Category: writing life

Friday Five: Q&A with poet and ‘Sparks of Calliope’ editor Randal Burd

‘I try to make poetic observations that tie in to our common humanity.’

Randal Burd

On this, the first Friday of National Poetry Month, I’m pleased to introduce readers to Randal Burd, a fellow Missourian whose second book of poetry, Memoirs of a Witness Tree, was published in 2020 by Kelsay Books. His first book of poetry is a self-published work titled Leaving Home: Discoveries and Reflections of a Once-Sheltered Heart. An educator, freelance editor and writer, and genealogist, he also is the creator of the “journal of poetic observations,” Sparks of Calliope. His poetry appears in numerous print and online journals (partial listing). Learn more about Randal and his writing on his website, The Edge of Memory.

Continue reading “Friday Five: Q&A with poet and ‘Sparks of Calliope’ editor Randal Burd”

Easter Monday, resurrected writings

None of us gets to live forever. But perhaps our words will outlive us, somehow.

Today is April Fools’ Day, a day of joy for pranksters, a day of annoyance for those of us who may be subject to the pranks. (You’ll find no pranks or tomfoolery on this blog today. I hope you’re not disappointed.) It is also the first day of National Poetry Month, which ought to be celebrated broadly, and I plan to do my part to highlight poetry in the coming days and weeks.

Today is also Easter Monday, which is celebrated in some parts of the world, but, aside from the annual Easter egg hunt on the White House lawn today, not so much in the U.S. You might, however, score some bargains on overstocked candy eggs and Easter bunnies today.

As for me, I’ve been thinking today and recently about the idea of resurrection — not only of the resurrection of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament gospels, but of the resurrection of writings. My own.

Continue reading “Easter Monday, resurrected writings”