Keith Jarrett’s “The Köln Concert” by Mike Monteiro
Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" Here’s a brief recap of Keith Jarrett’s day on January 24, 1975: He drives six hours from Zurich, Switzerland, where he played a few days earlier, to Köln, Germany. He… Continue Reading
“My Wisdom” by Naomi Shihab Nye
My Wisdom When people have a lotthey want moreWhen people have nothingthey will happily share it*Some people saynever getting your waybuilds characterBy now our character must bedeep and wide as a continentAfrica, Australiagiant cascade of… Continue Reading
“Once the World Was Perfect” by Joy Harjo
Once the World Was Perfect Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world. Then we took it for granted. Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind. Then Doubt pushed… Continue Reading
“Burning the Old Year” by Naomi Shihab Nye
Burning the Old Year Letters swallow themselves in seconds.Notes friends tied to the doorknob,transparent scarlet paper,sizzle like moth wings,marry the air. So much of any year is flammable,lists of vegetables, partial poems.Orange swirling flame of… Continue Reading
“A Few Rules for Predicting the Future” by Octavia E. Butler
A Few Rules for Predicting the Future “So do you really believe that in the future we’re going to have the kind of trouble you write about in your books?” a student asked me as… Continue Reading
“Model-Train Display at Christmas in a Shopping Mall Food Court” by James Arthur
Model-Train Display at Christmas in a Shopping Mall Food Court These kids watching so intently on every side of the display must love the feeling of being gigantic: of having a giant’s power over this… Continue Reading
“To My Brother Miguel in memoriam” by César Vallejo
To My Brother Miguel in memoriam Brother, today I sit on the brick bench outside the house, where you make a bottomless emptiness.I remember we used to play at this hour of the day, and… Continue Reading
“Distant Lights of Olancha Recede” by Harold Budd
Distant Lights of Olancha Recede The boy, my boyLets the full charge flyThe sound is masked by the rolling thunder peeling off the Sierras Late desert evening, getting black, getting feralThe kilns haven’t felt fire… Continue Reading
“If The World Was Crazy” by Shel Silverstein
If The World Was Crazy If the world was crazy, you know what I’d eat?A big slice of soup and a whole quart of meatA lemonade sandwich, and then I might trySome roasted ice cream… Continue Reading
“Eighteen Flavors” by Shel Silverstein
Eighteen Flavors Eighteen luscious, scrumptious flavors—Chocolate, lime and cherry,Coffee, pumpkin, fudge-banana,Caramel cream and boysenberry,Rocky road and toasted almond,Butterscotch, vanilla dip,Butter-brickle, apple ripple,Coconut and mocha chip,Brandy peach and lemon custard,Each scoop lovely, smooth, and round,Tallest ice-cream… Continue Reading