Linda

POETRY IS WHAT THE SOULS OF THE ANCIENTS SPEAK TO THOSE STILL SEEKING WHAT IS MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD. FROM: LINDA

Wednesday, July 5, 2017









Creating "The Glass Windows behind the Plants"

My younger brother, Philip, left this morning to go home after a 4-day visit.  One year ago, he underwent surgery for the creation of a neo-bladder after cancer was found in his original bladder. This is very rough surgery.  I spent several days at the hospital with him post-surgery.  His recovery was slow and painful in the beginning.  I have a severe fear of heights.  He asked me to write about our journey up and down the hall as he got used to the "new him."

"The Glass windows Behind the Plants"


The Glass Windows Behind the Plants


They stood together in the hospital hall,
Each with a seemingly insurmountable fear.
He with a path so long, and the burden he carried so heavy,
She unable to lean forward from the eighth floor.


Together they promised each other,
One step at a time, one tile at a time,
Each step closer to the end of the hall,
Each tile closer to the window.

They began.
He went further,
She went further.

He channeled gazelles, swift and light,
She channeled eagles, high flying and fearless on the air.

His hospital gown trembled,
Her legs trembled.

At the end he’d walk the length several times
and had looked up and seen her smile,
At the end she had pressed her forehead 
against the glass and looked down


And he smiled back.


Afterthoughts for "The Glass Windows Behind the Plants"

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. 

Plato


I think fearless is having fears but jumping anyway.


Taylor Swift



I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship. 



Louisa May Alcott

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Creating "Atop the Hill"

This one pretty much wrote itself.  Who is this?  A sentry, a guardian, a gatekeeper?  Or perhaps just a plain, old observer?  This poem speaks of suffering.

Extract from "Atop the Hill"


"I see much from my place atop the hill
Harried mothers squawking
Old men numb with loneliness
Laced lovers convinced of privacy."

Afterthoughts for "Atop the Hill"

I'm a voyeur. I say that with no embarrassment. If I could have a superpower, being invisible would be it, 
no question. I'm fascinated by human behavior; observing people and seeing how much story gets told 
without a lot of dialogue, and how much our brain fills in. 


Thomas Schlamme



Of the two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer.

Louise Gluck


My Drawing:


Sunday, June 25, 2017

on June 24, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Saturday, June 24, 2017





The photograph that inspired my poem "This Is a Good Thing"  recently published (May 29, 2017) in The Voices Project.  It can be read in its entirety at www.thevoicesproject.org.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Creating "The First Week of Shattered Dreams"

The first week after the death of a spouse is an indeterminable, agonizingly slow time for developing the intermittent realization that the deceased is not returning.  Not only is the world turned sideways, but what used to seem so natural now takes on the aura of another world.

Extract from "The First Week of Shattered Dreams"

This lone week plays as a century long,
With each new normal nothing more
Than a ridiculous display,
Aberrant,
A pretentious pageant with no real import."

Afterthoughts for "The First Week of Shattered Dreams"

Widow. The word consumes itself.

Sylvia Plath

For many women, becoming a widow does not just mean the heartache of losing a husband, but ofetn losing everything else as well.

Cherie Blair

He first deceased; she for a little tried to live without him, liked it not, and died.

Sir Henry Wooten

Thursday, June 15, 2017

My poem "My Mother's Secret" will be published by Leaves Of Ink on November 1st.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

on June 6, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase