Riehlife Poem-of-the-Day: “Sparta, Illinois–1963” by Maurice L. Hirsch

We have Maurice Hirsch’s mentor and friend, Catherine Rankovic, to thank for today’s Poem-of-the-Day. Welcome! He joins us from Chesterfield, Missouri. Here’s some background he’s shared on his poem “Sparta, Illinois–1963” We lived and worked in Sparta from 1962-1964. It was a tipping point in the transition of this town/area from segregation toward integration in…

Riehl’s poem “TREASURE CHEST” from “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” tells father’s life of service…in the service [World War II] and back home

Janet Grace Riehl and Erwin A. Thompson, father-daughter writing team TREASURE CHEST by Janet Grace Riehl from “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” He labors in the grove of service. Remembers flat tires, repaired. Loans proffered for crises. Then his somber face glows with the light of a thousand-watt angel. Memories of good turns returned is a…

Writers in the Sky February Newsletter presents Riehl’s poem “Window Frame” from “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary”

Yvonne Perry of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services asked me to send her a poem for her February newsletter. Click here to read the entire newsletter. I sent an excerpt from WINDOW FRAME originally published in “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” and dedicated to my mother Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson (January 4, 1916-May 1,…

Riehl’s poem “Crocus” from “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” featured in World Audience’s “Audience Buzz Newsletter” for January 2008—Just in time for my mother’s memorial birthday, today

“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…

“Water Ceremonies,” Part II, Africa—a poem by Janet Grace Riehl (Tales from Maun, Botswana; Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana; Kalahari Desert in Western Botswna)

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…