tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191556122024-03-15T20:10:58.508-05:00Arem Arvinson LogOccasional Glimpses Into the Voyage
From the Helmsman, Ralph MurreRalph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.comBlogger605125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-77434642919988177792015-07-18T12:14:00.000-05:002015-07-18T13:56:40.691-05:00Of Poetics, Polemics, and Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORr8vOLAr9o/VaqHkd-bwmI/AAAAAAAAB6w/TA6KJ2NATag/s1600/pablo%252C%2Bpossibly%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORr8vOLAr9o/VaqHkd-bwmI/AAAAAAAAB6w/TA6KJ2NATag/s400/pablo%252C%2Bpossibly%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the last post on this site, I put up a clearly
political poem, “Endorsement”, and stated in emails to some of my
correspondents that I had done so in a “<i>What Would Neruda Do</i>”? moment.
I did not mean to imply that my work was the equal of Neruda's, nor even
to suggest that this poem was meant to emulate any of his -- I simply wished to
remind readers and other writers that he was not afraid to take a political
stand and to let his poetry reflect that position. Too often, I fear, we are using our pens
"just for pretty", as the old <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place>
boatbuilders said of adornments to their craft. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">No one responding to my emails took an opposing
political view to mine, and many thought the poem a pretty good one. From the standpoint of one judging purely on
the merits of its poetics, it may not be.
A few didn’t care for it’s lack of metaphor and other good and wonderful
devices which made Neruda’s work stand out during his time and ours. Perhaps we mortals should be more careful in
invoking the name of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Pablo</st1:place></st1:city>. But as a bit of possibly memorable political
communication aimed at 21st century Americans, I think my piece may still have
some merit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I did get a few comments, though, suggesting that
as poets we are only able to “preach to the choir”, so it may be pointless for
us to even delve into the political and, worse, when we do, we too often engage
in mere rants and screeds. Of course,
there’s truth in that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> But.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If we, having developed our craft to whatever
little level decide not to speak to whatever little audience about injustice as
we see it, then I believe we are complicit in that injustice. Yes, we must say our poems in the very best
way we can, but we must say them. And
they must, occasionally, actually be about something that matters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ~ RM <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-89752101330575413782015-07-11T10:16:00.000-05:002015-07-11T10:16:03.478-05:00Against the Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItvEsxHYoCY/VaEwEE_LoxI/AAAAAAAAB6c/8h0k2b0vTL8/s1600/Bernie%2BSanders%2B-%2Bralph%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItvEsxHYoCY/VaEwEE_LoxI/AAAAAAAAB6c/8h0k2b0vTL8/s400/Bernie%2BSanders%2B-%2Bralph%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Endorsement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">However fine are their qualities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and however fine ours may be,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">if we empower as leaders<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">those bought and sold,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">we, too, are bought and told<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that this is the golden-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">hued freedom we dumb<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">bastards fought for<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and all the bleeding was for naught<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and the dying fools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We are buying that it’s cool<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to sell the nation to the
corporation,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">build more jails, close more schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We can all just stay tuned<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to the one station that broadcasts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the coronation, see the placement,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">on that paid-for head,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of our crown of jewels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ <i>Ralph
Murre<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-47727500948097475422015-06-04T11:35:00.001-05:002015-06-04T11:59:12.562-05:00Chicken Shack, or The Coop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OPH4anZ-IAM/VXBxSbGVwEI/AAAAAAAAB5w/IIQRIyP1OmY/s1600/Murre%2B-%2BCoop%2BBookmark%2Bside%2Ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OPH4anZ-IAM/VXBxSbGVwEI/AAAAAAAAB5w/IIQRIyP1OmY/s400/Murre%2B-%2BCoop%2BBookmark%2Bside%2Ba.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">bookmark: murre, from basho's road</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--H4-NRdrORk/VXBxv2-2f8I/AAAAAAAAB54/b8QWKtdkiG0/s1600/Murre%2B-%2BCoop%2BBookmark%2Bside%2B%2Bb%2B%2528B%2526W%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--H4-NRdrORk/VXBxv2-2f8I/AAAAAAAAB54/b8QWKtdkiG0/s400/Murre%2B-%2BCoop%2BBookmark%2Bside%2B%2Bb%2B%2528B%2526W%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk3HfHcLiqI/VXBypeDxJrI/AAAAAAAAB6I/Gy99jinX7nU/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk3HfHcLiqI/VXBypeDxJrI/AAAAAAAAB6I/Gy99jinX7nU/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: sharon auberle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Some of you will remember Norbert Blei. My friend, my mentor, my publisher. One of the people most influential in my writing life. Wrote a bunch of books, published a lot of other people's books, stayed in touch with the wide world of literature and <i>literati</i>,and raised as much hell as he could to save the environment and a disappearing way of life; all from a not-too-reconstructed chicken coop in the Wisconsin woods.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Since Norb's death, his property has been sold, but thanks to his children, The Coop has been donated to <i>Write On! Door County</i>, and relocated to those grounds where it will serve as sanctuary and inspiration to other writers, young and old.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>I attended a fine dedication ceremony last Saturday along with about 150 other folks, many of whom paid tribute with their words, their art, their music, and at least one original dance, choreographed just for the day. Here's the poem I wrote for the occasion:</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Cock
o’ the Coop<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(On
the studio of Norbert Blei)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Beyond <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Ellison</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>, in may-apple May<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and blue-sky July gone by,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">or in the gray of dim
December, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">south windows searching
for sun,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">there would have been
Leghorns<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I suppose, utilitarian,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">clucking and cackling <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in this chicken house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Good layers, Leghorns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Might have been White
Rocks and Barred Rocks,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">brooding. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rhode
Island</st1:place></st1:state> Reds.
Perhaps even<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sunday-dinner <st1:city w:st="on">Wyandotte</st1:city>, Orpington, or <st1:place w:st="on">Jersey</st1:place>
Giant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For certain --<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">one Bantam rooster, crowing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">doing his damnedest<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to wake the neighbors<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">~
Ralph Murre</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-41594711004955816182015-04-22T15:16:00.001-05:002015-04-22T15:16:54.969-05:00Observations on Earth Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FmQyMGCGTM/VTf8_QYDLxI/AAAAAAAAB5U/pW50isxxgUY/s1600/Starlings%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FmQyMGCGTM/VTf8_QYDLxI/AAAAAAAAB5U/pW50isxxgUY/s1600/Starlings%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">Starlings in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The watchman stood alone on his blue hill<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and watched, then, as he does now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Saw them coming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A few Vikings, some kook in a coracle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He saw three ships come sailing in<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They traded trinkets for coconuts and corn,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">traded pox for potatoes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A syphilitic wife will change your life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The sun rises and the sun sets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Their God was nailed to a tree<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where they could keep an eye on him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They brought original sin, brought a savior<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and took silver, brought guns and took gold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brought alcohol, took tobacco. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They brought ponies and plunder,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">were crazy for beaver<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and a quick way to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In time, they brought steel and steam.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A steel knife will change your life, too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The sun rises and the sun sets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They brought bulldozers and drag-line buckets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tore the Earth. Tore the Good Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Put it on Mr. Peabody’s coal train.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brought languages,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">took languages away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brought starlings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brought Studebakers and Scotch Tape.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Duct tape and red tape.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They brought refrigerator magnets,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">scotch and soda, the cotton gin, wrinkle –<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">free polyester. Bourbon and Bud Lite and<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a bomb that bloomed in
the desert.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They taught children to hide under desks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Atomic strife will change your life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The sun rises and sets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Edsels come and Edsels go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The watchman stands alone on his blue hill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Do not be hopeful,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">he calls out at last,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but do not be without hope.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They brought Schubert.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-36625749714544826242015-04-22T08:41:00.001-05:002015-04-22T15:21:46.600-05:00Little Eagle's RE / VERSE: Fare thee well, Ellen Kort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzFxIj4hne8/VTeoMxP2_MI/AAAAAAAAB5E/y3UNFfMnNRs/s1600/ellenkort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzFxIj4hne8/VTeoMxP2_MI/AAAAAAAAB5E/y3UNFfMnNRs/s1600/ellenkort.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photosource unknown</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please find a few words about the passing of our friend at:</span><br />
<a href="http://littleeaglereverse.blogspot.com/2015/04/fare-thee-well-ellen-kort.html?spref=bl">Little Eagle's RE / VERSE: Fare thee well, Ellen Kort</a>:Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-65914349380698142802015-03-25T09:36:00.000-05:002015-03-25T14:15:52.871-05:00A Funny Thing . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFsr_4iQMI8/VRMIhyPKe-I/AAAAAAAAB4w/Rfv3X3WzYPw/s1600/The%2BPoet%2Bin%2BJanuary%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFsr_4iQMI8/VRMIhyPKe-I/AAAAAAAAB4w/Rfv3X3WzYPw/s1600/The%2BPoet%2Bin%2BJanuary%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>A funny thing happened on the way to the podium. As the result of a process totally mysterious to me, I have been named poet laureate of Door County, Wisconsin. While I was sure that this was some gross miscalculation or simply a hoax, apparently the county board didn't get the joke, and I was installed yesterday at the board meeting. Another funny thing: Flu. I haven't been sick for years, but the night before my big moment, I was struck, hard, by some nastiness. I could not attend. Luckily for me, the out-going and outgoing laureate, Estella Lauter, said a few very kind words on my behalf and read the poem I had written for the occasion, an imperative piece which is as much a note to myself as to the assembled board.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>In awe of the three who have held this post before me; Frances May, Barbara Larsen, and Estella Lauter, I humbly submit:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">To the Duly Elected,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
newly elected, and those selected<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
serve many times before – <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
