Fluency

When we ask too much of the reader, they revert to word calling or parsing at best. At worst, they focus so intently on each syllable or phonetic sound that they are taken completely outside the text. Don’t send your reader away!

Exercise

Punctuation, creative ideas, chronological writing, detailed writing, concise writing (paring it down with repeated removal of extraneous words), and other exercises make us a more balanced writer.

Cycles

We’ve lost momentum and really don’t know where to pick it up again. I’ve been in that mode. While at times we do need to step away and let our subconscious work, don’t get stuck.

Amazed

My distinction as ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence #19 follows in the penciled furrows of notable authors and poets. I am amazed at the support and faith of the creative community in Racine and Kenosha.

OBSERVATIONS #19 – 12.31.24

EN PLEIN AIRThe humid wind, sandy beaches, blinding light, hidden niches,Safeguards the children,Suspended between parched earth, blue sky, clear water, As if etched in steel, not real, tell time. Trace your way along the path, Through scrub, lost at the edge,Reminiscent of ancient mounds, Dissonance turned melodic,Just beyond, Long shadows of man and trees intersect,Leafy…

OBSERVATIONS #18 – 12.24.24

I Must Do To Be I must do to be, Things move, change waits, Words interrupt, hands interpret, Bodies heal, thoughts roam. Before you, after me, Sands drift to form dunes and valleys, Swirling shapes shift with times motion, And like water, are not silent. Obedient children must speak, They play guard over brown uneven…

OBSERVATIONS INVITATION – 12.1.24

YOU ARE INVITED: “Follow winter’s light to a community gathering of thinkers and talkers, makers and do-ers.” ( Mimi Peterson planning the upcoming Solstice Celebration.) WHERE: Vintage and Modern Books, 415 6th St. , Racine, Wisconsin, 53403 QUESTIONS: Adam: 872/235.3753 WHEN: 3 – 7 P.M. on Friday, December 6, 2024 WHO: Mimi Peterson, Racine Writer-in-Residence,…

Prayer and offerings 

Family gathering for the living and deceased Table spread with savory foods, rich bread, and sweets A voided space between realms filled with laughter  Candles lit for prayer, protection, and to guide our loved ones along the way  Water poured into fancy glasses for libations and hydration  Music playing to raise the frequency of the…

My truth, your truth, whose truth?

The truth will set you free or hold others in captivity. Hear me out. We journey through life experiencing all of these beautiful lessons. I say beautiful because each experience is a lesson that leads to our expansion. That growth and expansion could be mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual. Nonetheless, growth is beautiful to experience,…

Event Announcement + Four Poems

Before the final poems that I’ll be posting in my tenure as the Racine Writer-in-Residence, I want to say thank you to all the readers who have visited over the past six months. I would also like to invite everyone to attend the Open Mic & Performance Showcase I’ll be hosting as my community project…