“Favorite and influential poets in my mind” is to be the subject of the next few blogs I post, and who can I cite as my very favorite poet? Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. If I were to phrase my memories in the language of some of my (former) students, it would be that I grew up a bit of a “dork.” Perhaps I misuse the word, but I certainly didn’t fit into the category of popular. The word that now…..

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Well, joining the blogosphere propels me into a new experience that I hope to share with you. Sometimes people ask, “Where does a poem come from?” For me, it frequently seems to come full blown, needing only shape and words, but with the theme whole and entire. At other times it is a decision that I wish to write on a particular topic, usually inspired by an event either personal or “borrowed.” It may be the experience of a friend,…..

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