ask you to speak for the farmer as he tills,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
the builder as he builds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
for the bagger of groceries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
speak, please, for the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
loudly to save quiet places.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak,
too, for the ferryman,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
fisherman, the schools of fishes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Remember
the one who taught you to read.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Remember
the ones who wash dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Be
strong for the weak, the unhealthy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
up for those in need.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
up for the artist and the scene she paints.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak,
please, for the creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Be
wary of saints and the wealthy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
out against greed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
for the nurses and nursery-men.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Represent
those who scrub floors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Represent
those who pull weeds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speak
for the firefighter, the all-nighter cop,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">speak
for the crop in the field.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Listen
to the one who voted against you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Listen
to the wind in the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Listen
to your heart when it says to stand fast,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">listen
close when it tells you to yield.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<br /></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-24331785115966568852015-01-13T17:05:00.000-06:002015-01-20T17:08:53.837-06:00Je suis, aussi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfZ1JhooJrM/VLWiQd_mLUI/AAAAAAAAB3k/jpANKY-7LSA/s1600/plume%2Bpour%2Bcharlie%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfZ1JhooJrM/VLWiQd_mLUI/AAAAAAAAB3k/jpANKY-7LSA/s1600/plume%2Bpour%2Bcharlie%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>je suis ecrivain</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>je suis iconoclaste</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>je suis artiste</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>je suis chaque homme</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>je suis, aussi, charlie</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>~ ralph murre</i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-50326071745208627842015-01-01T16:56:00.000-06:002015-01-01T22:41:19.240-06:00(Slow) Running Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwt148L87KU/VKXIzhtAQ2I/AAAAAAAAB3U/81J7oC3i86A/s1600/Dark%2BDecember%2B019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwt148L87KU/VKXIzhtAQ2I/AAAAAAAAB3U/81J7oC3i86A/s1600/Dark%2BDecember%2B019.jpg" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How slowly the writing comes these days, as evidenced by the fact that I haven't posted to this site since May. Have barely written anything else for anywhere else. Forgive me re-running this 10-year old piece, still possibly appropriate for the day:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">Running Things<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another
year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another
chance to get it right<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To
do the things I shoulda done<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tear
down that fence I built<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Quit
the party<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let
running things run<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another
wave rolls up the beach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tumbles
stones<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Polishes
what survives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Shorebirds
– hungry – rush<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Consume
the dazzled on the sands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">End
the safe, crustacean lives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another
day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another
chance to see the light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To
see the clouded, rising sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Copper
flame in pewter bowl<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Embrace
the certain, coming toll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Or
be a running thing, and run<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On a brighter note, and concerning two friends for whom the writing seems to be coming along very nicely, I want to refer you to two new blogs that brighten my days considerably. The first, a self-titled site by Mary Wehner, can be found at <a href="http://marywehner.blogspot.com/">http://marywehner.blogspot.com</a> and the second, called <i>The Poet At Large</i>, is by Al DeGenova, and is at <a href="http://albertdegenova.blogspot.com/">http://albertdegenova.blogspot.com</a>. Beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Both sites are new enough that you can easily read them from their beginnings, an exercise quite definitely worth your while. Links to both will remain in my right-hand column under "Good Places".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy New Year to all. <i> ~ RM </i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-65366485799831355302014-05-05T13:02:00.000-05:002014-05-06T07:51:41.106-05:00the poet, at seventy, observes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfCZ3MMHuUo/U2fOcpxANdI/AAAAAAAAB2c/L4lVvidXne8/s1600/and+the+aged+-+murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfCZ3MMHuUo/U2fOcpxANdI/AAAAAAAAB2c/L4lVvidXne8/s1600/and+the+aged+-+murre.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">and the aged<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> discuss at length<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> their aging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> the raging pains<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and nagging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> the sagging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and the gravity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> their long-lost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">youth, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">naïveté</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> as though<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">there was forever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> to converse<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">they heed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> no call for terse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">nor feel a need<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> for brevity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">~
ralph murre</span></i></div>
