Poetry and About Poetry

Adjusting to the Lights by Tom C. Hunley My rating: 3 of 5 stars View all my reviews

A small gift to each of you: It may be snow that remakes friendships, bringing us together in early evenings to share warmth and food and company. It may be the memory of an ancient season, caught between childhood and age. But the crunch of snow on the porch announces each welcome visitor, the cold insinuation of wind through the door precedes each ruddy, smiling face. It may be snow that remakes friendships, but it’s love that turns the snow into this season. And we renew ourselves around the fire of memory each time the cold door opens on the warmth of eyes. -David Anthony Sam

My poem, "Severance," can be read for free now in the online issue of   From the Depths . Please consider supporting them by buying a copy. 

My poem, “Severance,” can be read for free now in the online issue of   From the Depths . Please consider supporting them by buying a copy. 

Thank you to Editor Glenn Lyvers of  Poetry Quarterly  which will feature 2 of my poems in the next issue. 

 Thank you to Editor Glenn Lyvers of  Poetry Quarterly  which will feature 2 of my poems in the next issue. 

My poem “Plague Migration” is now available for viewing online in the latest issue of the Arkansan Review  HERE . My thanks to the editors. 

My poem "Plague Migration" is now available for viewing online in the latest issue of the Arkansan Review  HERE . My thanks to the editors. 

Thank you to the editors of the  Arkansan Review  who will publish my poem “Plague Migration” in December.  They have previously published 2 of my poems. 

Thank you to the editors of the  Arkansan Review  who will publish my poem "Plague Migration" in December.  They have previously published 2 of my poems. 

The Voices Project  will publish my poem “Broom” in their March 2021 issue. Thank you Editor Denise Powell who has previously published my work. 

The Voices Project  will publish my poem "Broom" in their March 2021 issue. Thank you Editor Denise Powell who has previously published my work. 

https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2020/11/05

  https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2020/11/05

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Episode 1 – November 3, 2020

 Three of my poems have been published on  Voices on the Wind  and you may read them for free: – “ Meditation “ – “ Meditations in Blue “ – “ The Naming “ Thank you Editor Leslie Clark. 

  Three of my poems have been published on  Voices on the Wind  and you may read them for free: - " Meditation " - " Meditations in Blue " - " The Naming " Thank you Editor Leslie Clark. 

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My reading from the NW Region’s October Poetry Festival on October 29, 2020 can be viewed HERE .

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 My reading from the NW Region's October Poetry Festival on October 29, 2020 can be viewed HERE .

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 I will be teaching Creative Writing I and II beginning in January 2021 at Germanna Community College.

 I will be teaching Creative Writing I and II beginning in January 2021 at Germanna Community College.

Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 by John Ferling My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

On November 7 and 1:15 p.m. Beth Spragins, Kathy Smaltz and I will serve on a virtual panel at the November Rappahannock Writers Conference sponsored by Rappahannock Regional Library. Poetry in a Plague Year   Poets David Anthony Sam, Kathy Smaltz, and Elizabeth Spencer Spragins will discuss the consolations of poetry and contours of the creative journey. The panelists will share their strategies for overcoming the challenge of a blank page and embarking on the path to publication. Submitting poetry to journals, finding a traditional book publisher, and handling rejection are key components of the poetic life. Topics include: the consolations of poetry, overcoming the challenge of a blank page, submitting your poetry to journals, handling rejection, and finding a traditional publisher for your book. For information or to register go here: https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/events/5f6e33932a966623003bd988?_ga=2.29711612.271463854.1603553535-949258886.1603553535

