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PublishedJune 29, 2019
Poetry Pharmacy
Dear Poetry Pharmacy, A colleague of mine just lost his mother to cancer. It's hard to know what to say. I'd love to offer him some support — or at least commiseration — with an appropriate poem. Can you help? This certainly is one of the key uses for poetry: to offer up words in difficult circumstances, when our own voices feel inadequate. I find a bittersweet comfort in Joy Harjo's poem “For Keeps,” in which ...
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PublishedMay 13, 2019
Poetry Pharmacy
Dear Poetry Pharmacy, The world needs as much help as we can give, so I try to get out and take a stand when I can. I would like to have a poem to read at a rally or protest meeting. I'm not looking for something particular to any party or cause, but something about the value of dissent and staying politically engaged. It's so good to know there are always people like you who are committed to positive change ...
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PublishedApril 11, 2019
Poetry Pharmacy: Poems to bring people together
Dear Poetry Pharmacy, My two children, five years apart, loved each other when they were young. Now they are on opposite sides politically, and one is straight and the other gay and they cannot see eye to eye. I would love a poem that speaks to waging peace between divided family members. I know this is a tall order but do so believe in the wellness and balance poetry can bring. Yes, one important thing poems — ...
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PublishedMarch 6, 2019
Poetry Pharmacy: Poems for cabin fever
Dear Poetry Pharmacy, Forget April — March is a pretty cruel month here in Maine. How about a poem to help deal with a bad case of cabin fever? As Robert Frost definitely didn't say about this time of year in New England, there are miles to go before we sunbathe. The Poetry Pharmacist is struggling herself, and offers two possible prescriptions: Either you can embrace the hardship and seek some commiseration, ...
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PublishedFebruary 8, 2019
Poetry Pharmacy: Poem for widow of bird lover
Dear Poetry Pharmacy, We had a friend who died on Jan. 11, his 94th birthday. He was our neighbor for many years. He once made us a platform bird feeder and came over and installed it. He also liked to feed a porcupine (who lived under his shed) an apple a day. He was an avid bird watcher. We'd like to send his widow a poem. Any good ideas? I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and neighbor. The first ...
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PublishedOctober 8, 2018
A poem for Indigenous Peoples Day
"Earth Blessing" by Jack Manno May earth's song reach us in our deepest and wildest places. May it be heard as we move upon her, as we partake of her sustenance, as we nestle in her waters and grasses May we hear the voices of the stones, the winds and waters, creatures and plants, above the human chatter, softly but not silently, so we can heed them when we must. May all those who try to conquer earth's powers ...
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PublishedApril 21, 2018
'Too many'
Too many Indians too many settlers too many chickens too many sardines too many rednecks too many hippies too many gays too many trees too many dogs too many artists too many bridges too many trails too many restaurants too many credit cards too many tiny houses too many salmon too many
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PublishedApril 4, 2015
April Poet's Corner
April, though never shy to surprise, is that month of miraculous transformations, be it toward the familiar or profoundly beyond expectations. Such is our journey blossoming now, as the poet Kathryn Robyn duly affirms in her poem "Transformation." Happy National Poetry Month! Kathryn Robyn is a local Belfast poet, playwright, and freelance editor of commercial, literary and theatrical works. A shamanic healer, ...
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PublishedFebruary 7, 2015
Poet's Corner, January 2015
Well, now that we are mid-storm, mid-winter, mid-thigh in snow, here, for our collective reminder of the life that greens and calls ever still, is "View From The Typewriter," by Swanville poet Jooshua Kauppila. Morning begins with the prose of crows Notes jumping off the staff of trees, melodies written On standing paper, tall Stories-tall. Songs, tales, observation Crows' prose in caws Crows flight ...
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PublishedJanuary 3, 2015
Poetry Corner, first week of January
The new Belfast Poet Laureate is Toussaint St. Negritude. He brings to the position enormous talent, depth and vision. "Throughout and following my laureateship, it is my committed hope to have provided the broadest structure for the welcoming and discovery and meaningful presentation of poetry, here and dear to all," he said. St. Negritude will be editing the poetry column from now on. Here is a poem from ...
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