</div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-68511584651772800892014-04-23T09:08:00.000-05:002014-04-23T13:40:27.121-05:00small talk<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1OyaexEso0/U1fINUkAzsI/AAAAAAAAB2E/WIv7T75r-Yg/s1600/small+talk+cover,+yes,+lower+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1OyaexEso0/U1fINUkAzsI/AAAAAAAAB2E/WIv7T75r-Yg/s1600/small+talk+cover,+yes,+lower+case.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Little Eagle Press<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ proudly
presents ~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cooper Black"; font-size: 20.0pt;">small talk<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A fine,
new book of the shorter poems of Bruce Dethlefsen, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">past Poet
Laureate of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:state></st1:place>. Here’s your chance to see what a terrific
writer can say in ten lines or less, and to see why Little Eagle, always very
selective, jumped at the chance to publish this jewel of a manuscript. There’s a lot of wry humor in these 92 pages,
as well as good doses of poignancy and pathos.
Add a liberal sprinkling of the drawings of Ralph Murre, and we feel you’ll
agree that this is a winning text.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a sample:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; font-size: 14.0pt;">1950<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">at
night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">my
mother bathed me in a white tub<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">scrubbed
me with white soap<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">rubbed
me in a white towel<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">hugged
and plugged me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">into
pajamas and the white sheets<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">an
act so kind <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">so
common<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">it
barely even happened<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fIOQaevG1k/U1fIhy-RcHI/AAAAAAAAB2M/lMh5SePdUbA/s1600/1950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fIOQaevG1k/U1fIhy-RcHI/AAAAAAAAB2M/lMh5SePdUbA/s1600/1950.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cooper Black"; font-size: 16.0pt;">small talk</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> can be ordered directly from the author<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bruce
Dethlefsen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">422 Lawrence Street</span></b></st1:address></st1:street><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Westfield</span></b></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">, <st1:state w:st="on">WI</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">53964</st1:postalcode></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">at $15.
per copy, plus $3. for shipping & handling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">( For
shipping fees on orders of multiple copies, please<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 27.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">email: <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/poetdethlefsen@gmail.com">poetdethlefsen@gmail.com</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 27.0pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-65026749346762598302014-04-17T20:38:00.000-05:002014-04-17T20:38:21.371-05:00all it has to be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TVQaDt2dto/U1CAf_aJZpI/AAAAAAAAB10/lG8JkKnjLK8/s1600/Mystic+River+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TVQaDt2dto/U1CAf_aJZpI/AAAAAAAAB10/lG8JkKnjLK8/s1600/Mystic+River+-+Murre.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">this river<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">is not long<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">nor swift<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">nor all that deep<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but it flows true<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from dream to dream<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and it’s all it has to be<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and it does all a river needs to do<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ <i>ralph
murre<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-20541746520719569342014-04-07T10:25:00.000-05:002014-04-07T10:25:50.734-05:00Gone Blind -- Arvinson Log post # 600<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JforWXKPNL8/U0LBDmvbWXI/AAAAAAAAB1k/EmBffnKecWM/s1600/Blind+Justice+Too+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JforWXKPNL8/U0LBDmvbWXI/AAAAAAAAB1k/EmBffnKecWM/s1600/Blind+Justice+Too+-+Murre.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gone Blind </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">(2014)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Justice! they cry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">What’s it mean? sez I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">ain’t it just another name for revenge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">She’s often portrayed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">as a blind chick with a sword<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">as untoward as blind rage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">or blind drunk on a binge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Oh, she looks good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">sittin’ here on this page<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">but she lights fires, you know<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and if we’re not burnt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">we’ll be singed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To invite her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">we’re gonna need courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">let us try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">one more time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Justice! they cry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Save me from it, sez I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">or I and my kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">will swing in the breeze<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and a lonely trumpet play<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and the harpies will<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">tug at our flesh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">‘til sometime late in the day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">if anyone knows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">that we aren’t on our knees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">begging the unknown in the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">begging, please<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let us try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">one more time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for courage, for courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let us try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">one more time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">For I and my kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">by choice have gone blind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and