The Pope spoke eloquently today of the need to live in harmony with each other, saying, “We are not called to live without the other, above or against the other, but with the other, for the other and in the other”.
In honor of Trinity Sunday and the Holy Father’s eloquent reminder, here is today’s dose of great art, poetry, and music. Continue reading “Trinity Sunday”
One of my favorite painters is Giovanni Bellini. (Side note: the “Bellini” is also my favorite cocktail. The delicious mix originated in Venice. It is made with Prosecco and peach nectar, and tastes as vibrant as a sky looks in any one of Bellini’s paintings.) Today, I would like to focus on that great painting from the Frick collection: St. Francis in the Desert. Next time you are in New York, put the Frick on your list of must-see attractions for this painting alone. It will not disappoint.
What’s intriguing about this painting? There are many things. The sense of solitude in nature combined with a desk and a book at the ready is infinitely appealing. The painting is rife with symbolism and so is quite poetic. Continue reading “Favorite Bellinis”
So it turns out Pope Francis hasn’t watched TV since 1990. In his words, “it’s not for me.” In 1990, he made a promise to the Blessed Mother not to watch again. But in an aside, he also reveals that he misses going out to get pizza.
Anyone who enjoys a blog centered around poetry, music and the arts must be able to understand the Pope’s decision, even if he or she still enjoys a good show on TV. After all, in our contemporary society, we have so many shortcuts to seemingly grant us more time (dishwashers, automobiles, computers) that earlier generations did not enjoy, and yet studies show that we are more anxious and stress-filled than any generation before. Continue reading “Pizza With the Pope”
In Pope Francis’s homily for Pentecost Sunday, he called for more men and women to be filled with the Holy Spirit. One way to invite a “soul on fire,” as today’s song calls for: inspire your spirit through great art. Aim to have a faith (and an approach to life) that is not lukewarm, but filled with fiery zeal. That kind of passion can be invited through greater awareness of wonder and awe, in other words, through contact with the genuinely beautiful. Continue reading “Celebrating Pentecost Sunday”
May 15-17, 2015: Retreat with Mary
I led an overnight retreat for the Diocese of Rockville Center this past weekend, and the theme was “Of Roses and Thorns: A Retreat with Mary.”
It was a wonderful experience, and the retreatants were amazing people. I share with you a sample of the art, poetry and music from that retreat.
To celebrate the day that honors the many loving sacrifices of motherhood, here’s some music, poetry, and art on that subject to sustain your soul’s sense of the beautiful. Here’s to all among us who attain literal and spiritual motherhood with love and strength.
It is May, my favorite month (My other favorite is October. Interestingly, both months are dedicated to Mary.) May is the month of lilies of the valley, one of my three favorite flowers. The only thing about lilies of the valley in my yard is that they can be overlooked in an often busy month. Before you know it, they are gone, which is a reminder to slow down our pace a bit and take in the beauties this month has to offer. Here is a bouquet—to celebrate to really notice the small details nature offers in brief, perfect bursts, “to see their light upon the spring”. Continue reading “Lilies of the Valley”
In 2014, I was named Long Island Poet of the Year. It was a wonderful honor, and the awards ceremony became a treasured memory.
So it was a distinct pleasure to give the introduction for this year’s honoree, Dr. Graham Everett. Graham Everett is the founder of Street Press, one of the most well respected independent poetry publishers on Long Island. Continue reading “Introducing Graham Everett”
Gave a reading from my new book at The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception today. The crowd favorite was “Miriam,” and so I include that poem in today’s blog post. Miriam was the sister of Moses, the one who looked over him as he floated down the Nile, away from his family of origin and towards a great and heroic destiny. Continue reading “Meet Miriam”
I had the honor of speaking to the Emmaus group at St. Patrick’s church in Huntington this evening. They are a wonderful group of people, led by excellent teacher Anthony Marinelli, committed to the study of scripture and vibrant discussions of faith. My reading there was part of a Spring book tour I am giving to celebrate the launch of my new book, A Ship to Hold the World and The Marionette’s Ascent, published by Wiseblood Books.
Wiseblood, which is “wide-eyed for new epiphanies of beauty” is a press rooted in the Catholic literary tradition of Flannery O’Connor, Continue reading “Book Tour: A Ship to Hold the World and The Marionette’s Ascent”
In honor of Divine Mercy Sunday, here’s some music, poetry and art on that subject to fulfill your soul’s sense of the beautiful. Here’s to mercy! May we receive it, and may we grant it.
This evening, I attended the second annual Poetry Affair in the Hamptons. This is a lovely annual event in honor of poetry month hosted by Rosalind Brenner, featuring prominent Long Island poets in a taped and later televised performance. It was a memorable night. I read several of my favorite poems, including “Still Life,” a poem honoring a person who has died but whose legacy remains.
Coincidentally, when I came home, An Affair to Remember was on television. The scene in which the characters played by Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr visit “Janou,” the grandmother of Cary Grant’s character, is one of the most touching and tender in the history of film. Just watch this clip for beautifully subtle acting by Grant, as his character falls in love with Kerr while she sings. However extraordinary Kerr and Grant are in this scene, it may be said that they were outshined by Cathleen Nesbitt as “Janou.” Continue reading “An Affair to Remember”