlK1g-mF9QQeOVVif0A55-LXcXX0v0YtK6a1IENBy3CJyXFQPzYvIV-nS9ixE9ncJug=s3456" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3456" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM7zYe931tKsKjQgYk9TqDshGNswhuo-FCeB9N7yKTTbk5xbyXh-s5oWMfFu9x9ePtYMT_MgJsykfnSI5QfmZ1IDI1NKEvDu7bnGmB8Me2HFaoeNlSpHyw3J2PlK1g-mF9QQeOVVif0A55-LXcXX0v0YtK6a1IENBy3CJyXFQPzYvIV-nS9ixE9ncJug=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>The real thing we call God</u></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The real thing we call God keeps reappearing
reappearing every time we give up
reappearing every time we say
God help me, I can’t go on
Every time we are worn out by the friction
of other people
saying no purpose, no purpose
worn out by the friction of life
</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">worn out by the friction of ourselves</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">saying no purpose, no purpose
Wait in the field of dust
in the field of dust, wait
let the rain fall
let it clear the dust
let it clear the field
let the water run</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">let the river run
let it carry you to the quiet
let the silt find its place
let the water find its home
let the water clear
let the water still
wait wait
When we stand or sit
empty empty of this life
when we carry nothing
but this heavy emptiness
when we carry nothing
the real thing appears
God God
thank you
How can God appear out of nothing?
wait wait</span></span>
</div><div style="color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">--Mark Bohrer December 2019</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Like this poem? </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Leave a thank you tip here: https://ko-fi.com/markjbohrer</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Thank you for your support!</span></span></div></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-27573441492534969672022-01-02T09:22:00.013-05:002022-01-12T09:38:52.056-05:00Unequal Or Equal (poem)
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9i862" data-offset-key="cvaqs-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1d2129; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Unequal or Equal</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1d2129; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's my protest poem - </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1d2129; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In memory of Blaine Hebbel.
With thanks. Nobody did what you did.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Do you mind
if I tip
the scales, press
a thumb, place
a weight on the
balance of
my side?
It will tip
my way –
Is that ok?
Do you mind?
Do you mind
if I start
the race halfway
to the prize?
Why, we still have the same chance –
We start the same.
We stand
side by side.
Ready? You have two laps to go.
If I have
but one </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">–</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you mind?
Do you mind
if my house is on
this side
of the tracks?
I really don’t do
well with smoke.
Do you mind?
If things are </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">“equaled up” –
do I have to give you
what’s already mine?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is that </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">what you say?
If you get
won’t you take
this and that
from me and mine?
If you get
won’t I have to give?
Would that </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">be fair?
If we don’t </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">– </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you mind?
Oh, and by the way
if someone asks about
this unequal-equal thing –
I never said this.
We never spoke.
Do you mind?
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">
1/2/2022 North Andover
<br /></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH4Nmn4Anc1b3trAMBKHlPu5mvry3g1FRrmzW4pOqZjyCa4a-KwR13zLVL0_-1hmteGRtHByzIG94K6Pz4agouuFzMG-283McN4elXH6N-TNyQkd0x0hWuOjWwIjk_a4eu-oxwA0bAfsO_ojAuXPNKzGVwXqEfeuOIuRyKEO5BSE2Qgmxt4ekxme-nmw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH4Nmn4Anc1b3trAMBKHlPu5mvry3g1FRrmzW4pOqZjyCa4a-KwR13zLVL0_-1hmteGRtHByzIG94K6Pz4agouuFzMG-283McN4elXH6N-TNyQkd0x0hWuOjWwIjk_a4eu-oxwA0bAfsO_ojAuXPNKzGVwXqEfeuOIuRyKEO5BSE2Qgmxt4ekxme-nmw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Blaine Hebbel </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>in 2018 at the Walnut Street Cafe</i></div><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></div></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-54564546830499791372021-11-21T21:27:00.029-05:002021-11-27T09:10:42.959-05:00The Power of Poetry - Holy Inspiration - South Church Faith Forum<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>The Power of
Poetry: Holy Inspiration</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today I was
invited to speak at South Church Andover’s Faith Forum. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Faith Forum is a discussion group
held before church most Sundays. The discussion topics may focus on readings and stories from the Bible, or books on spiritual and religious themes. Other times people
bring topics of social or climate justice to discuss. South Church Andover is
an open and affirming, progressive and non-dogmatic Christian church. My wife Debbie and I are members of South Church, and have been for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This week I was asked to talk about the power of poetry, and how it speaks to the spirit. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I opened with my poem "Church Hour". </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">This poem was written on a church bulletin while sitting in South Church before the Sunday service started, listening to the choir and organist rehearse, the indistinct background talk of friends greeting one another, the swirl of people gathering in faith. If you ever see me scribbling notes while sitting in church, it's usually because something has inspired me! I shared this poem with Pastor Dana, and then had the privilege and joy of reading it a few months later in front of the church as part of service!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.markbohrer.us/2021/11/church-hour-poem.html"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Church Hour (poem) link</b></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Where does
great poetry come from? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And why does
great poetry often have a spiritual dimension? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is
something I’ve heard from a number of poets – and I hear this from people who I
think are among the best –<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In answer to
the question, where does a great poem come from? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The poet’s
answer: “I have no idea where it comes from. I just write it down.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That’s the
way it often feels for me. It feels like some of my poems come from out in the
world somewhere, or from another world, another voice speaking through me as the
poet. Sometimes I have this feeling of “being written onto”. A few times for me it has even been an almost overwhelming physical sensation. It is a loss of
self – a loss of self and a connection to the transcendent. It is sometimes a
feeling of connection to God, which for me is the spirit in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m not
saying it always feels like this when writing poetry. Sometimes writing poetry
is like building a piece of fine furniture – it takes some inspiration, careful
craft, the right tools, time to work, and voila, hopefully a beautiful and
useful thing. But there are those rare times that, as a poet, I can say I’ve
had the feeling of being spoken to, pressed upon by mysterious energy and
forces. And all I can do is write it down. (From there, i</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">t takes some some work to finish it, as even the most inspired poem is usually not born fully realized!)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the kind
of poetry where the poet's job is to listen – to be attuned – to be like an
antenna picking up a distant signal that suddenly comes through loud and clear.
