Monday, June 15, 2009

LEADER

LEADER (for J. R.)

Kindness is the renovator –
The walls come tumbling down –
A Jericho defensiveness
Becomes an open town.

A note on linen paper card
With message from a Peer
Who pours out praise in equity
Will help bring Zion here.

(5 June 2009, BYU, Provo, Utah)
Posted by at

5 comments:

Doug P. Baker said...

What an exquisite set of poems that you just posted! I am more than impressed! Absolutely lovely!

In this one your use of the word "Peer" leaves me wondering. I have the feeling that you use it in a technical way that I don't follow. What exactly does the word "Peer" mean when you use it? Is it an LDS word? At the same time, I have a feeling that J. R. knows. It seems likely also a personal reference.

This is the best batch I've heard from you yet! In fact I've read very few, if any, living poets who charm my ear so much.

June 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Cynthia Hallen said...

Thank you, Doug. I could not sleep Sunday night, and then the Insomnia poem came at 3:00 a.m. and then more and more ... In Academia, the word "Peer" is important because our research publications are supposed to be peer-reviewed to substantiate their rigor and relevance.

June 17, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Doug P. Baker said...

Ah, gotcha.

June 17, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Cynthia Hallen said...

By commenting on my poems, you are providing a kind of "peer-review" for which I am grateful. Yesterday a colleague made some astute comments that enabled me to fine-tune a few poems: As You Wish, Insomnia, The Malachi Measure, and the Shiloh Psalm.

June 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Doug P. Baker said...

Could we see your revisions?

June 19, 2009 at 8:32 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)