Monthly Archives: August 2019

Friday,  August 30  “being surprised” When I pray from Mark or Matthew or Luke (i.e., the three “synoptic gospels”),  it helps me to treat the evangelist like a poet, to allow the surprise buried in the text to stop me … Continue reading →

Monday, August 28   –  Gerry Stockhausen’s birthday week — in memory People tell stories about what they see, and hear, and touch, and other people listen.   This ancient rhythm weaves humans together over centuries.   Telling and listening … Continue reading →

Two days ago, one of our students email me the following post.  It is so compelling that we’ve decided to post a second post on the same day.  She says it’s not a poem, but it is deeply powerful and … Continue reading →

Monday, August 26, 2019 “I am impressed by the level of commitment to the mission and to the city of Detroit that exists at the University.”  (Dr. Punsalan-Manlimos) Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos and her family met and mingled with c. 125 women, men … Continue reading →

Friday, August 23, 2019 “Young as she is, the stuff Of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy: I wish her a lucky passage.” Students moved into our residence halls these past several days.  Moms and … Continue reading →

Wednesday,  August 21 “Four hundred years is a mighty long time.  Courage.” Several days ago, my colleague and friend in the Detroit Mercy History Department suggested that The Work Day/Hard Time Poetry List give its attention to a vicious and … Continue reading →

Friday,  August 6, 2019 Maria emailed this poem to the Poetry List in August 2018;   I emailed back: this is a very strong poem;  I would be willing to publish it as “anonymous.”   Maria wrote me back;   … Continue reading →

Wednesday, August 14, 2019  — “Through you we eat sunlight” I had another poem queued up for today, but Laura Grace Weldon’s hymn to a Rutabaga took my imagination by storm.  No . . . perhaps not a storm, perhaps … Continue reading →

Monday August 12 – “which Joy Harjo poem”? There are so many possible answers to this question.   Our campus is not yet used to all the rhythms of a fresh work year; we are still a little rusty about that … Continue reading →

Friday, August 9, 2019 This Friday recalls Friday May 31 – when the Poetry List went on summer break.   Together with last Monday’s Mary Oliver voice, Thomas Merton opens week one with the same words with which he concluded … Continue reading →