stranded in new york, i thank God – a first draft by annelies zijderveld for the thunderheads rumbling into position like burly warriors their spears bolting from fists like brilliant cracks of light for the sparrow marooned on the slender branch of a ficus furtively glancing down as we all are held from the elements… Continue reading Stranded in New York, I thank God- a poem by annelies zijderveld
Category: Poetry
Jumping back into the fray
If you find me slow to respond over the next oh six months, I have posted exhibit A below as evidence for my whereabouts. One book is still missing from the flock and while in New York I will attempt to hunt down Yona Wallach’s shepherd press contribution. This semester finds me exploring poetry: of… Continue reading Jumping back into the fray
On mystery and writing
My mentor made a comment to me over lunch during the residency, nicely sandwiched in between bites of strawberries doused by whipping cream. She has this way about her that penetrates and asks the questions around which others might lollygag. But not her. Its importance is not attached to being said between bites. I sat… Continue reading On mystery and writing
Lessons from an Unlikely Teacher
Driving to work every morning, I tune in to NPR. In the past, I would listen to the stupid antics of local deejays to try to rouse myself from the half-conscious state of my non-morning person. NPR keeps me looped in to what’s going on in the world and the news early in the day.… Continue reading Lessons from an Unlikely Teacher
extinguishing the ring of fire- a poem by annelies zijderveld
extinguishing the ring of fire – a first draft by annelies zijderveld the evening sky glowers, seeing your shivering hand gripping mine. it covers us, blanket of fleece flocking down above, you in your white sheets, white bed, silver clasps your night- time story, nightmare turned real. white walls thin as paper, rowdy voices fighting… Continue reading extinguishing the ring of fire- a poem by annelies zijderveld
One last thing before bed
So, I’ve mentioned that the residency (poetry camp) was overall surreal for me in a previous post, which truth be told had some to do with not getting out as much at night and squelching my not-so secret extrovert. What the squelching did then, though has carried over to today and yesterday and probably tomorrow.… Continue reading One last thing before bed
NYC: Transitioning
We left school, lovingly dubbed “poetry camp” yesterday afternoon. This residency had very curious undertones to it, which I think a few of us attributed to the full moon. Poets are an interesting bunch of people. One evening, as we danced in the school pub, I grinned, considering that at any given moment, one of… Continue reading NYC: Transitioning
En route to somewhere
THURSDAY The roommates celebrated our last official night together over homemade sticky toffee pudding in our house. Congregating around the table brought overt reminders that three of us were en route for the summer, one for longer than that. But all of us amid packing and organizing thoughts found time for the gooey warm toffee-soaked… Continue reading En route to somewhere
Soon and very
As a child, the night before the first day of school always found me lying in bed, eyes wide open. I would envision meeting new people in my classes, bending the spine on a fresh notebook, opening the box of sharp chalky colored pencils. In those days of uniforms and far too early wake up… Continue reading Soon and very
Some thoughts on living
Today my doppelganger became a wife. Back during school days in Mill Valley, Loren and I used to confuse people unwittingly. From far off they would see me and yell, “Loren!” We even started at the same time working at my current company and my boss would accidentally sometimes call her by my name and… Continue reading Some thoughts on living
deceived – poem by annelies zijderveld
deceived – a first draft by annelies zijderveld there are words to describe this but they elude me, you bequeathed to me these moments of dull self-derision i am hollowed out by your paring knife cutting away at all those soft fleshy parts leaving this void that echoes into the deeps, a stone skipping across… Continue reading deceived – poem by annelies zijderveld
A prophetic voice on Memorial Day
I was walking back to my car with Sharona to fetch my hoodie since the sunshine finally was obscured by the clouds and forthcoming wind. Elijah waved from across the street as he opened his trunk, grabbing a blanket. I mentioned how today I tackled this paper on form poetry that beat me down. Attempting… Continue reading A prophetic voice on Memorial Day