I almost forgot that today was Emily Dickinson’s birthday but then I saw this article from the New York Public Library where I learned that Miss Emily was a musician as well as a poet. It’s a great read and I’ll include the audio clip from George Boziwick, the Chief of the Music Division of the…
Tag: American poetry
William Stafford Weekend, Part 2
It was in September of 1987 that William Stafford’s little book, An Oregon Message was first published. So with the authority not even vested in me, I have proclaimed this William Stafford Weekend, and it shall be evermore known as thus. Well, if you promise not to forget. Check out Saturday’s post to follow all…
Poetry and Meaning, and Can a Poem Just Be?
“What exactly does this poem mean?” That’s the question someone just posted today on one of my YouTube readings from more than a year and a half ago. I’m glad those readings still get attention. I was recording a poem a day during National Poetry Month for a couple of years there, and between that…
Daddy Walt, or Uncle Walt? Happy Birthday to My Namesake
I have often been asked if my father’s name was Walt, or if I was a fan of Walt Whitman. Some people who are a little less poetry versed have even asked if my pseudonym was a reference to Walt Disney–God forbid! My father’s name was Raymond, actually, and I often refer to Walt Whitman as “Uncle…
