“Audience Buzz,” a newsletter of World Audience, Inc. (303 Park Avenue South #1440, New York, NY 10010-3657, United States,Tel: (646) 620-7406)–”A 21st century publishing corporation, owned by its writers”–featured my poem “Crocus” in their January 2008 issue.
You can read “Crocus” on the sidebar of Riehlife under the “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” category. Then, go […]

Check out Susan Tweit’s Podcast on “The Nature of Life” with some great stories and perspectives on the power of intention that came from some surprise 2007 resolutions.
Susan says:
It seems to me that if we don’t write from our hearts and say the things we believe most deeply, there’s no point in writing. As psychologist […]

II. Africa
Maun, Botswana
Afternoons, I teach schoolchildren to swim
in the flooded waters of the Tamalakane.
Two fingers support wiry bodies that sink
every chance they get.
“Arch your back! Spread out your limbs! Float! Kick! Paddle!”
Until one student travels under her own speed.
We collapse on the bank, gasping with sputtered water and glee.
Evenings, I swim downriver towards sunset.
A flamboyant […]

Listening to NPR yesterday I heard a long forgotten place name on the globe: Rishikesh.
I traveled to Rishikesh in the mid-1970s in the middle of my Peace Corps tour in Ghana. Imagine: West Africa, Egypt (stopover), 6 weeks of Northern Indian travel on third class trains, then back by way of the Middle East […]

I. India
Rishikesh
Strolling on the banks of the Ganges
Sacred gravel crunches underfoot.
A sadhu* stretches boldly over high drop-off
to collect holy water in just-cleaned leather pouch.
I finger the rushing stream just delivered from melting mountains.
Then, pull out my finger, fast.
Frozen hot pink, finger drips a blessing to forehead, throat, and heart.
“Deliver me from myself,” my heart prays […]

My father Erwin A. Thompson, grandson of E. A. Riehl, writes fondly of Lee Maupin, his boyhood neighbor…and how Pop changed the course of Lee’s life…with a big boost from my Great Aunt Mim. Lee is gone now. And the farm is completely changed. Pop and I still visit Kay Maupin up in Otterville. Kay […]