our names<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">are signed to the checks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and our names are in the fields<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">of oil and blood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and our spirits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">are dragged through the mud<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">as Old Glory waves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and we salute the ones<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">who send children<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We salute, and dig graves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for our children<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let us try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">one more time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Justice! they cry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">but does she ever forgive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And if it’s an eye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for an eye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">how will grandchildren live?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just look at her there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sweet Justice – how fair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">though she seems only to care<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for the sound of alarms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It takes courage, too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">to not take up arms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">it takes courage to say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let her go, now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">we’ll start new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">let us try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">one more time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-84646514123635110092014-03-21T08:18:00.001-05:002014-03-21T08:18:47.073-05:00at evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXeFuXL7dW0/Uyw62pTyb7I/AAAAAAAAB1U/IjxXinJoHls/s1600/New+Camera+Download+156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXeFuXL7dW0/Uyw62pTyb7I/AAAAAAAAB1U/IjxXinJoHls/s1600/New+Camera+Download+156.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 16.0pt;">western<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">could I be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">a sundown man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">enfold you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">unfold you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the colored rays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of our shining<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the western sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">at evening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">~ ralph murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-51626536754978151182014-03-02T10:04:00.000-06:002014-03-02T10:04:08.702-06:00as Mardi Gras approaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvLVJ_NQFpY/UxNT4FYeCVI/AAAAAAAAB1E/tjXzegifFdU/s1600/Nawlins+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvLVJ_NQFpY/UxNT4FYeCVI/AAAAAAAAB1E/tjXzegifFdU/s1600/Nawlins+-+Murre.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Delta Blues<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There,
on the edge of the shelf,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">in
the sad and beautiful frames of generations,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the
black and white portraits of us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the
sepia of our flesh,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the
glisten and the dance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There,
the mouth of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Old</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Man</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">speaks
to the sea of a continent stolen,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">but
<st1:placename w:st="on">Mother</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Ocean</st1:placetype>
says, “<st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
here for her children. Europa –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
here for her children. And <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>’s,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">she
says. There,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">where
those two meet day in and out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">night
after night, in throes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
love and fight and blows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
gods of wind, there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">in
a mixed-blood flood,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">she
takes away a few of those<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">she’s
brought on her broad back,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">but
carries them now in her womb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">from
that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Crescent</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> where the water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">rises
above the tombs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Shall
we gather . . .”, sings the old man,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“On
that beautiful shore . . .”, says the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 14.0pt;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-81333018330709832562014-01-22T22:39:00.000-06:002014-01-22T22:39:31.758-06:00The Grandfathers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohHpPJpKNGc/UuCXWmhx9ZI/AAAAAAAAB00/q28IeK5sigw/s1600/The+Poet+in+January.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohHpPJpKNGc/UuCXWmhx9ZI/AAAAAAAAB00/q28IeK5sigw/s1600/The+Poet+in+January.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>the grandfathers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>their hands flinty with work</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>reaching down to take mine</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>smell of oil and liniment and wool</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>smoke rising</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>snow falling</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>their heavy shovels</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and plaid coats</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>the names of old countries</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>~ Ralph Murre</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If that sounds like an old one to any of you, well, it is. Kinda. In the spirit of revise, revise, revise, I boiled a fair to middlin' nineteen lines down to nine, and I think I like it even better. If I keep going this way, someday, I'll say nothing at all, and that may be best. ~ RM</span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-14140237049106839772014-01-07T13:14:00.000-06:002014-01-07T13:29:20.021-06:00In That House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4P3dPWoyi5I/UsxRE_C4u2I/AAAAAAAAB0k/aGzlfDcGANs/s1600/Mimi+Very+Close+(Murre).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4P3dPWoyi5I/UsxRE_C4u2I/AAAAAAAAB0k/aGzlfDcGANs/s1600/Mimi+Very+Close+(Murre).jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">In That House<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">". . . any room was full <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of such choreography . . ."</span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Michael Ondaatje<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">each