Sometimes so loud and clear that it hurts and must be written down, captured,
to make sense of what just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this
feeling, this occurrence, is the foundation for poetry of the spirit. I thought
I would share some of my poems that touch on God and spirituality. Here are two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.markbohrer.us/2021/11/waiting-in-colonial-churchyard-poem.html"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Waiting In The Colonial Churchyard (poem) link</b></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.markbohrer.us/2021/11/surprised-poem.html"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Surprised (poem) link</b></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also invited my friend and poet Bob Whelan to speak and read a few of his poems, which he did, wonderfully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drawing from other poets, I read the
poem <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44395/gods-grandeur"><b>God's
Grandeur</b></a> (link) by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and talked a little about his life as a poet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My closing words were this poem: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.markbohrer.us/2021/11/prayer-of-rivers-and-land-poem.html" style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Prayer Of The Rivers And The Land (poem) link</b></a></p>Mark Bohrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05216852457423198481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-50616060695566458572021-11-21T21:26:00.005-05:002024-01-07T12:55:21.908-05:00Prayer Of The Rivers And The Land (poem)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Prayer Of The Rivers And The Land</u></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKIjp0M0gAQfzV2TyAygYDlhI2OZ8I7o8rCPEC56LvnmT-P5tY1Z5QZKBK6R_RhzBkLqviQd1l70jYR-Nppiv9cKRm1dAsIFMnlkjyWzZ2Cir8oIeSt1BG0p2xpEZ5FiqkcOPALn7eaqv5jQLGVk-CRpWElkUW2OEKaTLETrNgQHXV3KB0jxqLo67Zuw=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1712" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKIjp0M0gAQfzV2TyAygYDlhI2OZ8I7o8rCPEC56LvnmT-P5tY1Z5QZKBK6R_RhzBkLqviQd1l70jYR-Nppiv9cKRm1dAsIFMnlkjyWzZ2Cir8oIeSt1BG0p2xpEZ5FiqkcOPALn7eaqv5jQLGVk-CRpWElkUW2OEKaTLETrNgQHXV3KB0jxqLo67Zuw=w411-h489" width="411" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twin rivers of love and justice<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">flow from the source mountain.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They nourish the parched land.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They bring life to where it had given up hope.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Waters of life they are,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">surely as the water we drink.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twin rivers of love and justice<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">travel over common ground.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They give shape to the ground between us.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They make the land.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">This land is a good place to stand together,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">in fair difference and shared purpose.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twin rivers of love and justice<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">travel arm in arm, courses entwined.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They entwine in the valley below the source mountain,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">as they carry us to the pacific sea.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twin rivers of love and justice – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">May you bring life to our dry hearts. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">May we be ready to receive your waters,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and not turn away from your courses.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">May we be ready to drink deep from your waters of life.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twin rivers of love and justice<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">bring us strength and resolve,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">carry us in your ease.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i>January 2016 North Andover, Mass.<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Copyright by Mark Bohrer</i></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGeJyUHjHxpiOQJbs5OoNOtcG892t549V8YOCgFIEl2Qpf1JnY2vsQsxR7tugIEoksJDMnBwHtRL5-pGsJGLeHZ4pQXymKqZDuS6V6KQGf723E3F2VJqDI_MGrq6tbc0t9BPHQ4jpcDLEYvxnNSRnRp9xvezgYZnX5dcg_sK3gZIqBzW44REqzhwt8MA=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGeJyUHjHxpiOQJbs5OoNOtcG892t549V8YOCgFIEl2Qpf1JnY2vsQsxR7tugIEoksJDMnBwHtRL5-pGsJGLeHZ4pQXymKqZDuS6V6KQGf723E3F2VJqDI_MGrq6tbc0t9BPHQ4jpcDLEYvxnNSRnRp9xvezgYZnX5dcg_sK3gZIqBzW44REqzhwt8MA=w419-h314" width="419" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span><p></p><div><br /></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-38361565053073758262021-11-21T21:06:00.010-05:002024-01-07T12:54:14.091-05:00Surprised (poem)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Surprised</u></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg43hiPS6GDVOb1XHchAfGFflgNKtnQpvNw1R9vx7kPGOzi7EKkm5hQmxIVhCNQ8p-XqTRd9w12bik5vc7NcRn6acyqfbloobPO8J0_336ZK04gIRTJw8r-6VgHQFcRX9b7XZ2LSP3o4NMGwnxH6EYloOQ__gXQ9ZpjRIdyuqStTC2b3GdKwT0ZovCaUA=s3001" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="3001" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg43hiPS6GDVOb1XHchAfGFflgNKtnQpvNw1R9vx7kPGOzi7EKkm5hQmxIVhCNQ8p-XqTRd9w12bik5vc7NcRn6acyqfbloobPO8J0_336ZK04gIRTJw8r-6VgHQFcRX9b7XZ2LSP3o4NMGwnxH6EYloOQ__gXQ9ZpjRIdyuqStTC2b3GdKwT0ZovCaUA=w536-h187" width="536" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God is surprised <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">by what takes place.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aren’t you?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next turn of events,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God knows not.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">He wants to find out.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don’t you?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Otherwise, She might say,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">what would be the point?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">If there was no choice about it,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God would not want that world –<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">if it were all pre-ordained, pre-cast.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So instead – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God is surprised.