Mike Powers
Winner of the 2010 "Best of AC" Award in the Books category, I am a freelance writer with extensive experience writing online book, movie, and music reviews, poetry, short stories, and other articles of general interest. I retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1997, after completing 22 years of active duty service to my country. For the past 8 years, I've worked as a rural mail carrier in a small coastal Maine village near our home. My wife Delicia Powers (a very talented and accomplished poet and fellow Yahoo! Contributor Network contributor) and I live in midcoast Maine in our "Dream House in the Woods." We're the parents of three adult children and the proud grandparents of two gorgeous granddaughters.
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Education/Experience
MPA Troy State University; BS, University of MaineInterests
history, biography, books, movies, music, writing, photography, poetry, politics, current events, technology, spiritual growth, personal developmentMotto
Seeking tranquility between the whispers of creation and the whispers of life.
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Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 497) for Yahoo! Voices
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Sometimes (Crossroads of Faith)A poem. Rictameter swirl. Reflections on discovering the Divine Spark within...
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Sunset in the DesertA poem. Rictameter. A meditation on the end of the Iraq War.
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I, PoetA poem. Rictameter. I am a poet, sculptor of verse.
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“The Pacific” (2010 HBO Miniseries): “None Came Out Unscathed…”"The Pacific" is a brilliant achievement in every respect. It joins "Band of Brothers" as one of the two best war stories I've ever seen in any cinematic medium.
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Advent Canticle: WaitingA poem. Rictameter. We wait for the promised day... -
"Justified" Season 1 (2010): A "TV on DVD" ReviewSimply put, "Justified" Season 1 is television entertainment at its very best! Don't miss it!
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Product Review: Philips HTS3565 Home Theater SystemThe Philips HTS3565 is an excellent and inexpensive DVD-based home theater system.
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Those Old Birthday Boy BluesA poem. Rictameter. A celebration (of sorts) on turning 60 today...
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Sex, Lies, and Cover-Up: Joe Paterno’s "Sins of Omission" End His Storied CareerA sex scandal at Penn State University explodes into public view. Did the cover-up of a former assistant coach's crimes against children cost legendary football coach Joe Paterno his job...?
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One Brief MomentA poem. Rictameter. One brief moment, out in the country...
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Sestina for Veteran's DayA poem. Sestina. Honoring our Nation's heroes on Veteran's Day...
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Autumn Leaves and SnowA poem. Haiku. October ends with a surprise...
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Scenes from Midcoast Maine - October Surprise!Sunday Morning, October 30, 2011: Waking up to an "October Surprise..."
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The Old Red Country FarmhouseA poem. Rictameter. What secrets lie within these walls...?
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"NCIS" Season 9 Gets Off to a Rousing StartAs the new broadcast TV season gets underway, NCIS once again proves why it's the best, most popular show on television...
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Fire in the SkyA poem. Rictameter. Look to the western horizon...
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"Two and a Half Men" Without Charlie Sheen: Man the Lifeboats, ‘Cause She’s Goin’ Down!For all those fans of Two and a Half Men who worried that the show wouldn't be as good without Charlie Sheen in the starring role: your worst fears are well founded.
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NightfallA poem. Haiku. Reflections at twilight...
