Poet, Songwriter, Artist
Friends, in thinking of other posts that may be enjoyable for you and myself, I’ve decided to offer up an Album of the Week for those whose love for song runs as deep as my own.
This weeks pick is Idiot Prayer by Nick Cave. Cave’s songs are beautifully haunting and his lyrics are of a poetic quality known only to the masters of the craft. Idiot Prayer is now available on all streaming services as well as available wherever music is sold. Enjoy!
Friends, I’m thrilled to announce the release of Soon, A New Day, the new poetry anthology from Quillkeepers Press. The anthology features new poems from me, along with the brilliant work of many others. It’s an honor to be included. I’ve linked the cover art above if interested in purchasing a copy for yourself!
-Brandon
A short, newer free verse poem that arrived fully realized while driving my daughters to school. I hope you enjoy it!
Gift:
I live not for risk
or adrenal rush
not for company men
or brass rings
I live for the song
For that perfect line
of a poem
where the muse rips
open the box of mystery
like a Christmas morning gift,
raises it to me smiling and says:
For you, the world
-Brandon White
Another recently unearthed free verse poem, written a few months after my father’s passing. I was inspired to write about the comfort we find in art during times of uncertainty and pain. I’m happy it’s found a place.
Ghost Rider:
You’ve been the ghost
in the seat next to me
for more miles
than I can count.
Your voice rises
from the speakers
to illuminate
the road ahead,
to make yourself known
once more.
God knows
I could use the company.
We’ve never had much use
for conversation,
so let’s fill the air
with a song once more
and build a fire
by the roadside.
I’ll stretch this body out
and turn my eyes
to the western stars.
-Brandon White
I hadn’t thought about this free verse poem in a while. Before the pandemic, one of my favorite places to write was a restaurant booth or in a coffeehouse somewhere- surrounded by lives being lived and the hustle of the day. The electric air thick with poetry.
Please, come back.
The Musings of a Future Yelper:
They’ve never been able to
maintain a restaurant at this location,
and many have tried.
It’s not a bad spot, either.
Downtown, right on the avenue,
the best bars within walking distance.
I’ve sampled every establishment
that attempts to put roots down here.
They’ve all been decent enough.
For whatever reason,
the people won’t come.
Sushi, Burgers, Piano Bar, it makes no difference.
I’ve sampled cuisine
from four different countries
and sat in the same shitty booth each time.
Outside, the rain falls steadily.
It’ll be this way for the next several days, and I’m sad
my daughter might not get her last train ride of the season.
Three men enter the restaurant
and sit directly
in my line of sight.
Above me, a TV plays sports highlights
and when they watch, it feels like
they’re staring.
Maybe they are?
I’ve reached that elusive point in life
where it makes no difference.
The burger and fries
are too salty—
what a shame.
My waitress asks how everything tastes,
and I lie to make her feel better.
She smiles her crooked smile and fixes her peroxide-blonde hair.
I ask for my ticket
and she’s out of sight again.
I begin to review my latest poem.
I’m writing about food a lot lately.
I’ll be yelping before
you know it.
Outside, the rain pours on,
gathering into puddles
and flowing down the drain.
Like all the wasted minutes
in a life.
-Brandon White
A recent free verse poem.
Realization:
I've often wondered why
you entered my orbit.
A test?
A threat?
Perhaps both?
You now exist
as a ghost, a memory,
something tragic.
That's it, isn't it?
Something tragic
to haunt the mind,
the heart,
the poem.
-Brandon White
I hope you’ve all had a great week! I’m a bit under the weather this morning, but nothing some rest and meds won’t fix. Here’s a newer, free verse poem that I thought you might enjoy.
Jagged:
I love you
in fifteen-second bursts
that feel like dreams
to those of us who
remember how
Do you know
that kind of longing?
The kind
That sets souls
to searching
the pages of books
and unfamiliar hands?
Those of us who do
almost always return
empty-handed
Just as I am now, here,
in the long shadow
of your love
-Brandon White
In a year of incredible uncertainty, one of the few things that brought peace was the reading and writing of poetry. I released my first book of poems, The Year that Stole the Light Away, completed the manuscript for its follow-up (coming soon), and read everything I could get my hands on.
I decided to compile a list of my 10 favorite reads of 2020 as I believe they would be greatly enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the craft. I’ll provide the cover art with links to purchase. I won’t try and explain these collections, as I don’t believe in such things. They stand on their own, ready for you to discover what makes each uniquely powerful. Please note, not all of these were released in 2020 and they appear in no particular order! Enjoy!
Lean Against This Late Hour – Garous Abdolmalekian
For the Love of Endings – Ben Purkert
Expulsion – Emily Perkovich
Homie – Danez Smith
Fallen Star Rising – Tara Caribou
Be With – Forrest Gander
Night Sky With Exit Wounds – Ocean Vuong
Martyrs of a Certain Belief – Anthony Desmond
The Branch Will Not Break – James Wright
How Beautiful the Beloved – Gregory Orr
Promises:
Remember this moment
when the old life
calls to you again.
Remember your brokenness,
and the promises
you made in the dark.
Remember the final breath
and the frantic heartbeat
under your hand.
Remember how quickly
a life, with all its complexity,
can vanish.
-Brandon White
A short, free verse poem that arrived this morning.
Sunrise:
In a perfect world,
we would regard every
firey morning sky as miraculous,
and every promise made
would be holy
-Brandon White
Brandon White 