Fragment 9: The Netherlands by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Fragment 9: The Netherlandsby Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) Water and windmills, greenness, Islets green;—Willows whose trunks beside the shadows stoodOf their own higher half, and willowy swamp:—Farmhouses that at anchor seem’d—in the inland skyThe fog-transfixing spiresWater, wide water, greenness and green banks,And water seen— PHOTO: Kinderdijk, Netherlands. Photo by Giuseppe Bandiera on Unsplash. NOTE: KinderdijkContinue reading “Fragment 9: The Netherlands by Samuel Taylor Coleridge”

Shaker Orchard by Mark Doty

Shaker Orchardby Mark Doty Holding even flowers subjectto the principle of use,the Shakers inventedthe notion of packaged seedsand a steam-powereddistiller for rosewater.They uncluttered roomstill space filledwith Universal Light—white walls, a chest, a chairhung on pegs beside a broomso perfect in its simplicityas to become a pure channel:there was nothing in those linesto impede the flowof theContinue reading “Shaker Orchard by Mark Doty”

A Covered Bridge in Littleton, New Hampshire by Stephanie Burt

A Covered Bridge in Littleton, New Hampshireby Stephanie Burt I can remember when I wanted Xmore than anything ever—for X fill infrom your own childhood [balloon, pencil lead, trading card, shoelaces, a bowor not to have to wear a bow] and now I am moved to action, when I am moved,principally by a memory ofContinue reading “A Covered Bridge in Littleton, New Hampshire by Stephanie Burt”

The Igloo by Matthew Sweeney

The Igloo by Matthew Sweeney Outside the igloo he waited for an invitation to come inside. There was no knocker, no doorbell. He coughed, there was no reply. He crouched down and peered in. He felt the warm air from a fire pat his cheeks and ruffle his hair. Hello he said quietly and repeated it.Continue reading “The Igloo by Matthew Sweeney”

Snowy Owl Near Ocean Shores by Duane Niatum

Snowy Owl Near Ocean Shoresby Duane Niatum A castaway blown south from the arctic tundrasits on a stump in an abandoned farmer’s field.Beyond the dunes cattails toss and bend as snappyas the surf, rushing and crashing down the jetty. His head a swivel of round glances,his eyes a deeper yellow than the winter sun,he wondersContinue reading “Snowy Owl Near Ocean Shores by Duane Niatum”

American Airlines Put Us in First Class, Miami to Port-au-Prince, After a 24-Hour Delay by Kyle Laws

American Airlines Put Us in First Class,Miami to Port-au-Prince, After a 24-Hour Delayby Kyle Laws Greets us with champagneas we sit in our seats,feeds us chilled salmon over greens,pita chips & red pepper hummus,wine with our meal. The warmed cookies for dessertwe share with Roger Jean Charles &Pere Max who have waited two hoursat theContinue reading “American Airlines Put Us in First Class, Miami to Port-au-Prince, After a 24-Hour Delay by Kyle Laws”

Caribbean by Donald Hall

Caribbean by Donald Hall Montego Bay in its quick curve listens to the plane, waiting for the cross of silver to soften down. In the air, above, past the frail wing and the gauze glint of propellers, we see the thick curve of the green: the aqua- marine! This is the Caribbean Sea, and theContinue reading “Caribbean by Donald Hall”

Caribbean Nights by Richard Butler Glaenzer

Caribbean Nightsby Richard Butler Glaenzer There are too many stars:They jostle;They quarrel with the moonTill she grows sullen. The fireflies are more quiet,More generous;Their little lamps reveal flowersAnd love-looks and smiles. PHOTO: Caribbean island of Curaçao. Photo by Jabneel Statia on Unsplash NOTE: Curaçao is an island country in the southern Caribbean about 40 miles northContinue reading “Caribbean Nights by Richard Butler Glaenzer”

Syracuse at Dusk by Frances Daggar Roberts

Syracuse at Duskby Frances Daggar Roberts Seated at art-glass tablesby the muted tug of sea…lights across the bayand the feeling of centuriespreceding us.Battered bases to the buildingssome as old as Grecian conquest.Rough cobbled stonesand the evening stroll of families.Wine in our glasses slowly sipped. PHOTO: Fountain of Arethusa, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Photo by Luca NContinue reading “Syracuse at Dusk by Frances Daggar Roberts”

Tasting Lucca by Joan Leotta

Tasting Luccaby Joan Leotta Humming Puccini, wewalk the wide path on topof Lucca’s circular walluntil we reach the market steps.I descend to buy red beans, farro,Parmigiano, tomatoes, pancetta.In our apartment,I blend and magnifyflavors with a bit of thyme.As our soup simmers,the aroma transports us frommodern Lucca to its days as aconquered Etruscan outpost ofRome, soldiersContinue reading “Tasting Lucca by Joan Leotta”