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"Person of Interest" Engages, CompelsPerson of Interest, a new CBS crime thriller, gives viewers a chilling peek into ordinary life after 9/11 – replete with surveillance cameras, audio recording devices, vigilante justice. -
DreamsA poem. Rictameter. Do our dreams float by like clouds? -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Autumn SunsetThe lovely village of Wiscasset, Maine is an ideal place to see some spectacular sunsets. Walk along the shore with me now as the sun goes down on a mid-autumn evening... -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Around Boothbay Harbor IIMore views of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, one of the most beautiful seacoast villages in the midcoast region. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Boothbay Region LighthousesViews of the lighthouses that serve as aids to navigation for seafarers in the Boothbay Region of midcoast Maine. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Around Boothbay HarborScenes from Boothbay harbor, Maine, on a crystal clear October day. -
Voices of the AncientsA poem. Rictameter. Voices of the ancients speak to us. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Around Southport IslandViews from around Southport Island, located near Boothbay Harbor in midcoast Maine -
CloudsA poem. Rictameter. We are clouds floating gently by... -
My Call to Service: An Air Force Career in RetrospectMy career on active duty with the United States Air Force spanned two decades, from 1976 through 1997. In this first of several planned articles, I provide an overview of how I answered my call to service to my country. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Hendricks Head, SouthportCome along on a tour of Hendricks Head, on the western side of Southport Island in Midcoast Maine! -
Path of PeaceA poem. Haiku. Walking along a path of peace. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Cape Newagen and the CuckoldsScenes from Cape Newagen, at the southern tip of Southport Island, Maine, and the Cuckolds Fog and Light Station. -
September's WhispersA poem. Haiku. Hear the whispers of September. -
Farewell, Summer Days!A poem. Tanka. We once again bid farewell to summer. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Capitol IslandJourney with me now along a one-lane road on Capitol Island, near Southport, Maine, on a sunny September day. -
Scenes from Coastal Maine - Along a Nature TrailTake a walk along a nature trail at the Dodge Point Nature Preserve in Newcastle, Maine. -
Nature TrailA poem. Rictameter swirl. Walking along a quiet nature trail. -
QuietA poem. Rictameter. Listen for the quiet... -
Severe ClearA poem. Free verse. Remembering 9/11/01, ten years later... -
Dog DaysA poem. Rictameter. Farewell to the dog days of summer. -
A Changing HeartA poem. Free Verse. A meditation on a changing heart in today's world. -
A Gardener's MysteryI am constantly amazed by the mysteries of the wildflower garden that adorns our front yard. Case in point: The Balloon Flower, also known as the Chinese Bellflower. -
A Gardener's DelightA poem. Tritina. A paean of praise to the lovely Balloon Flower. -
More Wildflower Garden DelightsMore delights from our wildflower garden. Enjoy! -
Wildflower Garden TreasuresEnjoy these floral treasures from the wildflower garden in our front yard!
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Sienna MoonA poem. Villanelle. A sienna moon on a balmy summer's night. -
StrollingA poem. Monchielle. A leisurely walk on a summer afternoon. -
Song of a Summer's EveningA poem. Sestina. Listen to the song of a quiet summer's evening. -
After the RainfallA poem. Haiku. In my garden, after the rainfall -
Into the BayA poem. Villanelle. I sail into the bay. -
Patriots' DreamsA poem. Crown Cinquain. We honor America's Founders on Independence Day... -
The Common Foxglove - the Bells of Our GardenWhen we first saw it in our garden in the spring of 2010, it looked like a dull cabbage plant growing next to our front porch. Was it a weed? One year later, the common foxglove now adorns our wildflower garden in all its early summer glory! -
The Bells of Our GardenOur Common Foxglove plant continues to thrive. Come and enjoy these floral "Bells of Our Garden!" -
Turn Around NowA poem. Rondeau. A Meditation on Today. -
A Wildflower Garden GalleryFinally, our wildflower garden is blooming! Come and enjoy this gallery of wildflowers in their colorful spring glory!
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Field of ButtercupsA poem. Cinquain. Come walk with me in a field of buttercups. -
Boston Bruins Win the 2011 Stanley CupFor the first time in 39 years, the Boston Bruins stand atop the professional ice hockey world as winners of the 2011 Stanley Cup. -
Report Card on the June 13, 2011 Republican Presidential Debate in New HampshireHere's my report card on the debate between 7 candidates for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. The debate was held at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, and was aired by CNN. -
Discovered: Pink Ladies in the ForestWe recently discovered a colony of pink lady's slippers growing in a wooded section of our yard, about 40 feet from our house. Here's a tanka poem and some additional information about this gorgeous wildflower. -
Pink Lady's Slippers On DisplayWe discovered a colony of pink lady's slippers growing in a section of woods in our front yard. Take a look at this beautiful and wondrous wildflower in its spring glory! -
The HeroA poem. Free verse. In honor of Memorial Day. -
First Impressions: 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS PZEV SedanThe completely redesigned 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS PZEV sedan boasts superb performance and handling; and a roomy, full-featured, and well-appointed interior. I haven't been this excited about owning a new car for years! -
Considerations for Buying a "Leaner and Greener" New CarColor, style, and features aren't the only things to consider when buying a new car. Fuel economy and "eco-friendliness" are vital factors as well. -
ForsythiaA poem. Cinquain. Forsythia proclaims spring's arrival... -
SerenityA poem. Rictameter. Seeking serenity within my daily life.
