Poetry For Now

 At this time, with war and destruction around the globe and innocent human beings dying pointlessly, what can I do?  The best thing I can do for my and your sanity, is to focus on gratitude and what brings us joy, our common humanity and the consciousness in everyone and everything.  No excuses this is about the spirit!Support the show

I just completed a 6 day kayaking expedition with a small group into 10,000 islands in SW Florida.  Even though I have done a lot of river kayaking, this was my first experience of having to carry all our food, water and equipment across open water in rough seas and windy conditions. we learned how to pack the kayaks: A for Access, B for Balance and C for Compression.   I hope these poems give you an idea what this trip was like.Support the show

I picked up my journals of 2017 and 2020 and I found some poems that really resonate with me today. Just a brief explanation I have been following a path of yoga called Siddha Yoga with our teacher Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, for many years. And on January 1st each year she gives us a message, "A SWEET SURPRISE", something to think about for the year and that is how this episode will begin.The poems of 2020 reflect a fresh view of the world that was sparked by the New Year's message.  2017 was clearly a more challenging time, similar to 2025.Support the show

In August 2025 my wife, daughter & Son-in-law drove and lived in an RV as we travelled around iceland for 10 days - now hear what we experienced!  You can SEE some of what we saw on my website, and more completely in my book available as a pdf or printed athttps://www.blurb.com/b/12547137-iceland-travelling-the-ring-roadSupport the show

These poems give a small flavor of our 3 week journey through Japan, which followed my walk on the Kumano Kodo.  In my photo book, Exploring Japan, the themes are Transportation, Food, Gardens, Shrines and Temples and unique cultural experiences like Sumo wrestling, Taiko drumming, a zen monk, making Mochi and Mulberry paper.  These poems, some in the form of WAKAs, follow these themes.Support the show

After 26 hours of travel and a nights rest my pilgrimage begins.The Kumano Kodō is made up of multiple pilgrimage routes, and my first day is at the end of the Kiiji route, then I continue and in six days complete the Nakahechi route.  Most of these poems start in the Japanese form of Waka or Tanka.With a loose 5 line structure of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables . The music you hear is a duet of Japanese instruments, the Koto harp and the shakuhachi fluteSupport the show

As I am about to leave to walk in Japan on the Kumano Kodo, I will leave Florida and the US and enter a different time zone in many ways.  This will be a pilgrimage into another culture, into walking time when everything slows down and awareness of the moment takes hold.  Meanwhile on my training walks I find refreshing moments.  The final poems are from my book Step by Step  about my Camino walk in 2016.Support the show

The last week in March in Washington DC, the cherry blossoms performed their annual wake up call, to remind us that nature is beautiful and apolitical.  The Smithsonian museums gave us artists sharing their views of their worlds through their creativity - opening our minds, eyes and hearts to new ideas and ways to see and feel the world.  The Smithsonian Zoo welcomed visitors to enjoy its animals and especially the happy Giant Pandas.  These poems reflect my experience during those few days in DC.  Support the show

There is a Taoist parable of a farmer and his lost horse.  It seems that a series of “misfortunes” occur, and each time his neighbors say isn’t that terrible .  His response is “Maybe” or “It’s too soon to say”.Since October last year, when my wife had a bad accident in London, and then with the result of the presidential elections and the first month of this presidency - I have had a hard time writing good poetry and putting together this podcast.  However I have been saying to myself “be optimistic” “Its too soon to say”. “Be grateful for our life”.Support the show

In March 2024 I travelled to New Braunfels, Texas and spent days playing tennis and a night in Gruene Hall.  A friendly bar and music venue.  As usual with my camera in hand, I found people willing and open to share themselves.  I discovered stories in my photos (please look at my website) and my musings in an old note book and realized there was poetry hidden in there!Support the show

After 3 days in Venice I take a bus up into the Dolomite Mountains to my starting point, Cortina.  6 days walking from town to town, across the most unusual and dramatic landscapes shaped both by glacial erosion and volcanic activity.  As you listen to these poems enjoy my photos at thewalkingpoet.net  My  bucket list is shrinking and As one adventure ends, the next one is about to begin!Support the show