 On November 7 and 1:15 p.m. Beth Spragins, Kathy Smaltz and I will serve on a virtual panel at the November Rappahannock Writers Conference sponsored by Rappahannock Regional Library. Poetry in a Plague Year   Poets David Anthony Sam, Kathy Smaltz, and Elizabeth Spencer Spragins will discuss the consolations of poetry and contours of the creative journey. The panelists will share their strategies for overcoming the challenge of a blank page and embarking on the path to publication. Submitting poetry to journals, finding a traditional book publisher, and handling rejection are key components of the poetic life. Topics include: the consolations of poetry, overcoming the challenge of a blank page, submitting your poetry to journals, handling rejection, and finding a traditional publisher for your book. For information or to register go here: https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/events/5f6e33932a966623003bd988?_ga=2.29711612.271463854.1603553535-949258886.1603553535

October Poetry Festival reminder and registration link An October Poetry Festival will be held Thursday, October 29,  from 4 p.m. to 7. It is cosponsored by Germanna Community College and the Poetry Society of Virginia. 4:00 Beth Spragins Workshop 5:00 Former Virginia Poet Laureate Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda Reading 5:30 David Anthony Sam Reading 6:00 Open Mic for PSV members, Germanna Community College students and staff, and the general public ( 5 minutes per poet) Register at the link below and you will receive confirmation with the URL for the Zoom Conference https://vccs.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpfu6qrzstG9wyJ62Po3S5rI5nG9-Ln9eb

  October Poetry Festival reminder and registration link An October Poetry Festival will be held Thursday, October 29,  from 4 p.m. to 7. It is cosponsored by Germanna Community College and the Poetry Society of Virginia. 4:00 Beth Spragins Workshop 5:00 Former Virginia Poet Laureate Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda Reading 5:30 David Anthony Sam Reading 6:00 Open Mic for PSV members, Germanna Community College students and staff, and the general public ( 5 minutes per poet) Register at the link below and you will receive confirmation with the URL for the Zoom Conference https://vccs.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpfu6qrzstG9wyJ62Po3S5rI5nG9-Ln9eb 

 Join other writers and me for this year’s Rappahannock Writers Conference delivered virtually. Beth Spragins, Kathy Smaltz and I will serve on a panel at 1:15p.m. Poetry in a Plague Year Presented by David Anthony Sam, Elizabeth Spencer Spragins, and Kathy Smaltz Poets David Anthony Sam, Kathy Smaltz, and Elizabeth Spencer Spragins will discuss the consolations of poetry and contours of the creative journey. The panelists will share their strategies for overcoming the challenge of a blank page and embarking on the path to publication. Submitting poetry to journals, finding a traditional book publisher, and handling rejection are key components of the poetic life. Topics include: the consolations of poetry, overcoming the challenge of a blank page, submitting your poetry to journals, handling rejection, and finding a traditional publisher for your book. https://www.librarypoint.org/rappahannock-writers-conference/#schedule

Join other writers and me for this year’s Rappahannock Writers Conference delivered virtually. Beth Spragins, Kathy Smaltz and I will serve on a panel at 1:15: Poetry in a Plague Year Presented by David Anthony Sam, Elizabeth Spencer Spragins, and Kathy Smaltz Poets David Anthony Sam, Kathy Smaltz, and Elizabeth Spencer Spragins will discuss the consolations of poetry and contours of the creative journey. The panelists will share their strategies for overcoming the challenge of a blank page and embarking on the path to publication. Submitting poetry to journals, finding a traditional book publisher, and handling rejection are key components of the poetic life. Topics include: the consolations of poetry, overcoming the challenge of a blank page, submitting your poetry to journals, handling rejection, and finding a traditional publisher for your book. https://www.librarypoint.org/rappahannock-writers-conference/#schedule

Voices on the Wind will publish 3 of my poems in their November issue. Thank you Editor Leslie Clark.

   Voices on the Wind will publish 3 of my poems in their November issue. Thank you Editor Leslie Clark.

