Upcoming Reading

Along with other Kelsay Books authors, I'll be participating in a poetry reading at The Parkside Lounge, May 21, between 2:00-5:00 pm. Stop by! Cheer me on from afar! 

NYC is a magical place, always has been for me, and I look forward to returning with poems in hand. 

Cheers,

Charise

 

 

A Sign to Remind

 

A dear friend sent me this photo from the library in Charlottesville, Virginia. As the national spotlight on poetry for the month of April ends, a question looms: "got poetry?"

My chapbook Muse in a Suitcase is one year in print and now on sale at amazon. This is what happens when a book is no longer hot off the press. Meanwhile, it's still growing––consider the reach. Thanks to those who have already embraced these poems; and if you haven't, take advantage of a sale. The worth is the same, I promise. 

https://www.amazon.com/Muse-Suitcase-Charise-M-Hoge/dp/1954353251

 

Warm Wishes,

Charise

April = Poetry = Alice

 

For national poetry month, I'm showcasing the work of Alice Walker. She was a teacher of mine for a summer creative writing course at Sarah Lawrence College. That was before The Color Purple hit the literary world. In her class she advocated for an authentic voice, and would call us out if we were not using ours. 

Cheers,

Charise

Art to Art

Photo by Salwan Georges, The Washington Post

Sandbags are used to protect this monument in Odessa, Ukraine. At the same time, the installation of sandbags makes a new statement of art. It's arresting. 

I'm thinking that an ekphrastic challenge is at hand. Write a poem that speaks to this image, art to art. Will you take up the poetry prompt? It's the first prompt of this blog, probably way overdue.

Warm wishes,

Charise

"Legacy"

Legacy

         for Michelle Ava

  

 

The light insists––

though rare 

is the iridescence 

carried on a cloud.

 

I saw one today

as we were discussing

plans for your memorial.

 

Prismatic emblem,

a cloud rainbow.

 

You would have applauded

the synchronicity of that.

 

You are that synchronicity.

 

Look––la lumière, la luz,

vibrant even in the vapor.

            ~LCMH

"Looping Bells on a Downspout"

Looping Bells on a Downspout

 

We turn toward bells

solace or solution

welcoming or repelling

thieves who took

our copper downspout

in the wee hours 

of our mid-sleep

the scene is reset

new like rainfall 

in the wee hours

thieves who took

solace or solution 

of our mid-sleep

the scene is reset

our copper downspout

new like rainfall 

welcoming or repelling 

we turn toward bells

~LCMH

Today is 2/22/22, a palindrome date. This poem is not a perfect palindrome; but I'm considering it a member of the palindrome family (maybe a cousin). There's leeway with the rearrangement of nine lines as they repeat, a swerve in the form.

Listen to Gwendolyn

One of my favorite places for a stroll is Library Way in New York City, where plaques of writers' words are part of the sidewalk. The last time I was there, in May 2021, this one gave me pause.

 

"A poem doesn't do everything for you.

You are supposed to go on with your thinking.

You are supposed to enrich

the other person's poem with your extensions,

your uniquely personal understandings,

thus making the poem serve you."

Gwendolyn Brooks 

 

Let's listen to Gwendolyn. She reminds us of our rights as readers. 

 

Cheers,

Charise

 

Palm Reader

"...you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. 

All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. 

You are the continuation of each of these people."

Thich Nhat Hanh