My annual presentation at Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site (Vachel House) every year since the first year the event was hosted has been special to me. Only Christmas (another birthday, wouldn’t you know) is more important to me, and Vachel’s birthday has repaid my focus with far more personal satisfaction. During the early years [...]
Archive for the ‘poetry’ Category
The Poet “Spoke” at Vachel House November 7
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on November 7, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Vachel’s Birthday, TWO Gallery Receptions and Classical Music Saturday, November 7
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on November 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
On Saturday, I will see and interact with more good people than most folks engage in a decade of Thanksgivings and Christmases. Here is my clarion call for Honey & Quinine readers 60 miles or closer to Springfield, Illinois to engage some or all of what follows . . .
Starting at 10:30 at Vachel Lindsay [...]
To Know One
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on November 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
To Know One
By Job Conger
I will never understand how your friend’s baby shower
Went to pieces over coconut cake.
I will never understand how my nephew got sick
After digging up clams at the lake.
But I do understand your arm linked to mine
And a future that I teasure so.
With your hand holding mine, I share something divine.
That’s all [...]
Poetry Open Mic Thursday, Springfield
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on November 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
It’s been close to three years since the group formerly known as Poets & Writers Literary Forum of Springfield welcomed all comers to an evening of poetry at a local restaurant. On Thursday, many members of the formerly-known-as group reborn as Springfield Poets and Writers aaaaaaaaand members of Women Writers Group invite all so inclined to [...]
Celebrate Vachel Lindsay’s 130th Birthday Saturday November 7
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on November 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s the official news release from the Illinois Historic Prservation agency:
SPRINGFIELD – The 130th birthday of poet, author and artist Vachel Lindsay will be celebrated Saturday, November 7 with a special event at his Springfield home that is free and open to the public.
The Vachel Lindsay Birthday observance will be held [...]
As Nice a Time — a new poem
Posted in poetry on October 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As Nice A Time
By Job Conger
Written 6:20 pm, October 19, 2009
As any to be glad, fall is,
for the end of summer tempest in the clouds and heat;
from hours in the garden on your hands and knees, retreat.
Brash cacophonies of squirrels’ and cats in rut surcease.
Into harvest homes arrives the year’s encroaching peace.
As any to be [...]
Emcee’s Welcome to Poets
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on October 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Emcee’s Welcome to Poets
by Job Conger
Who are these distracted, bar-bound aliens
who peer into brown glass
as though eternal life awaits them
at the bottom of their bottles
if they time their drinking right?
Who are the wizened gnomes
who stare past your left ear
as you share your soul
in iambic pentameters
behind the microphone?
Whose lips kiss the pious peckers
at philosophy, whose intellectual [...]
Vachel Talk Reunion at McDonald’s
Posted in arts, poetry, writing on October 8, 2009 | 2 Comments »
A new acquaintance and I met for coffee at McDonald’s at Ninth and North Grand. Even before she arrived, I was impressed by the looks of the place. The younger, social set seemed to be having a good time in the front window area which is fairly small in seating capacity, but naturally provides a [...]
Wednesday Confessional
Posted in poetry, writing on September 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Wednesday Confessional
By Job Conger
I would rather lose myself in wine
than find myself in tears.
I have lost myself in love’s sweet songs
and found myself in solitude.
I have lost myself in selfless sharing
and found myself in the silence that too often comes after.
I would rather lose myself if,
in losing myself, I lose expectations.
I have lost myself in [...]
a song A Place
Posted in poetry, writing on September 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A Place
By Job Conger
There is a place for peace in me:
A secret, hidden part
Where I can go
When slings and arrows
Penetrate my heart.
There is a place for peace in me –
Where hate does not prevail –
With gentle breeze
And calmer seas
On which my soul can sail.
(refrain)
I find it in the busy street,
Whyere poets come to read,
In a [...]