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Our Risen KingA poem. Rictameter. He is not here...He is risen! -
Our KingA poem. Crown Cinquain. A meditation for Good Friday -- -
The Midnight Visitor: A SonnetA poem. A sonnet in the manner of Shakespeare. At midnight, a visitor to my room -- -
When War CameA poem. Free Verse. When war came to the nations... -
The Civil War at 150In April 2011, the United States of America begins commemorating the sesquicentennial of one of the key events in its history: the beginning of the Civil War. -
Pastel Shades of AprilA poem. Cinquain. April's pastels whisper promises of spring. -
SailingA poem. Crown Cinquain, Sailing toward my destination. -
SeafarersA poem. Rictameter. Seafaring souls that go down to the sea... -
Spring BreakA poem. Rictameter. A spring break... at last! -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - A Lovely Spring Day in AprilSpring is here! Watch how the season is unfolding here in Maine in April 2011... -
Session 19: Pasture of WoeA poem. Rictameter. Seeking comfort from pain... -
Session 17: Echoes and WhispersA poem. Crown Cinquain. A moonlit night and memories lead to sleeplessness. -
The MigrationA poem. Rictameter. A migration has begun... -
VexationA poem. Rhyming Tanka. Writer's block has reared its ugly head... -
March Madness NewsA poem. Free verse. Finally! The March Madness NCAA Basketball Finals are set! UConn and Butler to play for the National Championship! -
April's Snowy FoolishnessA poem. Haiku. Nature plays a cruel joke on April Fool's Day -- -
March Madness BluesA song of the 2011 Men's College Basketball Tournament, a.k.a "March Madness"
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Teach Your ChildrenA poem. Rictameter. Lessons for our children -
Song of Waiting - IIA poem. Tanka. A promise of strength for those who wait... -
War and PeaceA poem. Rictameter. Seeking peace in the midst of war... -
Sea SongA poem. Mirror Cinquain. Listen to the timeless song of the sea. -
Farewell, Skye (1994-2011)A poem. Rictameter. We bid farewell to Skye. We shall miss her... -
Scenes from Coastal Maine - My Top 25 Photos of 2010-2011Here are my top 25 photos taken around the coast of Maine, during my first year at the Yahoo! Contributor Network/Associated Content. -
Celebrating My 1-Year Anniversary at the Yahoo! Contributor Network/Associated ContentToday, March 20, 2011, marks my first anniversary as a writer for the Yahoo! Contributor Network/Associated Content. What a year this has been! -
Colors of Early SpringThree poems. A haiku trio. Winter slowly fades and spring makes its entrance. -
The 10 Deadliest Earthquakes Since 1900Here is a list of the 10 deadliest earthquakes in the world since 1900. -
Melting SeasonA poem. Tanka. Hear the sound of coming spring! -
The 10 Most Powerful Earthquakes Since 1900A list of the 10 most powerful earthquakes in the world since 1900. -
A Pair of SchillersA poem. Satirical verse. A pair of Schillers at NPR get the "heave-ho..." -
Update: Mel Gibson Accepts Plea Deal in Domestic Violence Case; Won't Get Jail TimeMel Gibson will plead "no contest" to one misdemeanor domestic violence charge; Oksana won't be charged for allegedly trying to extort $15 million from Mel. -
One LeafA poem. Cinquain. A portrait of determination. -
From Hallowed HallsA poem. Rondeau. From hallowed halls, fewer voices - and many questions... -
Mud SeasonA poem. Mirror Cinquain. After the winter, but before the spring, comes Mud Season... -
Can You Hear the Cold Wind Blowing...?A poem. Tanka. A cold wind is now blowing...
