The featured image and the following poem are part of a larger collection (titled "Transit") which was the result of a collaboration with photographer Tom Darin Liskey in the spring of 2020. It was an honor to work with Tom, whose photography I have admired for many years. We are currently preparing this collection for …
An Album Worthy of Five Stars
A review by Kevin Belmonte Ravenna - the latest collaboration between Jeff Johnson and Phil Keaggy - is an album that bestows the finest of gifts: a rare and kindred artistry. Visually and sonically, the album is a fully-realized vision and song-cycle. And it begins with the album’s packaging: a stunning presentation of painted images that …
Essential Work
Sitting on the back porch of 2020, watching for the sun to rise on the next year, I am grateful for our common task that binds us - this essential work of loving in the time we have to love. Let's get busy with that, shall we? And in the meantime, I share some excerpts …
Ten Random Observations at a Time of Social Distancing
This strange season has not been conducive to writing for me, although I can’t say I haven’t had the time. It just seems my mind only has the capacity to capture random observations and store them away for some unforeseen future use. As that future use may never be revealed, I share a few of …
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Fireflies
In the meadow where summer stars fall, then wink – and closer still – wink ***** Photo by toan phan on Unsplash
In My Time
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien – The Fellowship of The Ring Inevitable …
Before and After (a poem)
Before and after There’s this thing going around about how we should not want to go back to “normal” because what came before should be – upon reflection – forsaken. I don’t know what your normal looked like before, but as for me, I can’t wait to have an unplanned conversation with a colleague by …
Confessions of a Failed Poet
Seeing as how I just received notice that my chapbook did not make the cut in a competition I had entered a few months back, it's as good a time as any to confess my poetic failures. But in reflection, every day is a good day to be honest about the real. There's no shame …
In Transit: VII (A Collaboration)
The selection below ends our series showcasing a collaboration of photography and poetry. Thank you, Tom Darin Liskey, for offering up your stunning images for reflection. Have a blessed Easter, my friends. He is risen. He is risen indeed. The Cross What is there to say about a cross with bling? In your face, judgment. …
In Transit: Part VI (A Collaboration)
We continue on this Maundy Thursday with our collaboration between Tom Darin Liskey's photography and my words. Maundy (or Holy) Thursday is the day Christians around the world commemorate Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples and the washing of their feet. On this occasion, Jesus commanded his disciples to "Love one another as I have …