This poem issues from reflections on Ecclesiastes, that incomparable book. Life is a locked door, And there is no key. I cannot make the crooked corridors straighten, I am in them, wandering who knows where. Who knows anything? Fleeting and futile, a boy blowing bubbles, Chasing down a giant one, He means to keep. What a vapid dance, this life, With drunk-clumsy partners, who all seem to … [Read more...] about The Boy and the Bubble
Poems for Humans and Others
Living Still
The Poets by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow O ye dead Poets, who are living still Immortal in your verse, though life be fled, And ye, O living Poets, who are dead Though ye are living, if neglect can kill, Tell me if in the darkest hours of ill, With drops of anguish falling fast and red From the sharp crown of thorns upon your head, Ye were not glad your errand to fulfill? Yes; for the gift and … [Read more...] about Living Still
Poems Papaw Loved: The Children’s Hour
This is one of my Papaw's favorite poems. I have fond memories of him reciting this on his back porch. I remember him tearing up and afterwards expressing his experiences that compared with Longfellow's as he arrived home. It's also a vision close to my heart. For the deep, satisfying joy of a happy, loving connection to my own kids is one of the great joys of my life. -Sam The Children's … [Read more...] about Poems Papaw Loved: The Children’s Hour
“The truth must dazzle gradually”
Tell All the Truth, but Tell it Slant by Emily Dickenson Tell all the truth but tell it slant, Success in circuit lies, Too bright for our infirm delight The truth’s superb surprise; As lightning to the children eased With explanation kind, The truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind. _____________________________ HT: David Kern Image via … [Read more...] about “The truth must dazzle gradually”
A Farewell Song for Papaw (Clair Shadwell Smith)
Below is the poem I read at Papaw's funeral on Saturday. The poem is full of allusions to Papaw's own poetry and life story, and may or may not make perfect sense to those who didn't know him. It was a beautiful service, honoring a beautiful man and celebrating a long, beautiful life. It started with the church bell ringing once for each of his ninety years and ended with full military honors. In … [Read more...] about A Farewell Song for Papaw (Clair Shadwell Smith)
Night by Clair Shadwell Smith
Night by Clair Shadwell Smith The grey and death-like, quiet night. Where, in its non-directed light, The moon from four horizons shines, Revealing naught but softest lines Of hill and plain. Where man’s hard shell of pride is lost, And lain aside, his soul the host, Now clothed in softer … [Read more...] about Night by Clair Shadwell Smith
Rare Gems by Clair Shadwell Smith
For those of you who heard the poetry session Andrew Peterson and I shared at Hutchmoot 2011, this is the poem I read from my Grandfather. It's long been a favorite of mine and one of the first poems that ever really "got me." Many people there loved it, including AP. I hope you enjoy it too. -Sam Rare Gems by Clair Shadwell Smith They burned us in the fire, Your page and mine; And I was … [Read more...] about Rare Gems by Clair Shadwell Smith
A Funny Poem For Moms and Those Who Have Them: Guest Post By Gina G. Smith
Is It Words? A Guest Post by Gina G. Smith “Here, listen to this.” My husband said to me as we got in the car. The kids were with us and we had a ways to go. Sigh. “Is it words?” I asked sarcastically. I love being part of his world, but if there’s one thing that puts me instantly to sleep, or sends me spiraling into a world of daydreams, it’s listening to audio books. He somehow listens … [Read more...] about A Funny Poem For Moms and Those Who Have Them: Guest Post By Gina G. Smith
Morning Person
For those who asked me, this is one of the poems I read at Hutchmoot. It really was unintentional that it followed all that stuff about Morning People. -Sam Morning Person (Vassar Miller) God, best at making in the morning, tossed stars and planets, singing and dancing, rolled Saturn’s rings spinning and humming, twirled the earth so hard it coughed and spat the moon up, brilliant bubble … [Read more...] about Morning Person
The Kind of Sunshine Old Men Love
Soaking Up Sun (Tom Hennen) Today there is the kind of sunshine old men love, the kind of day when my grandfather would sit on the south side of the wooden corncrib where the sunlight warmed slowly all through the day like a wood stove. One after another dry leaves fell. No painful memories came. Everything was lit by a halo of light. The cornstalks glinted bright as pieces of glass. From the … [Read more...] about The Kind of Sunshine Old Men Love
“He fathers-forth…”
Pied Beauty (Gerard Manley Hopkins) Glory be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who … [Read more...] about “He fathers-forth…”
“…I wonder at not wondering.”
The Mystery by G.K. Chesterton If sunset clouds could grow on trees It would but match the may in flower; And skies be underneath the seas No topsyturvier than a shower. If mountains rose on wings to wander They were no wilder than a cloud; Yet all my praise is mean as slander, Mean as these mean words spoken aloud. And never more than now I know That man's first heaven is far behind; Unless … [Read more...] about “…I wonder at not wondering.”