Poetry Night at the Writing Life, 27 April 2025
Spring is springing in Iowa for the few weeks we have for it.
Hi, everyone, welcome to Poetry Night.
I have to admit the poetry wasn’t as free flowing as it has been recently. There’s a good explanation for that - I’ve been in the midst of revising my upcoming novel The Yank Striker’s Journey. It’s a bit difficult to write words when you’re trying to trim down words you’ve written, among other skills. It’s especially true when you are trying to write in something approaching verse but revising in prose. But, those are the breaks, and I am dedicating myself to try and actually write poetry rather than just brag I write it every once in a while1. So, as usual, I decided to follow what was going around me as inspiration for today’s offerings.
If You’re Interested in Poetry…
My first collection of poetry is out now.
The Flow and the Journey
As I’ve mentioned previously in this space, I came into writing poetry more or less under protest.
Since Substack doesn’t have the setup for this, I’ve set up something at my Wordpress sister site, Liegois Media. I set up my own Internet storefront page where you can order my chapbook for $6 per copy. The link is below.
https://liegois.media/product/the-flow-and-the-journey/
Onto the new words. The first poem is inspired by the arrival of the shortest season in the state of Iowa - Spring.
Spring is Sprung
26 April 2025, Fort Madison, Iowa
It’s a fantastic feeling
Driving with the windows open
No sweat on your brow
Shirtsleeve comfort
Bright sun direct and above
No cloud in the sky
Enjoying the first soft-serve ice cream cone
Of Spring.
There’s a regret wrapped in the joy
Because this is Iowa
And in a few weeks
Summer and corn sweat will fill the air.
I couldn’t get revising off my mind this weekend, so it ended up in a poem.
Disappearing Words
26 April 2025, Fort Madison, Iowa
It’s a wonderful sensation
Just like creation
Of the words and worlds from your mind.
You feel accomplished again
When you read words then
Start making them disappear.
The aim is for
You to say less and not more
While allowing the reader to fill the empty spaces.
You hammer the words
Like the smith beat the swords
And leave yourself something strong and true.
That’s it for tonight. See you poetry fans back here in May.
If you don’t have the budget for a paid subscription, feel free to just send me a one-time payment of whatever you have the budget for.
I’m even writing several poems I’m not planning on publishing right away, which I never used to do. I like having the freedom of writing something without having the pressure of wanting to publish it right away.