of the chambers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
his heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">held
a dance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">his
inner ear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
symphony<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
optic nerve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">told
of roses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
rose windows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">remembering
that day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
that far away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
her eyes whispered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">maybe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
still<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">after<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
quick step<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
all these<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">yesterdays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
waltzing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
that fox<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">still
trotting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
way she does<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
that house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">full
of the choreography<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
whispered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">yes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-49870652191960524332013-12-25T14:04:00.000-06:002013-12-25T14:17:46.382-06:00Gratitude in Dark December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vdvLdRx8lY/Urs1GTXakpI/AAAAAAAAB0U/5aPVxY41u74/s1600/DSC_0766+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vdvLdRx8lY/Urs1GTXakpI/AAAAAAAAB0U/5aPVxY41u74/s400/DSC_0766+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's nothing more gratifying for a writer, I suppose, than to be read -- and to have a person or two in some way moved by the reading. A couple of years ago, I penned "In Dark December" which has been published here and there in print and on line, and which I've read at several events. Well -- people seem to like it and it's been spreading on the internet and by emails and now I get references to the piece from far and wide. Thanks to friend Kris Thacher for the above photo, showing the poem posted on the Poetry Pole on Candelaria Road in Albuquerque, New Mexico; a far piece from my digs in Northeast Wisconsin. Sometimes, I think, a piece of writing can be bigger than its author, and that's certainly how I feel about this poem. Grateful to have had my pen on paper -- my hook in the water -- when this one came swimming by. Grateful, too, for the friends, new and old, who have helped keep this alive. ~ <i>RM</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In Dark
December</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">by
Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Whatever
you believe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">whatever
you do not,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">there
are sacred rites<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">you
must perform<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">in
dark December.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Do
this for me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Pull
together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">the
kitchen table,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">the
folding table,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">and
that odd half-oval<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">usually
covered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">with
bills and broken pencils<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">and
red ink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Pull
together family and friends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">cool
cats and stray dogs alike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Turn
off everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">except
colored lights,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">the
roaster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">the
toaster, the stove.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Cook. Bake.
Eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Yes,
even the fruitcake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Eat,
crowded around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">those
assembled tables<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">with
mismatched chairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Reach
so far<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">in
your sharing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">that
you hold the sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">in
one hand,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">the
stars in the other,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">and
no one between is hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Now
walk together,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">talk
together,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">be
together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">on
these darkest nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Give
and forgive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Light
candles and ring bells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Sing
the old songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Tell
the old stories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">one
more time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">leaving
nothing out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">leaving
no one out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">in
the long night,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">leaving
nothing wrong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">that
you can make right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">~