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s so much more fun<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to know not<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">how the dice will finish their roll.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Will good come out on top?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or will it need another try?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God wants to find out.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don’t you? </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">That’s the reason <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">All was started.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God wanted to find out<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">what this world might be – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">if given the chance.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">What we might be – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">if given the choice.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Isn’t it surprising that God – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">All Knowing, All Powerful,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">All Omniscient, All Omnipotent – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yah, yah, we’ve heard all of that, all of that –<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">so isn’t it surprising<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">that what happens next,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God knows not.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Think about it – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">when we say that God <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">has infinite knowledge and power – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">it’s like saying that the ocean <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">is infinitely wet<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">just because it holds all the water.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Surprise.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God is still surprised.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even with all of this all-ness,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God needs to let it play out – <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">wants to see what happens.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And hopes someday<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to be pleasantly surprised<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">when good comes out on top.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i>September 2014 North Andover, Mass.<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright by Mark Bohrer</i><i> </i></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmDzFmhIi3vXzYl_KKZIbtLlRqMiLXfWqnB-RfPaTDRyEOUs_c7pG_bkH3M0MN8SKxVRXzWOWU3ol9MjWWmDkC_Apd2W3_sQHmoWC-LorjoMsa1KJTEVpuZ2UavCAISa7YE_U7cse9sWbrPYMAeUNfoQ92alOC3gMOC4uOlMhv5YpEpr0-xTSvX0dgKg=s2567" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="2567" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmDzFmhIi3vXzYl_KKZIbtLlRqMiLXfWqnB-RfPaTDRyEOUs_c7pG_bkH3M0MN8SKxVRXzWOWU3ol9MjWWmDkC_Apd2W3_sQHmoWC-LorjoMsa1KJTEVpuZ2UavCAISa7YE_U7cse9sWbrPYMAeUNfoQ92alOC3gMOC4uOlMhv5YpEpr0-xTSvX0dgKg=w465-h222" width="465" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><div><br /></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-12452850103411528752021-11-21T20:47:00.004-05:002024-01-07T11:44:04.532-05:00Waiting In The Colonial Churchyard (poem)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Waiting In The Colonial Churchyard</u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSoc5ABllq00u8ZxGeMYgH_RfNmgFvdC59Xf1cZNLK6vwGPaNot7LtrEN6E4A7pZCQYjZRthV1CJCUXiky5AbuSVtc4GHbGpyg8y0_XtlQ1vc9Ri_45ipBa-8ubHZAO5i48bS3jBhY2JOs1SV-1-pL3TL-SV3YC2RZcCj72EhTWW7LwAUvgzbKOPFCAA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSoc5ABllq00u8ZxGeMYgH_RfNmgFvdC59Xf1cZNLK6vwGPaNot7LtrEN6E4A7pZCQYjZRthV1CJCUXiky5AbuSVtc4GHbGpyg8y0_XtlQ1vc9Ri_45ipBa-8ubHZAO5i48bS3jBhY2JOs1SV-1-pL3TL-SV3YC2RZcCj72EhTWW7LwAUvgzbKOPFCAA=w397-h529" width="397" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Waiting in the churchyard<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">For something to save me<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Waiting in the churchyard<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stillness comes to me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is the quiet steady God of Franklin and Jefferson<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Persistent as the field grass<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good unbidden, though not undeserved<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mine to have, yours as well<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God in the world<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">To be gathered like wild wheat<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nature’s honey or free grown grapes<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like the colonist’s self-reliance<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am better saved if I save myself<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">But isn’t that gift of salvation<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still freely provided, wildly sown for me?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">To be saved from myself, by myself<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God still rightly gets the kudos<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God in the world<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God of the world<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God for the world<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God in us<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God of us<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">God for us<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stillness in the churchyard is what I see<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Quiet goodness is what I feel<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am glad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i>June 2014 North Andover, Mass.<br /></i></span><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Copyright by Mark Bohrer</i></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-56307947786855050482021-11-21T20:35:00.011-05:002024-02-16T11:35:44.944-05:00Church Hour (poem)<p><u style="font-family: verdana;">Church Hour</u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVYlMC9LvPB0dccQ7Jce9QtFp_nu7V4gpj3L5w8-96qRbAhKTLUj8ywhSyT2pwXWnSr5v8udMvNXUJfudI_p-udEZIBJMTAxie5JUDaLDGMF14LH3SCkZulGUg9U_KPOc7VtcuhRJ1HzPaRlC0WCB6X2bbdG1m5g1FLgWcgFt21j6Ka2EUCUz2UdBjqQ/s2857/South%20Church%20Interior.