AT THE END OF 2023 we spent 2 months in India and some of these poems reflect my experience in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Ganeshpuri where we participated in a retreat called Pilgrimage to the Heart and then stayed and offered service.   Sacred space  seems to exist in  "powerful" physical locations, in reality we each carry own Sacred Space in our Hearts.The Nobel Laureate poet Joseph Brodsky said :Humanity should always be in touch with the Gods,Poetry carries their messages,A poem encases humanity.Support the show

As  I waited for inspiration the world changed - the war between Israel & Hamas - the power battle between extremes in the GOP - The performance we attended of “Considering Matthew Shepard”, a poignant and brilliant reminder of the co-existence of hate and love.  You will hear how I have been effected by these, as I realize that poetry has a valuable role in this world.These poems also reflect my search for an experience of the famed "Vortexes of Sedona".Support the show

This episode continues my photographic trip down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon.  These poems describe the "total experience" of life on the river; ending with our last supper!Support the show

 Season 3 Episode 13 Colorado river poemsfor 7 nights & 8 days in the heat of Late August & early September 2023 I went rafting down the Colorado River through the rapids of  the Grand Canyon, taking a landscape photo workshop with 8 students and 2 teachers. Every evening I read my daily poem to the group - here they are!  Notes: The 2 rafts were named "Raven" and "Red Wall".  A Sarong is a long length of colorful cloth you can wrap around you.  A "Groover" is a portable toilet critical to keeping the river clean.Support the show

These poems are from my first photography & poetry book published on Blurb.com in 2011.  They are a reflection of my concern about the environment (before Al Gore's Book "The Inconvenient Truth").  They follow the 5 Elements of Earth, Water, Air, Wood, & Fire.Support the show

We are lucky to live with a nature preserve on our doorstep, and the Naples Botanical Garden a bike ride away.  We also had a family week in the Outer Banks.  All these places inspired these poems.  I was also motivated by a Masterclass given by Amanda Gorman.Support the show

In Part 1 you heard about Thailand and Laos.  Part 2 is highlights of our experiences in Cambodia and Vietnam - of course all in "verse"!   Living in London, England, I was unaware of the reality of the Vietnam war or later the Khmer Rouge - this trip revealed the true horror that these countries went through; and yet they have successfully moved on.Support the show

In April and May we traveled in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam.  3 1/2 weeks is really just enough time to get a taste for the major cities, countryside and cultures.  So rather than get into the detailed day to day activities I hope to communicate to you the experiences that touched us most.  This episode is about Thailand and Laos.Support the show

During the second half of my State Parks trip I walked on long trails, kayaked and swam in refreshing natural springs, and learned about Florida’s enormous underground rivers and springs that feed into its aquifer systems. I hope my words paint pictures of the places, and you can find photos on my website thewalkingpoet.netSupport the show

If one focuses on Florida’s landscapes, birds and wildlife, ignoring peoples’ politics and outlooks, it has much to offer the walking poet.  In less than a week walking and kayaking, exploring in 9 state parks and conservation areas, searching for Manatees and birds, I felt refreshed - green therapy.In this episode join me in these state parks:  Myakka River and Forest ,  Hillsborough River, and Colt Creek.Support the show

We just passed the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  This made me think about anniversaries and gratitude and the good, the bad, the power of celebrations and memories.Anniversaries are a date, from which we can create, memories good or bad, thoughts joyful or sad.Support the show

Happy New Year - A new year brings new opportunities.  A resolution I have made is that each day I will write at least one poem and take and select at least one new photograph.  I am also going to experiment with different poetic forms, such as GROOKS, invented by the Danish Scientist Piet Hein, and Haiku and Lunes!     And I will get inspired by other poets, like Bernadette Mayer - an innovative poet from Brooklyn - who always surprises.My poems in this episode are about:  New Year's Day;  Simplicity:  Everlasting Razor Blades:  Books:  Opportunities: and Going to Bed!Support the show

Goodbye 202210 years ago Queen Elizabeth 2nd named 2012 Annus Horriblus - well in some ways that could be said of 2022 with a war and a continuing pandemic….However the 8th day of Chanukah and Christmas Day 2022 met in a blaze of light.  And almost real Winter finally hit Naples Florida after 8 years of living here.  Both good reasons to feel gratitude and have a laugh. And we can start fresh in 2023!Support the show