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Movie Review "Platoon" (1986) Starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie SheenThe year 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of "Platoon," one of the best and most highly honored films of all time. It is truly an outstanding film, and certainly the best movie ever made by Oliver Stone. -
The Elder of Y! SpeakethA poem. Haiku. The Elder of Y! speaketh words of encouragement... -
Book Review - The Yard by Michael S. SandersThe Yard, by Michael S. Sanders, takes readers inside Bath Iron Works, a shipyard in Bath, Maine. The book is an excellent overview of how the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers were built at the turn of the 21st century. -
Thus Saith the GOOGLEA poem. Haiku. The all-powerful Google speaketh, and the world trembles... -
Cold, Hard RealityA poem. Crapsey Cinquain. Lingering winter dashes the promise of coming spring... -
CBS's Hit Comedy "Two and a Half Men" Halted for Remainder of the SeasonCBS and Warner Brothers announce an early end to the 2010-2011 season for "Two and a Half Men." Network execs put the blame squarely on Charlie Sheen's profane words and erratic public behavior. -
Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva Cases in DA's Hands; Decision Expected SoonThe Los Angeles District Attorney may decide soon whether or not Mel Gibson, his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, or both, will face criminal charges.
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Update: Judge Tells Lindsay Lohan: "You Are Going to Jail. Period."Lindsay Lohan appears in court on February 23, 2011, and gets some sobering news from Judge Keith Schwartz in connection with her alleged theft of a $2,500 gold necklace. -
Dancing in SunshineA poem. Rictameter. Winter sunshine heralds the coming spring. -
Anniversary Song (Three Loves)A poem. Tanka-Cinquain Hybrid. Celebrating 40 Years of Marriage: February 20, 2011 -
TodayA poem. Cinquain. Thoughts about today.
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Ford Recalls 525,000 Windstar MinivansFord and NHTSA recall 525,000 Windstar minivans in 22 cold weather states and Canada to repair possible defects caused by road salt. -
Reports: Tom Cruise Linked to FBI's Church of Scientology InvestigationReports say that Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise is linked to an FBI probe of the Church of Scientology. The allegation: the church provided unpaid labor to Cruise to work on his personal property. -
Book Review - Saratoga by Richard M. KetchumSaratoga by Richard M. Ketchum is a well written and highly detailed account of the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, a battle regarded by historians as the turning point of the American revolution. -
Song of ConsolationA poem. Cinquain. Words of consolation in a time of sorrow...
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The Ghost of the Haynesville BrideA poem. Blank Verse. The Legend of the Haynesville Bride. -
Judge to Lindsay Lohan: "Don't Push Your Luck"Lindsay Lohan faces her most serious legal trouble yet - charges that she allegedly stole a $2,500 necklace from an exclusive Los Angeles jewelry store.
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Speak, HeartA poem. Cinquain and Haiku hybrid. To my beloved. -
Fire on IceA poem. Rictameter. Reflections on a winter sunset. -
Amazon Kindle Enkindles My Passion for ReadingThe Amazon Kindle ebook reader is an excellent alternative way to read books... it's easy to use, versatile and convenient, and has an amazingly clear and crisp digital display. -
Book Review - General James Longstreet, the Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier by Jeffrey D. WertGeneral James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier by Jeffrey D. Wert is a candid, fair and balanced portrait of a man who should, but doesn't, rank at the top of any list of the greatest American military leaders in history. -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - February SunsetSunset in Woolwich, Maine, one day after the 2011 "Groundhog Day Snowstorm..."
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TranquilityA poem. Cinquain. Seeking tranquility in my life.