Congratulations to Louise Glück https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nobel-prize-2020-winner-literature-intl/index.html

All We Ask is You to be Happy by Angie Sijun Lou My rating: 2 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Holy Heathen Rhapsody  by  Pattiann Rogers My rating:  5 of 5 stars I am constantly impressed by Pattiann Rogers craft, the careful music of her words, and her ability to interweave nature, science, spirituality, philosophy and everyday life. This is another fine collection I will reread again and again.  View all my reviews

Holy Heathen Rhapsody by Pattiann Rogers My rating: 5 of 5 stars I am constantly impressed by Pattiann Rogers craft, the careful music of her words, and her ability to interweave nature, science, spirituality, philosophy and everyday life. This is another fine collection I will reread again and again. View all my reviews

Rage by Bob Woodward My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

A Juror Must Fold In On Herself  by  Kathleen McClung My rating:  4 of 5 stars Kathleen McClung uses her experience as a juror to create poems in traditional forms. He craft is excellent and the poems are interesting and real. The interplay of the proceedings with her stray thoughts and her contemplation of the role she is playing all weave together in this worthy collection. View all my reviews

A Juror Must Fold In On Herself by Kathleen McClung My rating: 4 of 5 stars Kathleen McClung uses her experience as a juror to create poems in traditional forms. He craft is excellent and the poems are interesting and real. The interplay of the proceedings with her stray thoughts and her contemplation of the role she is playing all weave together in this worthy collection. View all my reviews

Every Riven Thing: Poems by Christian Wiman My rating: 4 of 5 stars A musical and metaphysical collection where Christian Wiman faces disease and death with honesty and poetic courage. View all my reviews

In 1977, “After Rain” was published in a now defunct journal called”The Poet.” After Rain When the filthy air falls in rain you can forget your footprints. They, like life and youth, have probably deserted you. With the cold wind burning in thru your thin clothes and cutting your flesh up like meat, the rain has probably passed, left behind, the consistent creep of frost out of the same night air. It bleeds from the moon, this iced dust, and clings to the rain felled leaves. The silver crunch of walking thru the silence of ice is heresy. But it does leave the sure imprint of your past in the morning- to-be- melted frost after rain. Printed in The Poet 11/9/77

Haunted Waters Press  will publish my poem, “Severance,” in their upcoming annual issue. This is the third time they have printed my poetry and  I thank the editor, Susan Utley.

Haunted Waters Press  will publish my poem, "Severance," in their upcoming annual issue. This is the third time they have printed my poetry and  I thank the editor,  Susan Utley.

 

Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie My rating: 0 of 5 stars View all my reviews

A Bell for Adano by John Hersey My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The Mueller Report: : Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election by Robert S. Mueller III My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen My rating: 5 of 5 stars A fantastic dose of therapeutic dark humor from the weird brain of Carl Hiassen, this novel skewers Florida yet again and the bombastic Commander-in-Chief. View all my reviews

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Kepler's Witch: An Astronomer's Discovery of Cosmic Order Amid Religious War, Political Intrigue, and the Heresy Trial of His Mother by James A. Connor My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

 Heron Tree #7 which includes my poem “Enlargement” is available for free download  HERE . My thanks to the editors, Chris Campolo and Rebecca Resinski. 

  Heron Tree #7 which includes my poem "Enlargement" is available for free download  HERE . My thanks to the editors, Chris Campolo and Rebecca Resinski. 

Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular by Lawrence Rust Hills My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

 My Creative Writing I class this fall is half full and begins on August 24 online. Students will have the opportunity to write short fiction, a 10-minute play and short poetry.  Register here:   https://m.sis.vccs.edu/app/catalog/classsection/GC297/2204/13021

My Creative Writing I class this fall is half full and begins on August 24 online. Students will have the opportunity to write short fiction, a 10-minute play and short poetry.  Register here:  https://m.sis.vccs.edu/app/catalog/classsection/GC297/2204/13021

Ledger: Poems  by  Jane Hirshfield My rating:  4 of 5 stars A bit uneven in places where some poems feel like exercises, this is still another worth collection by one of my favorite poets, Jane Hirshfield. She has the ability to weave image, autobiography, nature, politics, and philosophy with just the right words. View all my reviews

