Monthly Archives: August 2019

August 30 – “there is Good News” Mark 1:15

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

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August 28 – A falcon soaring and a treasure in a field

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

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August 26 – a second post, this time from one of our students, Vania Noguez

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

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August 26 – Jamaal May “There are birds here”

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

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August 23 — sending your daughter off into the world – Richard Wilbur “The Writer”

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

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August 21 — the 400th anniversary (+ 1 day) of “The American Heartbreak”

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

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August 16 – Maria Ibarra Frayre – “what it means to be Catholic when you’re a young, liberal, feminist . . . “

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

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August 14 — “Rutabaga” — a peasant guest at any meal”

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

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August 12 – U.S Poet Laureate – “Which Joy Harjo poem”?

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

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August 9 – First full work week, academic year, 2019

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

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