Author Archives: Jeff

The Hard Work – Anxiety

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Jeff

Teachings are helpful, but often times I need a concrete example. The poem “Beg for Love” by Abu-Said Abil-Kheir is a teaching. The accompanying concrete example, along with the artwork, reminds me how to put the teaching to work.

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Misheard and Misread

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Jeff

Mishearing as a creative act lays out the case for misinterpretations of other people’s words/lyrics/statements as potential sparks for new creative works. I’ve several poems in progress like that: I knew my wife said, “You can’t lead where you haven’t … Continue reading →

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Reading Poetry

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Jeff

I go to a fair number of poetry readings by visiting poets, Open Mics, and poetry festivals (AIPF, Waco WordFest, Georgetown Poetry). Austin gets a modest number of famous poets reading (e.g., Naomi Shihab Nye several times this year). Most … Continue reading →

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Mid-Course Corrections

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Jeff

Out beyond ideas of right and wrong there is a field. I’ll meet you there. – Rumi There are several models of spiritual/social/emotional development, e.g Fowler’s Stage of Faith, Ken Wilbur’s Integral Psychology, and Deepak Chopra’s How to Know God. … Continue reading →

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Going to Work

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Jeff

This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. … Continue reading →

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Community vs. Clubhouse

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Jeff

José Luis Vilson writes a blog on education, specifically middle school math education. He emphasizes how much of education is supporting past and present injustice. A recent post, Where We Belong, captures a key aspect of current society and education … Continue reading →

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Policing by Consent

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Jeff

Most police departments in the United Kingdom use the 9 Principles of Policing (authorship attributed to Robert Peel without evidence). It is about policing by consent. In the United States, many police departments have been moving towards the military model … Continue reading →

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Decency in Politics

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Jeff

I read David Brooks’ column in the New York Times because he brings a new slant to the conversation. I know almost nothing about Marianne Williamson, a Democratic candidate for President. She is not one of the front runners. Just … Continue reading →

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Poetry and Politics

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Jeff

Poetry has always had a connection to politics. Much of the Hebrew prophets are recorded in poetry. In an interview with poet Michael Astrue, politically conservative, who goes by the pen name “A.M. Juster” he cites “For the Student Strikers” … Continue reading →

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My Daily Cup of Coffee

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Jeff

It’s not just my daily cup of coffee. In the early days of chemo, I promised my wife I would tell her that I loved her, she was beautiful, that I’d make her coffee, and be silly everyday. The first … Continue reading →

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