Poetry For Now

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It’s October 2026 and I just came back from the Dodge Poetry Festival in Newark New Jersey and it was inspiring. In preparation for the festival and motivated by going there I put together a book to offer at the Festival, called TAKE A STEP WITH THE WALKING POET. This episode is a selection of the new poems I wrote for that book.   Check out the preview at Blurb.com to see the table of contents and more.

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After completing St.Cuthbert’s Way more than a month ago It took me awhile to process my experiences.  So this is about the end of that walk and the realization that three themes emerged: first the sudden shock of coming back into “civilization”,  second that human nature continues to follow history and create inequalities and conflicts, and finally the realization that I experienced a form of time travel, a Dr. Who experience. 

“ANICK” is actually spelt Alnwick but in Northumbrian names Ls and Ws are not spoken. You will hear the Pitmen Poets a folk singing quartet I saw in the library’s theatre.  

If you go to thewalkingpoet.net you can see me flying and other photos from my walk and Alnwick.  Stay safe and do whatever you can to influence the world positively 

Special thanks to "THE PITMEN POETS" folk singers who gave me permission to use their music - please listen to their ending song!

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I walked St Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose, Scotland to Holy Island in Northumberland in June and July 2026 this is my 3rd experience doing this.  Previously I walked on the Franciscan Way and the Camino de Santiago.  St Cuthbert lived around 650AD, he preferred solitude and walking in nature, but when he was elected a bishop this is the way he walked, to follow his calling.  These poems capture my experience of the landscape, the history and the spirit of St.Cuthbert and the monks (canons) who lived in the beautiful abbeys and priories on the route.  Photos can be seen on www.thewalkingpoet.net

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This is a continuation of Episode 3.  In 2018 I walked on the Israel national Trail also known as the Schwill, which means the path. The poems in this episode describe the second half of my walk with the group. I finally left the group at Tel Aviv and returned back to the USA.  While I understand why Israel attacked terrorists in Gaza and now Lebanon, I am truly disappointed and disgusted with the extent of the destruction and killing that have happened the last few years. After my experience walking the trail, I would not have expected that. The Israeli government clearly does not represent the majority of the population and the people I walked with. 

For photos and more poems see my book on Blurb.com "Walking the Israel National Trail".

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In 2018 I walked on part of the Israel National Trail, known as the Schwill, which starts in the Negev Desert and ends on the northern border with Lebanon. I join a group called Walk about love, intended to encourage Jews and Arabs. Israelis and Palestinians to walk together. I had a beautiful experience of interaction with the land of the Bible and the people of Israel. This is how Israel was meant to be.  Please listen and enjoy the poetry and music of Israel at Peace.

Photos and more poetry are in my book "Walking on the Israel National Trail - Spring 2018" published on Blurb.com.  The next episode (4) will continue my walk.

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 At this time, with war and destruction around the globe and innocent human beings dying pointlessly, what can I do?  The best thing I can do for my and your sanity, is to focus on gratitude and what brings us joy, our common humanity and the consciousness in everyone and everything.  No excuses this is about the spirit!

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I just completed a 6 day kayaking expedition with a small group into 10,000 islands in SW Florida.  Even though I have done a lot of river kayaking, this was my first experience of having to carry all our food, water and equipment across open water in rough seas and windy conditions. we learned how to pack the kayaks: A for Access, B for Balance and C for Compression.   I hope these poems give you an idea what this trip was like.

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I picked up my journals of 2017 and 2020 and I found some poems that really resonate with me today. Just a brief explanation I have been following a path of yoga called Siddha Yoga with our teacher Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, for many years. And on January 1st each year she gives us a message, "A SWEET SURPRISE", something to think about for the year and that is how this episode will begin.

The poems of 2020 reflect a fresh view of the world that was sparked by the New Year's message.  2017 was clearly a more challenging time, similar to 2025.

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In August 2025 my wife, daughter & Son-in-law drove and lived in an RV as we travelled around iceland for 10 days - now hear what we experienced!  You can SEE some of what we saw on my website, and more completely in my book available as a pdf or printed at

https://www.blurb.com/b/12547137-iceland-travelling-the-ring-road

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These poems give a small flavor of our 3 week journey through Japan, which followed my walk on the Kumano Kodo.  In my photo book, Exploring Japan, the themes are Transportation, Food, Gardens, Shrines and Temples and unique cultural experiences like Sumo wrestling, Taiko drumming, a zen monk, making Mochi and Mulberry paper.  These poems, some in the form of WAKAs, follow these themes.

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