I have written poetry since I was in high school. And though I could tell when a poem was working, I never really understood why poems worked or didn’t. They just felt “right” or they didn’t. My poems came in response to events in my life rather than a desire to learn how to write good poetry. (Not a good way to approach any craft.) But I wrote poetry anyway because I thought in poems. I couldn’t imagine writing prose, and a novel seemed like a freakishly large endeavor. Time, age, and events eventually changed how I thought and long narratives became more appealing. I came to like writing in a space where every syllable did not have to be counted and ideas could come in sentences and paragraphs.
I still write one or two poems a year. Some ideas or events demand a poem rather than a story. And though I do not consider myself a poet, I offer a few poems here—the ones I finished, the ones that don’t embarrass me, or the ones that simply carry a message or sentiment that I want to share. Some were written years ago, some recently. Most are unpublished. (I am not even sure that what I do would be considered publishable!) But here, on my own website, I get to choose what to share with the world. And you have come this far—so I hope you’ll indulge me, and hopefully yourself, and enjoy some poetry!
Many of the poems have a short commentary below them. Writing should stand on its own without requiring explanation. But at every poetry reading I have ever been to, the poet offers a few words before or after reading a poem, so I have followed suit here whenever I felt compelled. However, for some of the poems I could not think of a thing to say beyond what I had already said in the poem.
Animal Loves
Baby on Board
Florida, June 2020
Grief
Now
Regret
Shelter In Place
Upon Becoming Betrothed