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="2857" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVYlMC9LvPB0dccQ7Jce9QtFp_nu7V4gpj3L5w8-96qRbAhKTLUj8ywhSyT2pwXWnSr5v8udMvNXUJfudI_p-udEZIBJMTAxie5JUDaLDGMF14LH3SCkZulGUg9U_KPOc7VtcuhRJ1HzPaRlC0WCB6X2bbdG1m5g1FLgWcgFt21j6Ka2EUCUz2UdBjqQ/w568-h218/South%20Church%20Interior.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This one hour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This view from the center</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A feeling of movement all around</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But here, this calm center</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Around which everything pivots</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The center of this week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The center of this wheel</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The center holds</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel it now</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Centripetal force now</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not the common opposite</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here things don’t fly apart</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">They come together</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like the sun with his careful hold</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On those wanderers in the far sky</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">He holds, she holds, they hold</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The spirit holds</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This calming center</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Such jovial gravity </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fills and holds this quiet center</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">All at once</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Joyous, brimming, bursting, buzzing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Glowing, swelling, soaring, singing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Joyous </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Together</span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i>June 2014 North Andover, Mass.</i></span></p><p><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Copyright by Mark Bohrer</i></p><p><span><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">PS <span style="background-color: white;">Thi</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">s was written on a church bulletin while sitting in South Church before the Sunday service started, listening to the choir and organist rehearse, the indistinct background talk of friends greeting one another, the swirl of people gathering in faith. If you ever see me scribbling notes while sitting in church, it's usually because something has inspired me! I shared this poem with Pastor Dana, and then had the privilege and joy of reading it a few months later in front of the church as part of service!</span></i></span></p>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-75562626436843256542020-10-10T11:21:00.033-04:002023-06-12T11:48:15.740-04:00When You Knelt and Kissed The Stage At Madison Square Garden<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="d20un-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d20un-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d20un-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The Word from the Corner</b></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d20un-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: right;"><span data-offset-key="d20un-0-0"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1471428893047363"><i>Posted on North Andover Poets Corner</i></a></span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="18dkl-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="18dkl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="18dkl-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is something I really like about artists who - no matter how amazing their gifts or abilities - are most in touch with what inspires THEM. And find ways to express that. Last fall we saw Brandi Carlile at Madison Square Garden. At the start of the concert, she paid respect to the place, the history of the performers before her, the audience, to the art of performance, to the music. This poem was inspired by Brandi and band that night.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="538sa-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="538sa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="538sa-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">________________________________</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="9m1dv-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9m1dv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9m1dv-0-0"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EfNub4rIC1YrtjdDdP5ZhRebvIFxn2Jt-5CpmbE0qCIQYdAPBs2aUHYX4VPqFbs-gpJqw5cqlxAOSzdOlXbqTMbkH1JP7hKRA6-bGik70UcxNjQeMd1EUDV7hDf3gF6ZbC8NBkkmfVMYLUKo9ZR9mHhFO9elcPSP6azIC4iuwKXjQrF8j7fKbOe0_w/s1067/Brandi-at-MSG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1067" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EfNub4rIC1YrtjdDdP5ZhRebvIFxn2Jt-5CpmbE0qCIQYdAPBs2aUHYX4VPqFbs-gpJqw5cqlxAOSzdOlXbqTMbkH1JP7hKRA6-bGik70UcxNjQeMd1EUDV7hDf3gF6ZbC8NBkkmfVMYLUKo9ZR9mHhFO9elcPSP6azIC4iuwKXjQrF8j7fKbOe0_w/w400-h211/Brandi-at-MSG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="fstl-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fstl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>When You Knelt and Kissed The Stage At Madison Square Garden</u></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="ue37-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px;"><p style="position: relative;"><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Today is your first headline show<br /></i></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We are in this hall<br /></i></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hallowed by music<br /></i></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Music that raised the rafters above<br /></i></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We still hear the echo</i></span></span></p></div></blockquote><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="1vjkk" data-offset-key="ue37-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ue37-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I bow before no one
Though I worship the ground
On which you walk
I tell myself again
I will not bow
Before you
You and twins and band bound onstage
To cheers, applause, the roar
I am with the multitude
Then you stop
You kneel facing us
You kneel to the stage
You kiss the stage
I know what you’re doing
I know what this is
You bow before the holy
You hear the echoes of the voices
Hallowing this place
You kiss the stage
Now I wish to bow
I bow
Only before the god
That you bow before
Who is your god?
Who is your muse?
