(listening to an international)

listening to an international

kanun soloist's album en route to a local

jazz ensemble's concert

Twenty Years of Line Upon Line

Today, I celebrate 20 years of this, my very first poetry blog, where I've posted free verse poems, haiku, and poetry event announcements for two decades!  Twenty years later, I'm still writing, publishing and performing.  Here's to the next 20 years!

(I'm listening to)

I'm listening to

a harpist's album on my

way to a ska show.

(The neighboring frogs,)

The neighboring frogs,

blackbirds and roosters competing

for loudest tone.

Thank You!

By all accounts, this year's Holland Pride Festival was a success!  I loved being surrounded by queer joy and community kindness.  Thanks to Annette, Jenna, John, Mads, Matt, Michelle, Natalia, Reka, Sheryl, Sophie, Tobi, and Vicki for their support!  And a very special thank you to Katherine for her amazing love and support!

Presenting Poetry at Pride

I am pleased to announce that I will be performing at this year's Holland Pride Festival!  I will be presenting my original free verse poetry on the main stage from 2:20 to 2:30 p.m.

 

Holland Pride Festival

Saturday, June 27, from 1 to 6 p.m. 

* Amy performs from 2:20 to 2:30 *

Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Dr., Holland, MI  49423

 

I would love to see your smiling face and feel your support there.  Join us! 

Like Helicopter Wings Ready to Soar

I lived for many years

with my proverbial hands

at my sides --

prim and proper,

contained and acceptable,

limited and stifled. 

 

Now I raise my arms

parallel with the horizon --

like helicopter wings ready to soar --

no longer contained

to someone else's

idea of who I should be

or what is acceptable,

expressing my full self,

embodying

strength and

compassion and 

justice and 

peace and

kindness and 

confidence and 

PRIDE. 

 

Now I am at home

in my body -- just like

I used to be as a 

small, queer kid

in the middle of nowhere Indiana

before the world got its claws

on me.

(summertime snow)

summertime snow
cottonwood seeds
float, flit and blow

Apparently, Americans Like Their Men to Look Like Grown Adults and Their Women to Look Like Teenage Girls

Why is it that,

when a male is young and thin,

in hindsight, we say, "Ha!  Ha!  He looked like a kid!" --

while, at present,

after years of filling out,

he "finally looks like a man,"

while, at the same time,

when a female is young and thin,

in hindsight, we say, "She looked fantastic!" --

while, at present,

after years of filling out,

she "has really let herself go"?