Note from the series editor, Katie Dozier: “As a regular reader on our weekly Rattlecast Prompt Lines, Jared frequently shares his contrarian takes on the world—which fly with particular grace in this poem. With the wingspan of the eight lines in a triolet, he crafts an extended metaphor on the wind of a perfect title. The humor of ‘beautifullest’ shakes our tail feathers, and we may never look at a pigeon the same way again.”
Jim Daniels: “I had a speech defect for many years, and I found solace in expressing myself on paper. A teacher in high school changed my life when he told me I was writing poems. Despite or because of the many other defects I have accumulated since then, I continue to write.”
Seth Peterson: “I recently stumbled upon the work Propublica has done to document the cost of ‘sweeps’ of homeless encampments. Like many, I have mixed feelings about the practice. This poem is informed, in part, by letters written by the unhoused people whose things were taken in sweeps. One woman said her husband’s ashes were taken and she hoped ‘he wasn’t in the dump.’ Last year (2024) saw the number of sweeps increase across the country, a trend that will likely continue in 2025.”
James Crews: “I write poems because I am trying to hold onto my moments. Having lost a lot of close family members and friends lately, I see how easily our world can change in an instant, and I think I write as a way to pull the moments I love back into myself and hold onto them just a little longer.” (web)
When I behold the charm
of evening skies […]
knowing that this galaxy of ours
is one of multitudes
in what we call the heavens,
it troubles me. It troubles me.
—President Jimmy Carter, from his poem “Considering the Void”
Jean Prokott: “America mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter and celebrates one hell of a life lived. I’ve been reading his poetry this week and came upon this quote: ‘being president is as difficult as writing the perfect poem.’ If only all leaders were poets.” (web)
Moira Linehan: “I am a practicing Catholic. The place where I write overlooks a small pond called Winter Pond. Its weather and wildlife keep showing me the incarnational nature of this world. Scriptural language and stories, embedded since childhood, rise up—often unbidden—and help me give voice to what I am given to praise.” (web)
Joe Barca: “When I was a seventh grader at Sacred Heart Grammar School, my teacher made me memorize ‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll. To this day, I can still recite the poem. Someday, I hope to have a student learn one of my poems by heart.” (web)