We seek the same god
We seek the same muse
In the hall tonight
You kiss the stage
You join the multitude
Let us pray
</span></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thank you Brandi Carlile and band for that night<br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Yes, she did this<br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Madison Square Garden, New York City September 14, 2019</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>PS This show was the first time my wife and I saw Brandi Carlile perform. It was the beginning for us of many shows hearing and appreciating Brandi and band.</i></span></span></span></p></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ue37-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXAGQXGuVBIBTGScrOfk9-lR3U-XJl9JU5eyJrVijQ4oKqaURVrZUM6WzvkEffAV-0UT8oz9abxDGH3lFxW9UT6b1gfJ1fZdLWJDLt7-cRCOWqpfeH3NAmUBgIcl2OlGMkh5rCGOBkTZP/s2048/IMG_6342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="2048" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXAGQXGuVBIBTGScrOfk9-lR3U-XJl9JU5eyJrVijQ4oKqaURVrZUM6WzvkEffAV-0UT8oz9abxDGH3lFxW9UT6b1gfJ1fZdLWJDLt7-cRCOWqpfeH3NAmUBgIcl2OlGMkh5rCGOBkTZP/w400-h231/IMG_6342.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0North Andover, MA 01845, USA42.698702399999988 -71.135057514.388468563821142 -106.2913075 71.00893623617884 -35.9788075tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-67721179833274336742020-09-26T08:57:00.003-04:002020-09-26T08:57:37.713-04:00Connected - Poem - The Word from the Corner<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Word from the Corner</span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1459608357562750/">posted on Facebook North Andover Poets Corner</a></span></span></p><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="fbe7c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fbe7c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fbe7c-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Writing poetry is simply about paying attention. It's like praying, except you're praying to the world. Sometimes the world prays back. Here's a poem that I wrote in 2017 that got lost in my papers, and for some reason I thought about it this week. Luckily, I found it. The world prayed back. </span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="f8arq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f8arq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f8arq-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't get distracted. Pay attention. We're going to need our full attention. You know what I'm talking about. Strength. Resolve. Peace.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3ds7o-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">___________________________________________</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d5hqk-0-0" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Connected</span></span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="463l-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="463l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="463l-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every pore</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="6vf5r-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6vf5r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6vf5r-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">every cell</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="2t1v8-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2t1v8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2t1v8-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">every breath</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="aqhdn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aqhdn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="aqhdn-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">every heartbeat</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="q6gp-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="q6gp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="q6gp-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">connects me to all that is.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="e8q44-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e8q44-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e8q44-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I spin</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="6igc1-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6igc1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6igc1-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">is it I who turn</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="fmj90-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fmj90-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fmj90-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">or is the entire world turning</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="8g4di-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8g4di-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8g4di-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">around my stillness?</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="eme9h-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eme9h-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="eme9h-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am here with all my kin</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="2nqfu-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2nqfu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2nqfu-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only separated by this thin veil of time</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="9mulm-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9mulm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9mulm-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only separated by this thin veil.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="6h201-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6h201-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6h201-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You touch the whole world</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="5h3bv-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5h3bv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5h3bv-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the whole world touches you.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="bkb4q-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bkb4q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bkb4q-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are inseparable.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="dihn8-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dihn8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dihn8-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are one.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="aiqa5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aiqa5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="aiqa5-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go forth and act</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="344v2-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="344v2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="344v2-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">knowing the power you have</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="5cpgf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5cpgf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5cpgf-0-0"><span style="font-family: verdana;">connected.</span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="8b6a6" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">--Mark Bohrer August 2017</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1sl60-0-0" style="font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldm3SS7u5inY4N1QtgdXRSNZUauR0WFoucsDdIZAuUVpSo0q7MH00CJ2P_Rsvd3WDhHVcE3ZGA59sQ044bCc2L-ZRyzwdbL-cHmtza9HSOuIFwtlU-egR03fFN7e0usWxaUFUEhdU310/s2048/Stevens-Coolidge+hay+bales+Aug+2017+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldm3SS7u5inY4N1QtgdXRSNZUauR0WFoucsDdIZAuUVpSo0q7MH00CJ2P_Rsvd3WDhHVcE3ZGA59sQ044bCc2L-ZRyzwdbL-cHmtza9HSOuIFwtlU-egR03fFN7e0usWxaUFUEhdU310/s320/Stevens-Coolidge+hay+bales+Aug+2017+edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-18975528216719417802020-07-04T10:03:00.003-04:002023-05-21T10:28:31.300-04:00Introduction - The Six Grandfathers<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Introduction - The Six Grandfathers</span></u></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i style="text-indent: 0in;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On this Independence Day 2020, </span></i>I'm thinking about what it means to be an American, who we are. Is there a way for all people who live in this country to come together, to stand on common ground? I wanted to share a poem I wrote a few years back about the monument at Mt. Rushmore and the mountain it was carved from - The Six Grandfathers. It captures my thoughts, my hopes.</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This all started many years earlier with another poem I wrote titled “Ozymandias In Reverse”. That poem told of a person traveling in the desert who came upon great carved stones lying about on the land, and a tower built of these stones. The person wondered how these great building stones and tower came to be. The poem was an attempt to take the idea of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” and turn it on it’s head. It wondered if a great structure, rather than falling into wreck and decay with the passage of time, could somehow come into being, could come to greatness with the passage of time. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The narrator in this poem comes to realize that the reason the great stones and tower are there may not be due the power of the hand that shaped and built them – they may only be there because everything else around them had worn away. The stones that remained had withstood the test of time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then I saw a beautiful picture of Mount Rushmore, a picture taken from the air, showing Washington’s face in profile. His face was like the prow of a ship, gazing out onto America. </span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had visited Mount Rushmore many decades before and had an image of the monument in my mind, but this picture struck me differently. Instead of us looking at the figures on Mount Rushmore and wondering about them, what do those figures think when they look out at this land? </span></i></div><div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><i>Then another question came to mind – what about the figures that are missing from this monument? What about those who lived on this land for millennia before the Europeans arrived? </i></span></div><div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><i>These great figures from our past – whether they are present in granite or in spirit – what do they see when they look out at their country, when they look at us? That’s where I started.</i></span></div><div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.markbohrer.us/2017/12/the-six-grandfathers.html">The Six Grandfathers (poem)</a><br />
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<br />Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-87864629737471438642019-09-28T08:22:00.000-04:002019-10-15T23:42:41.393-04:00Open Mics, Climate Strike - and Great Barrier by Barbara Kingsolver<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9i862" data-offset-key="ag7c2-0-0" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1154601978063391/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1154601978063391/</a></span></div>
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Go to an open mic poetry show when you have a chance. Why? Why do I go? </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">These shows have taught me - reminded me really - of one thing. It's strange that I needed to be reminded, but I learn again that we are all feeling, thinking beings. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">We all have so much going on inside, all the time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> That's why I say there's no bad poetry, only honest or dishonest poetry. Or maybe only honest and not-fully-honest poetry. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Great good poetry leads us to feel and think. It opens doors. It let's us step through. And we find ourselves standing in the same room as we started, but we see it for the first time. And we clearly see who and what we love. We feel and think. That's what poetry can do. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Come out to the first Tuesday4Poetry Open Mic of the new season at the Stevens Memorial Library, this Tuesday, 7PM. Poet Blaine Hebbel from Ipswich is the feature, "Protest Poetry" is the theme. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I went to the Climate Strike yesterday. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here's a poem by Barbara Kingsolver that speaks to the place where we find ourselves, behind a great barrier. Only Love will help us across. This is a kind of protest poem. Hope to see you Tuesday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Great Barrier
By Barbara Kingsolver
The cathedral is burning. Absent flame or smoke,
stained glass explodes in silence, fractal scales
of angel damsel rainbow parrot. Charred beams
of blackened coral lie in heaps on the sacred floor,
white stones fallen from high places, spires collapsed
crushing sainted turtle and gargoyle octopus.
