Jigsaw – NPWM – April 16

Posted on April 17, 2016April 17, 2016 by Laurel Archer

A little late, but only because yesterday was about putting the jigsaw together — this is an action poem, not just reflective wish-wash in a contemplative bath… Jigsaw From the outer edge,... Read More

Ode to the Dandelion – NPWM – April 5

Posted on April 5, 2016April 6, 2016 by Laurel Archer

I’m not much of a gardener — I’ve tried to catch the bug but I’m afraid despite my love of nature, gardening feels, like doing laundry, a never ending task.  Dandelions, which... Read More

Look at the Birds

Posted on February 26, 2016February 26, 2016 by Laurel Archer

What are you doing for Lent this year?  Fasting from something? Attending to something?  I’ve journeyed through Lent in different ways: some have been challenging, some have been enlivening, s... Read More

A Boy Standing

Posted on January 31, 2016February 1, 2016 by Laurel Archer

I was thinking about swans at first, but my thoughts wandered around until I came upon a memory of my brother.  I’m intrigued how some memories remain so clear you can walk through them as an o... Read More

Six Amens for the Sestina

Posted on April 26, 2015April 28, 2015 by Laurel Archer

Amen and Amen and Amen… A triolet completes the Sestina like an Amen completes a prayer.  This is doubly appropriate since our particular Lenten Sestina writing project was written as a prayer.... Read More

Sestina Settings

Posted on March 29, 2015March 29, 2015 by Laurel Archer

Read it back to me It’s a common practice to go back and reread what you’ve written.  It helps the writer to see whether the piece is hanging together and whether it flows.  For me readi... Read More

Starfish

Posted on January 3, 2014January 6, 2014 by Laurel Archer

Starfish Spineless sea yogis, all arms and arms, wedged into impossible spaces. Barnacled outcroppings prop a supple pose, like a shadow, cast by a heavenly cousin – held by hope in the turning of t... Read More

Do I rise?

Posted on January 2, 2014January 5, 2014 by Laurel Archer

Do I rise? Can you see the desire in the snow as it meets creation – even as creation sleeps in the dark? As it falls the flakes are held, slowed in the embrace of streetlight before resting on the ... Read More