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Movie Review - We Are Marshall (2006) Starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, and Ian McShaneWe Are Marshall is an excellent film that shows how the people of Marshall University and Huntington, West Virginia were able to persevere and begin rebuilding their lives in the wake of unspeakable calamity. -
Groundhog DayA poem. Mirror Cinquain. Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow on Groundhog Day 2011...? -
SnowfallA poem. Cinquain. Once again, snow is falling. -
Night ThoughtsA poem. Cinquain series. Swirling thoughts in the night... -
Snow WearyA poem. Rictameter. Snow is falling... again.
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Crunch TimeA poem. Rictameter. Observations on a cold front passing through. -
Scenes from the Maine Coast - Falmouth Winter SunsetSunset on a cold midwinter's evening in Falmouth, Maine -
Empty NestA poem. Rictameter. Reflections from our empty nest. -
Sea SmokeA poem. Rictameter. Sea smoke rises from the river... -
His DreamA poem. Rictameter. Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) -
Sunday SunriseA poem. Rondeau. Reflections on a Sunday sunrise. -
Book Review - Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund MorrisFinally -- after 31 years, Edmund Morris, Theodore Roosevelt's greatest biographer, has completed Colonel Roosevelt, the third and final volume of his Theodore Roosevelt trilogy. -
Storm WatchA poem. Balassi Stanza. A fair day deceives; winter storm approaching... -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - A Frozen Sunday Morning in JanuaryAlong Maine's coast on a sunny but cold Sunday morning in January -
Movie Review - Friday Night Lights (2004) Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Lucas Black, and Tim McGrawFriday Night Lights is one of the most remarkable sports films I've seen in a long time, and certainly one of the best of its genre to be released in the twenty-first century. -
BlueA poem. Tanka. Finding cheer for the wintertime blues... -
Top 10 Sports Movies of All TimeMy list of the "Top 10 Sports Movies of all Time..." my personal "Sports Movie Hall of Fame" -
Winter IndolenceA poem. Tanka. After the holidays comes a season of indolence... -
Book Review - The Curse of the Bambino by Dan ShaughnessyThe Curse of the Bambino by Dan Shaughnessy is irreverent, wry, witty, satirical, and an altogether wonderfully entertaining book. -
Global WarmingA poem. Tanka. Reflections of global warming. -
Celebrate 100,000!A poem. Senryu/Haiku. Celebrating a new Y!/AC Milestone... -
Scenes from Midcoast Maine - After the SnowfallScenes from our neighborhood on the morning after the first snowfall in December 2010.
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Scenes from Midcoast Maine - Inside a Nor'easterPhotos taken during a nor'easter that struck midcoast Maine on December 27, 2010. -
My Christmas WishA poem. Tanka. My Christmas wish for you. -
Spirit of ChristmasA poem. Tanka. Reflections on the Spirit of Christmas -
The Christmas PromiseA poem. Tanka. The true promise of Christmas... -
Winter SunA poem. Tanka. Observations on the "winter sun."
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Fat SnowflakesA poem. Tanka. Fat snowflakes outside my window. -
Advent Song: Proclaim!A poem. Tanka. Proclaim the Good News! -
Advent Song: Prepare!A poem. Tanka. In the wilderness, prepare! -
Advent Song of ComfortA poem. Tanka. Gentle words of comfort.