Something there is in my kind that cannot love
a reef, a tundra, a plain stone breast of desert, ever
quite enough. A tree perhaps, once recomposed
as splendid furniture. A forest after the whole of it
is planed to posts and beams and raised to a heaven
of earnest construction in the name of Our Lady.
All Paris stood on the bridges to watch her burning,
believing a thing this old, this large and beautiful
must be holy and cannot be lost. And coral temples
older than Charlemagne suffocate unattended,
bleach and bleed from the eye, the centered heart.
Lord of leaves and fishes, lead me across this great divide.
Teach me how to love the sacred places, not as one
devotes to One who made me in his image and is bound
to love me back. I mean as a body loves its microbial skin,
the worm its nape of loam, all secret otherness forgiven.
Love beyond anything I will ever make of it.
(from Time Magazine, September 23, 2019)
<a href="https://time.com/5669066/barbara-kingsolver-great-barrier-poem/">https://time.com/5669066/barbara-kingsolver-great-barrier-poem/</a></span></span></div>
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Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-22061322029028668452019-07-21T08:03:00.003-04:002019-07-21T08:13:06.313-04:00The Word from the Corner - Summer in a Small Town - Tony Hoagland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1112532368937019/">posted on our Facebook group North Andover Poets Corner</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Poetry outdoors this week! This Tuesday, we're going to be at the
Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill in North Andover. The theme for this month's open
mic is "Summer Stories". You can go a lot of different directions
with this one. Bring one of your own or one by a favorite author. We are
meeting on the lawn by the big tent at 6PM, we start at 6:30PM. Park in the lot
behind the estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is a summer poem by Tony Hoagland, who passed away last year. He
was a great observer, with a wry sense of humor. His poems are worth checking
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enjoy summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">from "Summer in a Small Town"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BY TONY HOAGLAND<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the kind of town where the rush hour traffic halts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to let three wild turkeys cross the road,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and when the high school music teacher retires<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">after thirty years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the movie marquee says, “Thanks Mr. Biddleman!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the whole town comes to hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the tuba solos of old students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Summer, when the living is easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and we store up pleasure in our bodies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">like fat, like Eskimos,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for the coming season of privation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All August the Ferris wheel will turn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in the little amusement park,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and screaming teenage girls will jump into the river<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with their clothes on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">right next to the No Swimming sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Trying to cool the heat inside the small towns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of their bodies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for which they have no words;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">obedient to the voice inside which tells them,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now. Steal Pleasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/52647/summer-in-a-small-town">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/52647/summer-in-a-small-town</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-39073382765991639232019-07-14T11:26:00.002-04:002020-08-09T13:25:45.571-04:00The Word from the Corner - 2 poems - The Path Disappears, Tell Why<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The Word from the Corner</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1108576835999239/">posted on North Andover Poets Corner on Facebook</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qxji3cMOMV_G8xrjanTdHpinO6eKic8YyNEOpPUZh5xmcQhZUKeOi5ioLEH5MzCjFg5_HjgCkvhzaoAfUvEIVGOlTGF8Bg3q5WY_Si2K-jHZUZ4BzVuDYjRCJR7O_us9NsZQBkc2NXiH/s1600/the-twilight-mystery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="540" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qxji3cMOMV_G8xrjanTdHpinO6eKic8YyNEOpPUZh5xmcQhZUKeOi5ioLEH5MzCjFg5_HjgCkvhzaoAfUvEIVGOlTGF8Bg3q5WY_Si2K-jHZUZ4BzVuDYjRCJR7O_us9NsZQBkc2NXiH/s320/the-twilight-mystery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mysterious, curious, glorious, or furious - Sometimes I know where my poems come from. Sometimes I don't. Here are two short poems that are in the second category. Two from the twilight zone. For you to consider on this mysterious summer day, a summer day like any other...</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy.</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">PS Don't forget, we are outdoors at Stevens Estate next Tuesday for this month's open mic! Tuesday 7/23, 6PM. See Events on FB group North Andover Poets Corner.</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">________________________<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">____________________</span></span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The path disappears</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am suddenly in fear</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am in fear</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I stand here revealed</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The way to safety has turned narrow</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot pass or fly like the sparrow</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">There is no path forward</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The one road goes onward</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Through the valley of steel knives</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Cold in the hand, they greet me</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The other road rises high above the valley floor</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It meets a bridge high above the valley floor</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Where is the path?</span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">____________________________________________</span></div>
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<span class="_4yxr" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Tell Why</u></span></span></div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it’s beautiful</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it hurts</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it hurts less when I do</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it’s the only way out</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it’s the only way in</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because it’s the only way to know what I know</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But I write it because</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It’s beautiful</span></div>
