The Apostrophe Blog
My poem, “A Long Way Around” appears in the print issue of the American Writers Review 2025 anthology of poetry, stories, essays, art, and photograph from San Fedele Press. The theme for the anthology is “Buyers’ Remorse.” Here is what the anthology editor, D. Ferrara, has to say about the collection: “The work in this issue springs from the moment when the best-laid schemes have turned to dust. The crash can be obvious, subtle, or not yet realized. Some capture the instant of recognition and regret. Others speak to those who will never know what caused it, but who move forward blind to cause and effect.” My poem is in the form of a golden shovel; each line ends with a word that is the text of the short poem, “Release,” by A.R. Ammons.
A Long Way Around
a golden shovel based on the poem, “Release,” by A.R. Ammons
I was the one who sought after
a pollen of essence—the gist, the pith, a
pilgrimage to find meaning even if it took the long
and imperiled way around. Days grew muggy
and pessimistic and, in time, there was no hanging
on to the monuments or the myths. Each day
revealed itself over and over again—the
perfect storm of originality meets déjà vu. Raindrops
became my purification. I started
to live for the wail of the evening train, so
elemental I wished I could reverse my sparse
companion plantings of diffidence and regret. Because the
truth is I got it all wrong. Every bumblebee
knew what the story was, flew
its necessary pollinator missions between
the syllable, the line, and the song. Why not let them
oversee life on earth? Why not let them carry us home?
I took the above photograph on the morning of October 29, 2025 after several days of vigorous rains. I was surprised to see that the dinner-plate dahlia, Maki—the largest bloom in my flower beds—survived the crazy storms intact. And lo and behold, this morning was playing host to a thirsty visiting bee.
Interests: Reading, writing, not arithmetic. The art and craft of poetry. Photography. Vegetable and flower gardening especially heirloom bulbs and dahlias. Movies in real theatres. Theatre on real stages. Art in real galleries. Crossword puzzles and, of course, Wordle. Singer-songwriters like Aimee Mann and Patti Griffin. All kinds of music especially 1930s jazz. Venice, Italy! The Dude abides.
- Publication News: Buyers’ Remorse Issue of American Writers Review - October 30, 2025
- We Are All Frog… - October 20, 2025
- Publication News: Burn It Down! - October 19, 2025
