Some books bear up under rereading generously, like Charlote Brontë’s “Jane Eyre.” Especially with sacred reading.
Search Results for: Life Notes
Reading Shakespeare: King Lear & the Mystery of Things
Callie Feyen’s year-long “reading Shakespeare” experience takes her to King Lear, and the moment of crossing the place where mystery and empathy intersect.
Poets and Poems: Yrsa Daley-Ward and ‘bone’
The poems of “bone” by Yrsa Daley-Ward create discomfort, jolting the reader into an awareness of a very different and personal experience.
Poets and Poems: Paul Willis and ‘Somewhere to Follow’
“Somewhere to Follow,” the new poetry collection by Paul Willis, invites the reader to find the sacred in the everyday.
Home is Where the School Is—A Pandemic’s Eye View of Homeschooling Vs Virtual Learning
An exploration of homeschooling vs virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes interviews with 15 parents, students, and educators!
Poets and Poems: John Martin Finlay and “Dense Poems & Socratic Light”
“Dense Poems & Socratic Light” by John Martin Finlay is the best collection of the poet’s published and unpublished work available.
Poetry Prompt: Notebooks Trying To Tell
What have you been trying to tell yourself? Callie Feyen finds patterns, threads, and whispers in an old journal and “Kristin Lavransdatter.”
Poet-a-Day: Meet Susan Rothbard
When you think you’re grounded in reality, a form like the sonnet might lead you to the imaginary. It did for Susan Rothbard in her apple poem!
Poet-a-Day: Meet David Wright
How can you discover your poetic habits and create new ones that change your poetic music? Poet David Wright’s cello-based sonnet shows the way.
Poets and Poems: Osip Mandelstam and “Poems”
Osip Mandelstam (1891-1938) was a leading poet in the Silver Age of Russian poetry, until ran afoul of the Stalinist regime.
Poets and Poems: Chandra Gurung and “My Father’s Face”
The 47 poems of “My Father’s Face” by Chandra Gurung point to the contradictions of life inherent in all cultures and societies.
Generosity of Perspective: Not So Scared
Callie Feyen reflects on Frankenstein, Auggie and Me, and the generosity of perspective in understanding another and being human together.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter 5, Hank Aaron, Sugar Cookies, and Romance
Our fiction prompt series continues with sugar cookies honoring Hank Aaron, sort of. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 5 of her YA story.
A Book of Poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay Finds Its Way Home
A 1927 book of poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay finds its way home to the family of the original owner.
By Heart: ‘Everything Is Going To Be All Right’ + New W.H. Auden Challenge
A pandemic is a perfect time to learn a poem By Heart, especially Derek Mahon’s “Everything Is Going To Be All Right.”
James Sale and “HellWard” – Writing an Epic Poem in English
Few poets would attempt what James Sale is doing — writing an epic poem in English inspired by Dante’s “The Divine Comedy.”
Resilient Book Club: Part 4—Relating
In the final discussion in our book club of Resilient by Rick Hanson, Laura Boggess leads us in a conversation about Relating, and our inner strengths of courage, aspiration, and generosity.
“The Chimney Sweeper” Songs of Experience by William Blake
< Return to William Blake Poems “The Chimney Sweeper” (from “Songs of Experience”) A little black thing among the snow: Crying weep, weep, in notes of woe! Where are thy father & mother? say? They are both gone up to the church to pray. Because I was happy upon the heath, And smil’d among the […]
Resilient Book Club: Part 3—Regulating
In this week’s book club discussion of Rick Hanson’s Resilient, Laura Boggess helps us consider a third way of meeting our needs and building resilience, through regulating our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Resilient Book Club: Part 2—Resourcing
In this week’s installment of our book club of Resilient by Rick Hanson, Laura Boggess discusses the role of resourcing ourselves to build resilience, and reflects on grit, gratitude and confidence.