The “Write, Pen!” technique is a variation of what the Surrealists dubbed “automatic writing.” Writing that came, they felt, from their subconscious, and therefore routed around the conscious mind with its nagging censor dogs yapping at our writing heels too early. In modern day writing circle we use clustering or mind-mapping and free-writing to come…
Wisdom lives within us, we have only to connect with it. But, how? In the 1980s, when I lived in New Mexico, I studied Psychosynthesis Professional Training with the Intermountain Associates of Psychosynthesis, co-directed by Molly Young Brown and Walter Polt. Walter collaborated with me on training programs for my consulting firm Clear Communication and…
At the Albuquerque Airport I stepped out, curbside, looking for some sensible way to carry four containers with only two arms. I was toting two small suitcases, a side bag, and the familiar family solution for overflow—a cardboard box. My friend chauffeuring me spotted the carts. The price seemed right—just a quarter. Yippee! I had…
Part web log, part home to Sightlines:A Poet’s Diary, and my other creative projects in the visual and performing arts. Read sample poems and enjoy photos and background information from Sightlines, and learn more about me and my writing. So look around, and please, feel free to comment.
RUTH THOMPSON LIFE STORY Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson (January 4, 1916 to May 1, 2006) was the daughter of Court I. and Grace V. (nee Higgins) Johnston. At the time of her birth they were farming in Elsah Township, Jersey County, Illinois. As Ruth grew up she had two older brothers, Loris and Lloyd, two…
STOMACH Back in California I give my Midwest cooking a rest. Pizza out of the freezer passes for supper. In Illinois I concoct elaborate stews and spetzle. To cosset my father’s appetite. To help his stomach march through Julia’s death. His savor for life no longer sat at the dining room table after the accident,…
In this section: 9 poems, 1 Essay, 2 photos DOUBLE RAINBOW VISION Like a bridge up to Heaven, perhaps. The sunset is like that, too. Angels climb onto the sunset, trees, and skies. These are the gates of Heaven. A week after a good person dies then a rainbow happens. The rest rise up on…
In this section: 12 poems, 4 photos QUAIL VISITATION Daniel cleaned twin windows facing the mountain. Cleared away grime two years in the making. I cooked supper while he looked out. “What a shame when birds slam into glass.” Then, suddenly, one did. A big sound. Then, down. Tiger prowled the deck to claim his…
In this section: 26 poems, 7 photos LOVING LIBERTY Her loves her, Liberty. He really loves her. She’s old, Liberty. Really old. But something went wrong with Liberty’s back right leg. To save the hind leg, they had to cut off two toes. This old dog Liberty had to learn new tricks. Now she limps,…
Story Poems — Of And For The Families Of The World by Janet Grace Riehl tr”> Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary Dedicated to my mother, Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson Writers Read, Ukiah, California