The Book Report: So You Don’t Have To. At the beginning of every month I’ll share a book of poetry I love.
I FELT HIM ON MY BODY
On connection, death, and loss.
Press play to listen to audio of me reading I FELT HIM ON MY BODY… and scroll down to see the whole poem.
A poem from EVERYDAY MERMAID. A collaborative poetry art book I created with artist, Deidre Scherer
GETTING TO SNOW
DAY IN FOUR PARTS
Often we can deny so called hard experiences. They catch up to us.
A poem from EVERYDAY MERMAID. A collaborative poetry art book I created with artist Deidre Scherer
Every walk into the ordinary can bring in the sacred. And you don’t have to do anything except enjoy.
A FAIRYTAIL
This poem begins the book. It came after months of feeling hollowed out, burnt out. I was producing, directing, and choreographing the first play I had written. Tragedy struck. One of the leads had a stroke weeks before showtime. We pulled it off, but I was left dead inside. Then one night in the bath I felt the water. I moved in a new way. A poem and a new me began emerging from the water. I listened. Poem after poem came and by the end of that year Everyday Mermaid was fleshed out in poetry and I emerged as a poet. Poetry became my teacher.
A MERMAID'S JOURNEY INTO SLEEP
Bodily sensations of letting go. Entering the dream world. Succumbing to sleep.
A poem from Everyday Mermaid. A collaborative poetry art book with artist Deidre Scherer.
CODA: OUR BREATH
Trees are part of us. We are part of trees.
This poem has a surprise origin. Recovering from hip surgery I had gotten back from six days in the hospital. I couldn’t sleep. I was a wreck lying on the bed twitching. In the middle of the night, I got up to walk. Step by wooden step I moved. I felt like a tree Ent from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. The poem came. I felt a deep connection to trees which has deepened over the years.
Press play to listen to audio of me reading CODA: OUR BREATH… and scroll down to see the whole poem.
HOLIDAY (ENFORCED)
Describes the emotional and physical difficulties of being sick. It also shows a gift that can be tucked away in it. Hopefully, the humorous light touch can lessen the worry a bit with Covid.
BREAKFAST NOOK
There is a silence in fall which can be healing.
Press play to listen to audio of me reading BREAKFAST NOOK and scroll down to see the whole poem.
A poem from EVERYDAY MERMAID. A collaborative poetry art book with artist Deidre Scherer.
MAGIC IS WHERE YOU FIND IT
A magic moment from the past.
Press play to listen to audio of me reading MAGIC IS WHERE YOU FIND IT and scroll down to see the whole poem.
From our book, EVERYDAY MERMAID. A collaborative poetry art book with artist, Diedre Scherer.
UNDERCOVER
When fear runs your path.
Press play to listen to audio of me reading UNDERCOVER… and scroll down to see the whole poem.
From EVERYDAY MERMAID, a collaborative poetry art book with artist Deidre Scherer.