Ledger: Poems by Jane Hirshfield My rating: 4 of 5 stars A bit uneven in places where some poems feel like exercises, this is still another worth collection by one of my favorite poets, Jane Hirshfield. She has the ability to weave image, autobiography, nature, politics, and philosophy with just the right words. View all my reviews

After  by  Jane Hirshfield My rating:  4 of 5 stars A beautiful collection  Hirshfield at her worst is better than most of our bests. Not that this collection is in any way unsatisfactory. It may not be her best but it still echoes with beauty and pain and acceptance.  View all my reviews

After by Jane Hirshfield My rating: 4 of 5 stars A beautiful collection Hirshfield at her worst is better than most of our bests. Not that this collection is in any way unsatisfactory. It may not be her best but it still echoes with beauty and pain and acceptance. View all my reviews

March: Book Three by John Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

March: Book Two by John Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

March: Book Two by John Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

March: Book One by John Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

My chapbook collection,  Generative Noise , was a semifinalist in  Cutbank Literary Journal’ s annual chapbook contest, but unfortunately did not advance further. 

My chapbook collection,  Generative Noise , was a semifinalist in  Cutbank Literary Journal’ s annual chapbook contest, but unfortunately did not advance further. 

My chapbook collection, Generative Noise , was a semifinalist in  Cutbank Literary Journal' s annual chapbook contest, but unfortunately did not advance further. 

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption  by  Bryan Stevenson My rating:  5 of 5 stars If you believe in justice for all, equal justice for all, not as a myth or a slogan but as an ideal to be fought for, read this book. If you think it already exists, read this book.  View all my reviews

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption  by  Bryan Stevenson My rating:  5 of 5 stars If you believe in justice for all, equal justice for all, not as a myth or a slogan but as an ideal to be fought for, read this book. If you think it already exists, read this book.  View all my reviews

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you believe in justice for all, equal justice for all, not as a myth or a slogan but as an ideal to be fought for, read this book. If you think it already exists, read this book. View all my reviews

Congressman John Lewis’s Favorite Lines of Poetry – In 2015 during National Poetry Month in April, the Academy of American Poets reached out to… — Read on poets.org/text/congressman-john-lewiss-favorite-lines-poetry

Congressman John Lewis’s Favorite Lines of Poetry - In 2015 during National Poetry Month in April, the Academy of American Poets reached out to... — Read on poets.org/text/congressman-john-lewiss-favorite-lines-poetry

Congressman John Lewis’s Favorite Lines of Poetry – In 2015 during National Poetry Month in April, the Academy of American Poets reached out to… — Read on poets.org/text/congressman-john-lewiss-favorite-lines-poetry

“Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.” John Lewis

“Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.” John Lewis

“Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.” John Lewis

Three of my poems are published in the Spring 2020 issue of  The MacGuffin , available for purchase  HERE .  My deepest thanks to the Editors: Steven A. Dolgin and Gordon Krupsky.

Three of my poems are published in the Spring 2020 issue of  The MacGuffin , available for purchase  HERE .  My deepest thanks to the Editors: Steven A. Dolgin and Gordon Krupsky.

Three of my poems are published in the Spring 2020 issue of  The MacGuffin , available for purchase  HERE .  My deepest thanks to the Editors: Steven A. Dolgin and Gordon Krupsky.

Two of my poems are now available for you to read in the July 2020 issue of the  Red Earth Review  HERE .

Two of my poems are now available for you to read in the July 2020 issue of the  Red Earth Review  HERE .

Two of my poems are now available for you to read in the July 2020 issue of the  Red Earth Review  HERE .

