I am currently staying in Bali, more precisely in Sanur. Sanur is quite tranquil and serene, representing older, more traditional culture. The pace of life in this area is certainly less hectic than other parts of this incredible island. I have visited Bali many times and have stayed in various locations across those visits. The people and the place continue to provide much inspiration for writing.  I have been trying to capture a spirit of place while in Sanur. I found myself writing a series of tankas. I'm not sure why I chose the tanka form, but I am pleased with what I have been able to capture. I so enjoy surrendering my writing thoughts to my immediate surrounds. Poetry of place is such a pleasurable indulgence. Hope you enjoy my gatherings... Sanur Tankas Reef & Sea Reef resists the sea Becalming the shorebound waves Ocean's roar muffled Transformed to a constant hum Heard at  water's edge. Swallow Flight Above my beach lounge Swallows flit erratically Tiny fe...

This  week I am posting from Sanur in Bali about a Czech Poet. I recently discovered the Czech poet, Miroslav Holub (1923-1998). Holub was poet and an immunologist. His poetic work was heavily influenced by his experiences as an Immunologist, writing many poems using his scientific knowledge to create poetic effect.  Holub prioritized his profession as a scientist over his writing. His poetry was predominantly unrhymed, making translation easier and more accurate. Renowned Irish poet,  Seamus Heaney described Holub’s writing as 'A laying bare of things, not so much the skull beneath the skin, more the brain beneath the skull; the shape of relationships, politics, history; the rhythms of affections and disaffection; the ebb and flow of faith, hope, violence, art.' In 1988 English poet  and writer, Ted Hughes referred to Holub as, 'One of the half dozen most important poets writing anywhere.'  High praise indeed... Here for your reading pleasure is one of Miroslav...

 Last week I shared a rather lengthy Rant poem. This week I am journeying to the opposite end of the poetry terrain and presenting some much shorter poems. Variety is good for us... During my school days I loved athletics. I built a reputation as a sprinter. I could run run quickly over short distances, but longer forms of running such as cross country were very much a personal challenge. Maybe that's why I enjoy short poems so much... When we write short poems they require a certain sharp focus. The writer has less time and words in which to deliver the desired outcome. The aim is to be pithy and engaging within a few lines and leave the reader both satisifed and surprised.  So here are few examples of recent short form poems I have lifted from my notebooks and polished for readers to consider.  They quite unashamedly lean on wordplay and deal with totally unrleated subjects and have arisen arose organically in recent times.  They currently sit in my poetry vault aw...