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Advent Song: Glad TidingsA poem. Tanka. Glad tidings of comfort and peace -
After the SnowfallA poem. Balassi Stanza. Our world after the first snowfall. -
Pearl Harbor Day: We RememberA poem. Tanka. We remember our heroes who fought and died at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. -
Snow SkyA poem. Balassi Stanza. A wintery sky forewarns of the season's first snowfall. -
A Few "Wild Turkey" Shots on a Sunday Morning...A flock of wild turkeys pays a visit... -
Advent Song: AnnunciationA poem. Tanka. Reflections on the Annunciation to Mary. -
December WindsA poem. Rondeau. December winds on a crisp New England day. -
Book Review - The Real George Washington by Jay A. Parry, Andrew M. Allison, and L. Cleon SkousenThe Real George Washington: America's Most Indispensable Man by Jay A. Parry, Andrew M. Allison, and L. Cleon Skousen, purports to present a portrait of George Washington that shows why he is one of the most beloved figures in American history. -
Book Review: Plain, Honest Men by Richard BeemanPlain, Honest Men by Richard Beeman is an altogether brilliant account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and of how 58 men met in Philadelphia and wrote the document that created an effective system of government for the United States. -
November's EmbersA poem. Tanka. Reflections on approaching December... -
Top 5 Presidential Biographies of All TimeMy selections as the all-time best biographies of Presidents of the United States. -
Winter's AdventA poem. Tanka. Reflections on the approach of winter. -
Song of ExaltationA poem. Tanka. A song of exaltation. -
Book Review - The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music by Ivan March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton, and Paul CzajkowskiThe Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music is the easiest and most comprehensive one-volume survey of classical music on compact discs available today. -
Thanksgiving PrayerA poem. Haiku. A prayer on Thanksgiving Day. -
Full Beaver MoonA poem. Tanka. Full Beaver Moon Rising.
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Song of WaitingA poem. Tanka. Meditations on a soul uplifted. -
Dwelling PlaceA poem. Tanka. Meditations on a dwelling place. -
Thanksgiving TrilogyThree poems. Meditations on Thanksgiving. -
ChangeA poem. Senryu. Reflections on change -
Song of YearningA poem. Tanka. Reflections on a soul's yearning for God.
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Bare TreesA poem. Tanka. Reflections on autumn's bare trees. -
The Guns Fell SilentA poem. Tanka. Meditations on Veteran's Day -
Those Ol' Power Outage BluesA poem. Tanka. Meditations during a power outage. -
Song of ComfortA poem. Tanka. Reflections on where my soul finds rest.
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TransitionsA poem. Senryu. Contemplating life's changes. -
On Veteran's Day: Remember ThemA poem. Rondeau. In remembrance of our nation's veterans on Veteran's Day -
Grandparents' Poem of PraiseA poem. Senryu. On the birth of our granddaughter, November 2, 2010. -
Election DayA poem. Senryu. Reflections on Election Day.
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Autumn ShadowsA poem. Tanka. Autumn shadows on a leaf-covered path. -
Midcoast Maine Fall Foliage Festival 2010 - IIFall foliage on display along a hiking trail on Mackworth Island in Casco Bay, Maine -
Song of CreationA poem. Tanka. Reflections on Psalm 19 -
Midcoast Maine Fall Foliage Festival 2010Maine's fall foliage was a bit subdued this year, but was still spectacular! Here are fall foliage scenes from around our home and the area in which we live! -
Hawaii Five-O, Past and PresentA review of Hawaii Five-O, the iconic 1970s TV cop show, and its 2010 remake, Hawaii Five-0. How do these two shows compare? -
NovemberA poem. Tanka. Reflections on November as it arrives. -
On Halloween NightA poem. Haiku. What happens on Halloween Night... -
All Hallow's EveA poem. Tanka. Reflections on All Hallow's Eve... -
Watching and WaitingA poem. Blank Verse. Watching and waiting for the dawn. -
Golden ThreadA poem. Free Verse. Reflections on the slender thread by which our lives hang...
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Full Moon ReverieA poem. Tanka. Reflections on a full moon.
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Sunday SeascapeA poem. Blank Verse. Walking along a beach on Sunday afternoon. -
Autumn HarvestA poem. Haiku. Ready for the harvest -
GenesisA poem. Tanka. Reflections on Genesis. -
Leaf StormA poem. Tanka. Nor'easter creates a leaf storm. -
Starlight in AutumnA poem. Tanka. Reflections on a starry night in autumn. -
Evening SongA poem. Tanka. Reflections of the evening. -
Movie Review - The Final Countdown (1980) Starring Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, and Katharine RossWhat if you took a modern-day U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and transported it to another time in history? And what if that warship turned up near Hawaii on December 6, 1941 '" the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? -
Morning FrostA poem. Tanka. Autumn's first morning frost.