first published in <i>Peninsula Pulse</i> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-5424206703287486732013-11-22T14:51:00.000-06:002013-11-22T14:51:09.035-06:00in the pond of plenty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ_yMPDvnv0/Uo_DFAO3jBI/AAAAAAAAB0E/6Mb0eNXPshM/s1600/Autumn+'13+quiet+as+koi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ_yMPDvnv0/Uo_DFAO3jBI/AAAAAAAAB0E/6Mb0eNXPshM/s640/Autumn+'13+quiet+as+koi.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-92113183982883730982013-11-09T12:56:00.000-06:002013-11-09T12:56:33.895-06:00Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pikjTkKjj-8/Un6E4aG0bbI/AAAAAAAABz0/WUvT73lsyB0/s1600/Purple+&+Gold+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pikjTkKjj-8/Un6E4aG0bbI/AAAAAAAABz0/WUvT73lsyB0/s400/Purple+&+Gold+-+Murre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know about the streets of Heaven, nor am I likely to find out -- but parts of County Trunk Q were paved with gold this morning as a sheath of shed tamarack needles clung to the wetted roadway. That's good enough for me. <i> ~ RM</i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-36423053926805278532013-11-02T12:04:00.000-05:002013-11-02T12:04:44.318-05:00Of Sugar and Marigolds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPZykDroN80/UnUuzOCRpTI/AAAAAAAABzU/Rlf-Tx92m5c/s1600/dia+de+los+muertos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPZykDroN80/UnUuzOCRpTI/AAAAAAAABzU/Rlf-Tx92m5c/s400/dia+de+los+muertos.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>La Dia de los Muertos</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>let us remember</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and let us dance</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>~ RM</b></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-60317733844215776812013-10-31T09:27:00.000-05:002013-10-31T09:41:41.694-05:00Hallows Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIJ4hmQCVZY/UnJmlsTjMoI/AAAAAAAABzE/IiKWxTEYE_g/s1600/square-cropped+Ralph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIJ4hmQCVZY/UnJmlsTjMoI/AAAAAAAABzE/IiKWxTEYE_g/s400/square-cropped+Ralph.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With appropriate dark</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this damp chill</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow begins November</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We shall wear brave masks tonight</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>RM</i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-41723997157705666842013-10-15T17:51:00.001-05:002013-10-15T22:11:58.827-05:00Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljwydu4Odk0/Ul4DmyBVKTI/AAAAAAAABy0/ZbOBqKPDoDU/s1600/Thordarson+Boathouse+II+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljwydu4Odk0/Ul4DmyBVKTI/AAAAAAAABy0/ZbOBqKPDoDU/s400/Thordarson+Boathouse+II+-+Murre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">Islands</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">No man, you tell me, but
everyman, I tell you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and woman and boat, every
Wisconsin farmhouse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and apartment in the <st1:place w:st="on">Bronx</st1:place>; an island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That blue circle of
horizon, the dangerous passage,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">those days the ferry
cannot cross from my shores<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">to the quiet cove of yours. The sea between.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">That's the little tug </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">Neverwas </i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">in my sketch above, departing Rock Island, Wisconsin, in the early afternoon of long ago, and getting a friendly wave from an unidentified guest at the Thordarson Boathouse, where Sharon Auberle and I were recently privileged to read to a sizable and receptive audience from our book </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">Wind Where Music Was.</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;"> Headliner on the program was ferryman Richard Purinton, who was introducing his </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">Thordarson and Rock Island</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">, an absolute "must read" for anyone interested in the history of the region and the biography of the man. I predict that this wonderfully researched volume will be the standard text on the topic for a long time to come. ~ </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">RM</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-38970535007555160482013-09-20T12:12:00.000-05:002013-09-20T12:12:28.878-05:00Falling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eotBK7T1nJw/UjyALH-ODsI/AAAAAAAAByU/_p1ikDKLe-k/s1600/little+boat+-+big+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eotBK7T1nJw/UjyALH-ODsI/AAAAAAAAByU/_p1ikDKLe-k/s400/little+boat+-+big+moon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">digitally derived from seed co. photo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like a Melon, Love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">She weighed it in her hand<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
her heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">this
chance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">this
could be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
a cantaloupe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">this
fruit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">this
thing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">bought
on faith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">before
it could be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">cut
open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">She<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">smelled
of it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">felt
of it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">fell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
<i>Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: orange;">That
first line (<i>italicized</i>) is a snippet</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: orange;">borrowed
from Louis de Bernieres</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-69640362124335685002013-09-19T19:03:00.000-05:002013-09-19T19:23:57.188-05:00Deity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMo0n0SkIT4/UjuQKpVarsI/AAAAAAAAByE/U0WZM2nfaGo/s1600/At+the+Controls+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMo0n0SkIT4/UjuQKpVarsI/AAAAAAAAByE/U0WZM2nfaGo/s400/At+the+Controls+-+Murre.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Proud to present photographic proof, at last, that there is Someone Up There, a man at the controls, if you will. Look very closely and you'll note that He, like the rest of us, is scratching His head as He looks at the good old U.S. of A.</b></span>Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-59331834434070704212013-09-02T11:59:00.000-05:002013-09-02T11:59:21.018-05:00Remembering My Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yza9F1BIKs/UiTCPQVnZAI/AAAAAAAABxo/jpL_I5IO1YY/s1600/Stallions+-+Murre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yza9F1BIKs/UiTCPQVnZAI/AAAAAAAABxo/jpL_I5IO1YY/s400/Stallions+-+Murre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the First Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coy
Colleen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">goes
not unnoticed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
slack-jawed juniors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
in the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">mares’
tails<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">chased
by stallions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">their
thunderhead bluster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">their
temporary insanity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ Ralph Murre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.com1