These poems reflect some of my experiences as we moved on from Greece to Ireland.One of the many conversations we had in Ireland, on the streets of Dingle, was with Arthur Broomfield, the poet, and I start with a poem inspired by his book Ireland Calling.  It imagines a childhood in the Greek Islands and then in Ireland.  The delightful music was recorded in pubs and on the streets as we travelled around Ireland.Support the show

 My grandmother was born when travel was by horse and carriage and lived to experience jet planes.  I never ceased to be amazed by the easeful transformation of time and space experienced through air plane travel.  This podcast shares our experiences of this in Greece in August 2022The Odyssey Starts --We wake up in another world Island Memories -Brilliant bleach-white boxy housesMagnificence and Myths - Democracy .. Medicine  ..The Hippocratic Oath ..Asklepios .. Hygeia and Panacea ....Support the show

We have been traveling in Europe for 6 weeks, arriving back in the US September 28th just as Hurricane Ian hit our home town of Naples.  Finally finding a way back 4 days after it hit we gratefully found our home and community which is 4 miles from the beaches, unharmed, unlike much of Naples.  This episode focuses on Hurricane Ian's impact in Naples, nature's resilience and my other "hurricane experiences".Support the show

Living in South West Fl these last 7 years have given a me new perspective of nature and its wonders.  These reflect some of these experiences.Support the show

These poems came as I reflected on the choices I make every day: How I spend my time, what I read and listen to, and consequently what I think about.A theme is that it is easy to get caught in a virtual world of electrons - but Nature is all around us offering beauty and joy.Support the show

Relationships only truly succeed when we breakthrough the barriers, the walls that divide and separate us.  Some of these poems are inspired by Robert Frost's line "Who doesn't love a wall!".   Two poems are inspired by those first unique experiences we have in our lives, particularly as a parent.Support the show

June is going by so fast.  We spent 2 weeks away from home as wars, school shootings and inflation flashed across the media.  Thankfully being in Nature always refreshes me and gives one hope.The poems are about my experiences in Florida & Shenandoah National Park... and a couple of almost private family jokes!Support the show

As a younger adventurous traveller I had many experiences and lessons to learn.  These poems reflect some of those, and they are not at all in chronological order.The summer of 72, part 1 takes place in Colombia Before you know takes place in NepalGreece: takes place on the Pelopennese PeninsularSupport the show

Taking care of the earth and nature comes naturally once you take a walk slowly, appreciating the plants, animals, insects and birds around you. We are lucky to have a small nature preserve on our doorstep.  You will also hear Kassandra' s gong concert where she plays using the Fibonacci pattern.Support the show

This episode has 3 poems:"National Poetry Month" is a humorous poem about poetry book titles."Go to the Page with a Heart as open as the Heart of God" takes this title from a line in a book by Elizabeth Stroud."Journals" is about what goes into our journals and where they all go!Support the show

While our human family suffers in many places around the globe, from Covid and war, Ukraine is staring us in the face.  In our safe and peaceful lives here in the US we must do our best to do whatever we can to reduce pain and bring back joy soon.  We cannot let despair win.The poems include: The sun will shine!   Neighborhood Gong Concert.  The Joy of Bread."In conclusion" has suggestions for how you too can help the refugees.Support the show

Every day since Russia invaded Ukraine I have written something that’s help me process this awful situation; a reality that the world is facing today.  As I listened to this steel band I felt that steel can create music & pleasure or destruction and pain.  It is our choice.The poems came day by day, starting on Saturday (February 26, 2022).  The courage of the Ukrainian people is celebrated and supported.Support the show

GOING WITH THE FLOW- Billy Collins, the great American Poet, suggested pick a starting subject and just keep writing, allowing it to surprise you - and keep at it until it ends.  What is poetry? Good question!  These poems led me to old memories and some new endings.  The last poem was sparked by Mark Doly’s poem - this is your home now.Support the show

Hearing that my friend Curtis passed away in his sleep shocked Kassandra & I.  We have know him for about 30 years.  He did not died from Covid.  Curtis was a little younger than us and this makes me aware of our own mortality.  Most of these poems came from reflecting on this very recent experience.Support the show