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Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-3785216136356664482019-06-16T14:43:00.003-04:002019-06-23T23:41:36.303-04:00The Word from the Corner - Where There Were Steep Riverbanks (poem)<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Word from the Corner </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>posted on North Andover Poets Corner on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1089502341240022">https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1089502341240022</a></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA96_awfBq0aSfrzuib2gDUjue1uCwLGamFnWNhJ-moI3oCIPKkpr6tTvJJQwaiqEiN9LdeBK31t95kawj0liCdhU2X6imT4tyBDaB7JYc1pC7gVzFOizU5GrJWBijdLG0WFGcz_xKxVn/s1600/circe-maia-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA96_awfBq0aSfrzuib2gDUjue1uCwLGamFnWNhJ-moI3oCIPKkpr6tTvJJQwaiqEiN9LdeBK31t95kawj0liCdhU2X6imT4tyBDaB7JYc1pC7gVzFOizU5GrJWBijdLG0WFGcz_xKxVn/s400/circe-maia-photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The feeling of Summer is here - a few days before it's official. These past few weeks, it's been so beautiful to be out in the day & evening, on these days before it gets too hot. Here's one that comes from South America but it felt like it came from my childhood growing up on the lakes & ponds in NW Pennsylvania. Written by Uruguayan poet Circe Maia, translated by Jesse Lee Kercheval. Enjoy summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2019/06/03/136-where-there-were-steep-riverbanks">PS Found this one on the Tracy K. Smith's podcast "The Slowdown". This is #136.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">____________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where There Were Steep Riverbanks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by Circe Maia </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once again the memory rises up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the oar beating against the water. The river shines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and leaves tremble in the shade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wet hair, smiling eyes watching. Above</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blue and sun and blue…watch the black</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and broken tree trunks, listen to the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still feel warm wood in my hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and at every dull beat my blood makes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the oar sinks again in green cold and algae.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like a stem, firm and green, June came rising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There came from wind, from love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">red wings in flight, the days of summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Row, rower</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and do not listen to the black</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">beat of the oar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The oar strokes cut time into pieces,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">equal pieces, almost clockwork</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and all you think about is where each is falling,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a beat and another beat together as the day flies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look how the white hours grow black</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the wanting to stop them almost hurts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blows fall on the soul, cold and ashen,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the blows of the oar on the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And behind, you can see the flat surface of the river,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the face of summer, blue and smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This poem was translated by Jesse Lee Kercheval.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Where There Were Steep Riverbanks," from THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Circe Maia </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2019/06/03/136-where-there-were-steep-riverbanks">https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2019/06/03/136-where-there-were-steep-riverbanks</a> </span>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-14271003348167304862019-06-02T19:50:00.003-04:002019-07-20T09:09:14.021-04:00The Word from the Corner - My First Home (poem)<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Word from the Corner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">posted on Facebook </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1078899485633641/">North Andover Poets Corner</a></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJNcWD_5nZXzM2wxlaSdgACtGsWglcQIE1qq5tRA5-uvLj_kwlAAc0kZkJweNG5BrAlBtKPiMhb7YYd8iu7YDrrkJdCl_c5nZEBDli0Ga6l6FbjBq-eZXI4NCTwT8zP1Sc8ZldvF3L9gp/s1600/Symphonic+Band+May+30+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJNcWD_5nZXzM2wxlaSdgACtGsWglcQIE1qq5tRA5-uvLj_kwlAAc0kZkJweNG5BrAlBtKPiMhb7YYd8iu7YDrrkJdCl_c5nZEBDli0Ga6l6FbjBq-eZXI4NCTwT8zP1Sc8ZldvF3L9gp/s320/Symphonic+Band+May+30+2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thursday before last, I got a text from Justin Smalley, Director of the North Andover HS Band:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"Last year I read a poem for the seniors titled last days. Was wondering if you had anything original that you have written that would be appropriate for the last days in the band room?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"No, I don't"</i>, I texted back. <i>"I could find something. Or I'll write it. :-)" He replied, "I like your last option, if you have time."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xsmall;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It would be for the spring concert, coming up the following week. Justin said I could have one page in the program. I had 4 days. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I went to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xsmall;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To get things rolling, I sent out a request to close friends, other parents with kids in band, for ideas, memories, memes. Boy, did that help. After my two kids went through the wonderful music program we have in North Andover - after many years supporting them in the North Andover Middle School and High School music programs - you have a lot of memories. I tried to distill it down. I got the theme from what I heard over and over again from the kids. Here is what came out. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go Scarlet Knight Marching Band!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK6DXfRm9fnYTr_LiDYFB0BWp_RjCUVsJziljFogynEmXzPyUCTt9fww4t89urgLWx5W6z6YFGXBiA9vO-M3MLLiR3_jpzS98SHtp0IvR9jfuF8Gv88zVCU9didXaoudw2aBcEjrQetYw/s1600/Scarlet+Knight+Marching+Band+Nov+4+2018+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1421" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK6DXfRm9fnYTr_LiDYFB0BWp_RjCUVsJziljFogynEmXzPyUCTt9fww4t89urgLWx5W6z6YFGXBiA9vO-M3MLLiR3_jpzS98SHtp0IvR9jfuF8Gv88zVCU9didXaoudw2aBcEjrQetYw/s320/Scarlet+Knight+Marching+Band+Nov+4+2018+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">_______________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My First Home</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dut-dut-dut-dut, I feel the beat, I hear the voice. How do I explain?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’re the ones who put on a show – making music is our choice, our DNA –</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dut-dut-dut-dut, I feel the beat, I hear the voice. How do I explain?