Do you agree with the following statements? Asian people are naturally smarter in school. Black people are better at sports because their race gives them physical advantages. Mexicans are inherently less ambitious and that’s why they don’t work as hard. The reason that police use more violence in minority communities is because the people there are more violent. The reason certain minorities are poorer is because they don’t try. People should live in neighborhoods with their own kind. It’s the natural thing to do. White people deserve to be where they are because they earned it. Italians are more emotional than other peoples. Most Asian people become professionals like doctors and scientists. White people are not great dancers because they lack natural rhythm. The real racists are those who keep talking about racism. All lives matter. Stop singling out black lives. Blacks and liberal white people have a vested interest in racism. The reason police pull more black people

Do you agree with the following statements? Asian people are naturally smarter in school. Black people are better at sports because their race gives them physical advantages. Mexicans are inherently less ambitious and that’s why they don’t work as hard. The reason that police use more violence in minority communities is because the people there are more violent. The reason certain minorities are poorer is because they don’t try. People should live in neighborhoods with their own kind. It’s the natural thing to do. White people deserve to be where they are because they earned it. Italians are more emotional than other peoples. Most Asian people become professionals like doctors and scientists. White people are not great dancers because they lack natural rhythm. The real racists are those who keep talking about racism. All lives matter. Stop singling out black lives. Blacks and liberal white people have a vested interest in racism. The reason police pull more black people over is because

Do you agree with the following statements? 1. Asian people are naturally smarter in school. 2. Black people are better at sports because their race gives them physical advantages. 3. Mexicans are inherently less ambitious and that’s why they don’t work as hard. 4. The reason that police use more violence in minority communities is because the people there are more violent. 5. The reason certain minorities are poorer is because they don’t try. 6. People should live in neighborhoods with their own kind. It’s the natural thing to do. 7. White people deserve to be where they are because they earned it. 8. Italians are more emotional than other peoples. 9. Most Asian people become professionals like doctors and scientists. 10. White people are not great dancers because they lack natural rhythm. 11. The real racists are those who keep talking about racism. 12. All lives matter. Stop singling out black lives. 13. Blacks and liberal white people have a vested interes

Monuments and memorials are created in the present of their erection as an interpretation of the past. Damaging or destroying them is vandalism and is a crime, though a much less serious crime that assault or murder whether by a civilian or an officer of the law under cover of authority. Those memorials and monuments are reinterpreted by each generation as they rethink the meaning of our history. They may try to fix that interpretation but our judgement of the past evolves. The motivations of those who erected those monuments and memorials probably varied among the individuals who supported doing so. But it is a fact that they were erected during the imposition of Jim Crow, the revival of the KKK after WWI, and in response to the Civil Rights movement, especially after Brown v. Board. And the espoused motivation as expressed in speeches at the time of the dedication of those memorials often clearly stated they were monument to preservation of the “Anglo-Saxon race” against those of

Monuments and memorials are created in the present of their erection as an interpretation of the past. Damaging or destroying them is vandalism and is a crime, though a much less serious crime that assault or murder whether by a civilian or an officer of the law under cover of authority. Those memorials and monuments are reinterpreted by each generation as they rethink the meaning of our history. They may try to fix that interpretation but our judgement of the past evolves. The motivations of those who erected those monuments and memorials probably varied among the individuals who supported doing so. But it is a fact that they were erected during the imposition of Jim Crow, the revival of the KKK after WWI, and in response to the Civil Rights movement, especially after Brown v. Board. And the espoused motivation as expressed in speeches at the time of the dedication of those memorials often clearly stated they were monument to preservation of the “Anglo-Saxon race” against those of inf

Monuments and Memorials Some brief reflections   1.        Monuments and memorials are created in the present of their erection as an interpretation of the past. 2.        Damaging or destroying them is vandalism and is a crime, though a much less serious crime that assault or murder whether by a civilian or an officer of the law under cover of authority. 3.        Those memorials and monuments are reinterpreted by each generation as they rethink the meaning of our history. They may try to fix that interpretation but our judgement of the past evolves. 4.        The motivations of those who erected those monuments and memorials probably varied among the individuals who supported doing so. But it is a fact that they were erected during the imposition of Jim Crow, the revival of the KKK after WWI, and in response to the Civil Rights movement, especially after Brown v. Board. 5.        And the espoused motivation as expressed in speeches at the time of the dedication of those memorials oft