Listening to Dream On by Aerosmith, great song. Tonight is my open mic. I say "my open mic" because I have committed myself to it on a Wednesday night. I will read some poetry and share one or two songs. Last night I went to my Bipolar support group, again I say… Read full post »

It's so important to look at the big picture, not get so caught up in the present that one loses a sense of the whole. I know, focusing on the present is a Zen thing, and I do try to do it when it is called for. But our mind and brain… Read full post »

One thing I have learned over time is that it can be easier to pontificate than it is to share from the heart, but not as effective or beneficial to others. Of course, heart and mind must work together, or ideally do work together. The mind can tell us that we know better… Read full post »

Time to Walk Down a New Road  yesterday, with all of its confusion, is gone  now, to begin again, in the darkness before dawn  I can deal with anything  I've been down in that dark place, yes, many times  but no one can destroy me deep inside

now spirit birds cry… Read full post »

feeling upset all day, but still not dumping my anger  it's a lot of things, not one thing, bothering me  I talk to Linda about it and feel better

they say that underneath anger are feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, fear, guilt, loneliness, trauma experienced and loss  I believe it,&… Read full post »

I felt the frustration, anger rose up, and I wanted to raise my voice, but did not suddenly, without warning I held back, held it in, went upstrairs, took a shower, packed up for my journey to Dunkin' Donut gradually, those feelings dissipated, and when I came back home I noticed… Read full post »

I appreciated the comments about some of my poetry rejected by a periodical yesterday. Several said that they appreciated the naturalness of the voice. And that is one of the things I strive for--to rid myself of artifice, as a poet and person. It's sometimes not easy to do that in… Read full post »

Another poetry rejection. Well, I'll share them with you anyway...

Two Sides of America

I remember a well-heeled lady shaking her head at me as I carried my guitar to a gig with no case  she acted like I was exposing myself to her, like I would ask her for… Read full post »

Heading for the Y at 1 PM. Working hard on my poetry. I have three things on my calendar next week...

Monday, my Bipolar support group, attending to my emotional needs.

Wednesday, the open-mic, where I read poetry and perform, attending to my creative needs.

Friday, my neurologist, attending to my… Read full post »

Another rejection, this time by an agent, and another submission to a poetry journal. Every time I receive a no, the more determined I become. It is like when you're on the basketball court the the other team is starting to pull away, and you just say to yourself, "This is… Read full post »

New England Man  there is an old New England man, still he teaches how to sail, waves and tide are always new to him.  Still he teaches folks like me how to shed my misery, turn my furrowed face to sky and wind

old New England man is he, Irishman… Read full post »

saying what I really think and feel without crushing anyone's spirit, dealing with anger the right way is a moment by moment… Read full post »

One of my OS favorites, after going through personal loss, is doing so well, I think, though the grief process will continue, that I felt led to say in my comment three simple words, "You're doing great!"

Those three simple words can mean so much to a person who is bravely meeting challenge… Read full post »

A pretty good day, with some stresses. Interacting with the landlord I find stressful. "Dear landlord, please don't put a price on my soul" Bob Dylan. I know business is business, but the business is business attitude, if taken to the extreme, becomes chilling in its effect. I probably am being… Read full post »

Down at the Ugly Mug the people gather--"The people, yes, the people," as Walt Whitman put it--on a Wednesday night, pickers and singers and songwriters and poets and storeytellers, more beauty in what they do than most people realize in the wider world.

I feel sadness because this event is not… Read full post »

Linda went for a CAT scan for her stomach and I am still having some physical problems that will be checked out. Otherwise, we are fine. Family issues seemingly resolved.

Going to my favorite open mic tonight and instead of performing music I will read poetry! In a "Redneck-Mountain" venue...It will… Read full post »

pain in my gut and pain in the family and I don't know what to do to fix any of it  if I knew what to do, I would do it  the pain in my gut scares me a little  I feel a lump  Linda's making some soup and I'l try to get that… Read full post »

We are definitely moving to a nicer place next month and are very happy. It is just down the main road but closer to the main road so we can walk to some of our favorite stores. It has a large screened porch for the cats. The rooms are MUCH bigger,… Read full post »

another sleepless night  I'm okay, and yet I'm not  the sky is still dark, but

soon it will be dawn  my body is telling me something, and so is my mind

there's important work to do, words to set down as close to the truth as I

can… Read full post »

I feel like I am racing against time

keep on working harder and harder

is this a premonition?

on my way to the cafe at dawn

crow, spirit bird, crosses my path 

crying out to me...a warning?

I sleep fitfully, get up in the middle of the night

write some more, finally… Read full post »

I got plenty of rest last night and energy came back. Poetry revision is going well and I have found several appropriate mags to send it to. The feedback i received from OS friends was very helpful in terms of convincing me i am on the right track w/poetry revision.

New… Read full post »

just exhausted tonight  don't know why  been working hard today on writing and music  maybe it's just normal  heading for bed  supposed to have a stress test tomorrow but if the insurance doesn't pay I may cancel till this can be appealed

I feel like I made a breakthrough wit… Read full post »

It's good, very good, to go back and visit your work and make good changes  nothing, my friends, is set in stone  inner and outer reality are constantly though subtly transformed   

Cat Dreams

it's four am in Kingstree and Lily is beside me on the chair  I pl… Read full post »

Working hard all day on writing and music stuff. I know, it's Saturday, but I have a date with my wife for dinner and a concert tonight. I am sort of dreading the concert; I lose a lot of energy at night and am not comfortable in crowds. But I'm going, anyway.… Read full post »

light in the sky and a crow

cries out to me from deep

in the woods

Lily our cat peaceful

on the window sill

I finally made it through

the long night

mystery returns

along with my desire

to explore

***

Going through my poetry again w/the red… Read full post »