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’re the ones who start a show – while lying in the dirt –</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">lying there on a cold wet field in a white compression shirt!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started that first day, a little scared, when I entered that holy room.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mr. N and Mr. I prepared us – Mr. “e” was friendly – why did I feel such doom?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I knew I could make sounds, but would I make music or just a sonic boom?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What would it be like to perform together, in this symphonic playroom?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mr. Smalley started with “Be Inspiring”; something happened as the magic spun.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We had our roles in Brass and Reeds, in Woodwinds, Percussion and Drums.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We had our roles in Color Guard and as drum majors; we made music, we made fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We became more than a bunch of kids, we became a family, we joined as one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Black socks. Cream Crew. Mr. Smalley remembers my name!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">An American in Africa, Primary Colors, We The People, Checkmate!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hey band! Hey what? Let’s sing “Hey Baby” in the pouring rain!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bright lights. Chess pieces. The national anthem on the bus. A 93.8! That’s 93 Point 8!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We played concerts, Pep Band and Jazz Nights. We marched in town parades.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">At Williamsburg and the LA Festival of Gold, we worked to make the grade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We played for the school. We played for the town. We played for all America.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wow, that Encore performance in Nashville! Get ready, next year, it’s Antarctica!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Off that backstage corridor, I became one of many, one of the chosen few.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In a plain room, my home away from home, something here was new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the band room, we made harmony rhyme.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Making art, making music, we also made family time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">At home you find your family – something happened as we rehearsed –</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The band room is not my second home, I tell you, it’s my first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">____________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">by Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andover</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">North Andover is the home of the Scarlet Knight Marching Band</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">PS One of the best things about the Spring concert night was that my son Nick read this poem from the stage at the concert that night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hSz-zx_IyQPx5VebdSMHrTikmc8r1aSmJI-StgkNH9mULkEr0n4PjA28s6PXCbF0WWZ-nbezqVooCPCiZ7yclusCSoyPY-uWBB-vMB8OmSRmS9UZ-DqP6ie03WqlJZAI2T3CW0PYJBI1/s1600/Scarlet+Knight+Marching+Band+Sep+29+2018+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hSz-zx_IyQPx5VebdSMHrTikmc8r1aSmJI-StgkNH9mULkEr0n4PjA28s6PXCbF0WWZ-nbezqVooCPCiZ7yclusCSoyPY-uWBB-vMB8OmSRmS9UZ-DqP6ie03WqlJZAI2T3CW0PYJBI1/s320/Scarlet+Knight+Marching+Band+Sep+29+2018+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926087640224278363.post-32878101536433305262019-05-19T16:59:00.004-04:002020-08-09T13:30:42.668-04:00The Word from the Corner - Ilya Kaminsky<span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The Word from the Corner</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BenfzbjICKQlor2BrJAstX8LB9UDnYB2xFcT2DQsdjFWo0F8iubR_2ok6CiwxrwvcVk2epoloitsetJDkFXQJ_0cn8fvcL5QGoV4I2ybNZKXQLa0nCjGXn1KEhNOgtiUL2LisFj3uH5/s1600/ilya_kaminsky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="448" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BenfzbjICKQlor2BrJAstX8LB9UDnYB2xFcT2DQsdjFWo0F8iubR_2ok6CiwxrwvcVk2epoloitsetJDkFXQJ_0cn8fvcL5QGoV4I2ybNZKXQLa0nCjGXn1KEhNOgtiUL2LisFj3uH5/s320/ilya_kaminsky.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">posted on North Andover Poets Corner 5/19/2019</span></span></div>
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<span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/northandoverpoets/permalink/1070425736481016/">North Andover Poets Corner 05-19-2019</a></span></span></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I don't write many political or protest poems, just a few. Given what's going on these days, everything I write should go that way. I've been listening to The Slowdown, a poetry podcast hosted by outgoing US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. Besides picking cool poems, she has a great voice and delivery. </span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here's one that Tracy read from earlier this year. A good poem can make you feel alive. A good poem can also make you dissatisfied with yourself. For me, this one hit on the latter. It's by Ilya Kaminsky. He came to this country from Russia in 1993 when he was 16, when his family was granted political asylum. He now teaches creative writing at San Diego State. He has a local connection as a faculty member at The Frost Place Conference on Poetry, in Franconia, NH.</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When I post a poem, I always say "Enjoy" although in this case, I'm not sure if that's the right word. But here it is.</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">_________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: verdana;">We Lived Happily During The War</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><span face="">by Ilya Kaminsky</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">And when they bombed other people’s houses, we</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">protested</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><span face="">but not enough, we opposed them but not</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">enough. I was</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><span face="">in my bed, around my bed America</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">was falling: invisible house by invisible house by invisible house⏤</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">I took a chair outside and watched the sun.</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">In the sixth month</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><span face="">of a disastrous reign in the house of money</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">in the street of money in the city of money in the country of money,</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><span face="">our great country of money, we (forgive us)</span></span><br />
<span face=""><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129;">lived happily during the war.</span></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"We Lived Happily During The War," from DEAF REPUBLIC by Ilya Kaminsky.</span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2019/04/26/110-we-lived-happily-during-the-war">https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2019/04/26/110-we-lived-happily-during-the-war</a></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ilya-kaminsky">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ilya-kaminsky</a></span></span>Mark Bohrer, Poet Laureate of North Andoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14181837501926349757noreply@blogger.com1