First Publication Anniversary of Prayer Gardening!

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since Constance Brewer and I celebrated the publication of our co-authored poetry collection, Prayer Gardening (Kelsay Books, 2023). In honor of the anniversary, here is a seasonal poem of mine from the book:

Night Poem #1

A shooting star arced across the eastern sky, 
broke into bits beyond our neighbor’s trees. 
The dog took no notice, wondered
why I went back toward the street
when she had no more poop to give. 
I tugged her leash, insisted
on looking up to witness
meteoric flash-flash-flare-out.
I wanted more, but the only other movement 
was our neighbor jogging in the dark.

I thought of you then,
your plane over the Atlantic Ocean.
You would touch down in Europe while I slept. 
I wasn’t sad you headed to Italy without me.
I was sad I was home without you,
half of our bed cool to the touch.

Travel doesn’t compel me like it once did. 
Contentedness makes it easy
to send roots deeper and deeper.

Tonight fall crickets sing the same notes 
over and over without tiring.
The dog nestles beside me, turns and turns 
until her bed is ready, plops
into a semi-circle, her breath soft, 
her trust in me complete
as I turn off the light.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, you can find one HERE. As the weather cools around the country, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a poem or two.