Poems and Other Pieces features various poems, essays, articles, songs or sermons that either I have written or someone I admire has written. In either case, all of these have helped shape my attitude toward God, his presence in my life, his activity in the world, and the overall craft of writing. Here I feature a short piece (Worthy of Healing) that challenges the insufficiency of retaliation as a source of comfort when unjustly treated. Below that, I feature a short video interview that engages the craft of writing and being present in front of people on a stage. I hope you enjoy.
Under A Supermoon by Arthur Sze, 2025
Gazing at a supermoon when a portion of Earth’s shadow slides across the lunar surface,
I have no desire to twirl in space on an oxygenating cord; I have no desire to plunge
to the bottom of the Mariana Trench and observe snailfish. On the highway, someone
is driving to lab, to pueblo, to abandoned uranium mine and is always driving farther,
driving faster. I slow it down and rejoice in minutiae: a gold flare in cottonwood leaves,
the smell of split piñon and juniper in a garage, and recall Blake’s
if the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise. I don’t know that I am any wiser,
but I have persevered; as I gaze at the darkening craters and smell apples on branches
and on grass, I catch how this life has exploding, exploded, and birthing stars inside it.
More from Arthur at poetryfoundation.org/ | My own work is included in Poems. The work of other writers I admire is included in Other Pieces. Some ways to connect with me are included in About Me.
Jerry Seinfeld interview w/ Graham Bensinger, August 2024
Below is a 5min interview with Jerry Seinfeld. Whether or not you’re a fan of Seinfeld, what he has to say about stage presence, humor, fear, writing, preparing, and not giving up is (for me, at least) both fascinating and reminding. Enjoy.
“It’s not the easiest thing to try and put a smile on a face. But it’s always worth it.”
Poems and Other Pieces 
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