on the Gulf of Poets Old castles, dead poets, Saturday markets, golf courses, Olive groves, sharp stones, Percy Shelley drowned, Mary Shelley dreamed up Frankenstein, called the creature forth from cerulean waters. Monsters and beauty are never far separated. A body lay still by the trail wrapped in foil and…

To you, little bird, this Friday is good, as every day is good, each morning, mercy-full Sunrise, sunset, you seek and find daily bread in the stone shadows of cathedrals You rest on red-tiled rooftops, as men beneath seek luxury, purchase what to you is free Might they live like you – numbered, known, counted, considered and considerate Cross and crown and all other things freely received as freely given

Rilke Translation — In their long brown hair they lie, Deep in self, vision long gone. The Eyes too far distant. Skeletons, Mouths, Flowers. In their mouths, smooth teeth like a travel chess set carved of elephant tusk, arranged in rows. And flowers, golden pearls, slender bones, Hands and Hems, withering fabric over collapsed hearts. But there, under those rings, Talismans…

Wisdom of Emily Dickinson Much Madness is divinest Sense - To a discerning Eye - Much Sense — the starkest Madness - ’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail - Assent — and you are sane - Demur — you’re straightway dangerous - And handled with a Chain - …

Rilke Translation — Like kindling in the hand, white, before the flame ignites, from all sides twitching tongues stretch — beginning in the circle of nearby spectators, hasty, flickering hard and hot, her spinning dance spreads. And now she is Fire, utter and complete. With one look, she sets her hair ablaze, and with daring skill…

in the Summer of 1945 — Ankle deep in brown salt-water beneath criss-crossed trusses Brother clutches a found treasure She scowls in the sunshine Interrupted from play as an eager parent begs a moment of attention. Two of the first of the baby-boomers Their father couldn’t march So he mixed chemicals for the newspapers that carried word of WWII around the world. This is a snapshot of victory. . . Of safety. . . A girl and her brother play in the surf unafraid of a wild warring world

Rilke Translation & Prompt — Dreaming eye. Forehead touching something distant. Feeling of youth around the mouth, somber seduction, the ornamental lace of the trim, noble uniform, the sheathed sword in both hands — waiting, calm, unperturbed. And now in twilight, more noticeable, first of the far-reaching, vanished. All that is banished laughs at our misunderstanding, and dives deep into cloudy depths…

Rilke Translation — Silent friend from far-flung fields, feel how your breath expands boundaries. From the darkest steeple, ring loud. What devours you becomes strong from this food. Transform yourself, out and in What is your truest experience? If you drink bitterness, become wine. Stand tonight, supernaturally spellbound at the crossroad of your senses, sense the mystical encounter…

The Wisdom of Emily Dickinson There is a strength in proving that it can be borne Although it tear — What are the sinews of cordage for Except to bear The ship might be of satin had it not to fight — To walk on seas requires cedar feet I…