Nancy Rosback is one of our regular contributions to the (approximately) twice-a-month poetry jams on Twitter. She lives in Oregon, where she and her husband Peter operate Sineann Wines. Her blog is Poems and Prayers, where she posts some of the simplest, and most profound, poems around, about faith and hope and even everyday things like soap. Here are three of them.
Chew on This
where does greed
come from
to want
more
than need
it’s an evil
seed that grows
planted with the
hands of fear
and fed by pride
oh yes
who has followed
that golden carrot
that elusive tomorrow
Lord
give us this day our
daily
bread
enough is enough
for today
…
On Top of the World
on
top of the world
at
the edge
of a country
exposed
to
an expanse
of blues
where
time is told
by
the sun’s path
across the sky
by
the changing tide
one can
be
Liquid Soap
setting a fire
in the big black stove
she went outside
to the pump
lifting the handle
up and pushing
it down with
a determined rhythm
the water
gushed out
and filled the
metal bucket
enough
for making breakfast
and washing dishes
it would take a few
more buckets full
to heat
for laundry
.
(Poems copyright 2010 by Nancy Rosback. Used with permission.)
(Photograph: “Green” by Nancy Rosback. Used with persmission.)
Poetry News and Postings:
As part of National Poetry Month, the Academy of American Poets is sponsoring “Poem in Your Pocket Day” on April 29.
Yesterday’s Poem A Day from the Academy was “Gold River” by Catie Rosemurgy, taken from her collection entitled The Stranger Manual.
Scholastic has a National Poetry Month page for teachers, with all kinds of suggestions for poetry in the classroom.
Accredited Online Colleges has posted its list of the “100 Best Poetry Blogs.” TweetSpeak Poetry wasn’t included; just wait until next year.
Patti Digh has posted a poem entitled “Invocation” by Marilyn Hacker and an accompanying painting for National Poetry Month.
- World War II Had Its Poets, Too - May 15, 2025
- Czeslaw Milosz, 1946-1953: “Poet in the New World” - May 13, 2025
- Poets and Poems: Alfred Nicol and “After the Carnival” - May 8, 2025
Erin says
“Liquid Soap” is one of my favorites of Nancy’s. 🙂
Lorrie says
It blesses me to see nAncY’s wonderful poetry and photography here. *standing ovation!!*
Kathleen says
Nancy
the elegant
minimalist
her
pages
inspire
continuous
need
for
more
Maureen Doallas says
I would so like a book of all of nAncY’s poems!
n davis rosback says
Love and Grace
i glimpse a glimmer
of God’s face
through all
of you
i am
blessed
with the best
of friends
amen
laura says
Nancy is such a gem! And these are three of my favorites.
And she takes beautiful pictures too.
Glynn! Three a.m.?? Poetry month is a hazard to your health! Take care of yourself… that grandbaby is counting on you.
n davis rosback says
i like that the intro. is a poem. 🙂