Category Archives: The Sonnets

Sonnet 1

… I started to write sonnets in April of 2003. That March, George Bush with the approval of Congress and a whole lot of American people invaded Iraq. I was very opposed to this at the time and still am. … Continue reading →

Yangtze Sonnet: 135

26 Apr ’11

… I took a trip through the Three Gorges in August of 2006 after teaching classes at the University of Wuhan for the month of July. I went with some of my teacher colleagues. Here is the first sonnet on … Continue reading →

Sonnets 1 – 30

9 Mar ’11

… 1 Looking at the springs, sitting in the sun something at my nape begins to tickle like the wind’s moving a hair there, fickle on my bare neck between the scalp and trunk. I’m reading the poet Bill Kushner—Ah! … Continue reading →

Sonnet 84

16 Jan ’11

… 84 My only brother with his bulldozer pushed the brush away from the day lilies uprooting thorns and sumac completely around the bed revealing for Mother those common flowers in all their glory. Now if only she’ll come to … Continue reading →

143

22 Oct ’10

… Goldfinch balanced on the sunflower’s head Flies off swaying the plant just like the wind. The sun comes up the trees and lies down in The field where a red hawk begins to spread Its great slow wings breaking … Continue reading →

106

5 Oct ’10

… Today I picked Uncle Al’s tomatoes for the last time. Many were over ripe rotten, had cracked or fallen. I was tired but constant and making an effort to exercise, bent holding my abdomen in reaching into the vines … Continue reading →

104

3 Oct ’10

… Swallows gather on the electric wire One after the other in a row. I Approach as some fly up and swarm the sky Hundreds of them sweeping out. I’m inspired Watching them burst and swoop and blend and flow … Continue reading →

35

2 Oct ’10

… A little spider on the written page Looks up at me. I do not bother her Nor does she me where I have come to lay Myself down in the grass like a brother Queen Anne’s Lace crowning our … Continue reading →

105

1 Oct ’10

… I let down the umbrella on the dock Enclosing the wasps inside who’ve summered Up in the ribs. I had to do it. Not Only is it sunset but September The summer is almost over and I Must go … Continue reading →

181

12 Sep ’10

… As the Labradors black as night splash in The morning light and swim in the current Up to their necks going for the mallards That fly away before they get to them It is about to rain and a … Continue reading →

134

31 Jul ’10

… “Today and tomorrow is all we have. Yesterday, no matter what some will say is gone,” I write, but as soon as I do the wall I’m leaning on says, “I will still be here when you’ve gone. Yesterdays … Continue reading →

123

25 Jul ’10

It is so hot before you run you sweat. Fanning himself a man and his wife walk Holding hands. He sings and she doesn’t with Just as much force. It’s dawn. The lighter it Gets the more the runners … Continue reading →