Happy New Year 2022.  As I contemplated ideas to start this year with a fresh uncluttered perspective, I recalled the life changing experience of my walking the Camino de Santiago, so  I looked through my books and found a couple of poems I wrote that capture the opportunity this New Year offers.  I also received a photo from an old friend of the new snowfall around his home in Maine, which led to the final poem. The gonging you will hear is a recording of a weekly gong concert my wife Kassandra is now playing for neighbors from our front porch.Support the show

Season 2 Episode 15 - A JOURNEY’S ENDLife has many journeys. This is a short episode to complete our 2021  European trip which ended in Holland.  (please see photos on the website)Over 50 years ago I was in Amsterdam.Have I changed more than the city?Now more multicultural than ever.More extraordinary museums celebrating its artists.More culinary delights and friendly people.Sounds you hear: rain, working windmill, the bells of ZuiderkerkSupport the show

Trapped in the sequencing of time, poetry for now becomes poetry for when?  I wait, sinking in the quicksand, of poetic inspiration about the Danube trip and our daughter’s wedding.  The truth is poetic inspiration and words happen in a moment -  which is “Poetry for Now”.  So I am going back in time to recreate the moments through my journals and photographs, reliving the scenes and times.  These poems capture a few special and poignant experiences rather than being a travelogue of our 3 weeks through Europe.Support the show

In this episode you will hear poems about the completion of the Tour de Mont Blanc, which is about 120 miles long and as you might have guessed from episode 12 the vertical ups and downs make this route seem a lot longer.  One of the beauties of this walk is the opportunity to go through 3 different countries and experience the different cuisines and languages.Support the show

After 6 weeks traveling in Europe I have thousands of images to process and select, from my hike around Mont Blanc, my daughters wedding in Germany, and our river cruise down the Danube.I start the TMB Hike and this episode in Les Hoches, France and will continue in episode 13 in Italy and Switzerland.Writing poetry requires uses a different part of the brain from the visual processing of the images. So expect poetry relating to this trip to appear over the coming weeks. Thanks for your patience, waiting for this podcast!Support the show

It is over 2 months since Kassandra and returned from Colorado, and only 1 week since we returned from Europe.   This podcast completes our National Park odyssey.  I am left feeling I want more time in South Eastern Colorado, so we will return to explore more.  Please visit my website to see images that complement these poems. (www.thewalkingpoet.net)Support the show

This 3rd episode of our National Park trip continues in Cortez, near Mesa Verde, and we travel to Montrose and the Black Canyon of Gunnison.   Next stop, after a surprising drive, is Crested Butte. In Winter a ski resort, in summer a mountain biker’s paradise.   Please go to thewalkingpoet.net and the Season 2 webpage to see photos.Support the show

This is the second podcast following our trip through national parks and local hikes.  In this episode we are in Utah, where we stayed 5 days in Moab, exploring the area before moving on to Mesa Verde.Support the show

It's been about a month of silence from me. During that time Kassandra and I have traveled to six national parks and I completed a landscape photography course in the Badlands of South Dakota. Now I am preparing for a walk around Mont blanc. At the same time I have been editing thousands of photographs taken during our trip. Strangely I find it difficult to be creative visually and with words at the same time, so here goes - here come the words.This episode starts in South Dakota and Wyoming, and takes us across the Rockies into Utah.Support the show

These poems came out of a  few days in DC the nations capital finding the RENWICK Gallery of Folk Art  inspiring and discovering the outside artwork and murals on the Metropolitan bike trail and buildings around Washington DC and also  experiencing the National Zoo.  The last poem was written in 2011 about WARLI art created in India.  You will see the connection!Support the show

I am sitting here in a wild Florida summer monsoon storm: rain, thunder and lightning.  You will probably hear the sounds of the storm and this is a perfect backdrop for the idea that nothing physical is permanent and that everything - almost everything - is changing every moment.You will hear poems about how technology, time and nature change AND we can create our own unique future.Support the show

In this episode you will hear about Ernest Hemingway, Tea and the wonderful, positive impact the pandemic shutdowns have had on the natural world.  My hope is that we can continue to protect and support the natural world intentionally, instead of simply as a side effect.Support the show