December 17, 2022 - Reading time: ~1 minute

As winter winds do blow, the snowflakes fall and whirl,
Covering all in white, a peaceful sight to hurl;
The wolves awake from slumber and gather round a tree,
Their song begins as silver stars light up the sea.

The singing of their chorus travels on the wind,
A haunting melody that's hard for us to find;
Their howling fills the night, an eerie harmony;
It echoes through the forest and out across the lea.

O'er distant hills they wail until the crack of morn,
And every note they utter warns of winter's scorn;
Our hearts weep with them as we embrace this change,
For snow crowns winter's reign and brings a howl so strange.

It snows, and the wolves howl in this sonnet. I originally titled the sonnet: "A Haunting Harmony in the Night," though changed it some time later to "Winter's Lamet" as I felt it better embodied the emotion I wanted to create here.

The howling of wolves serves as a foreboding reminder of the coming winter, and the song reflects the eerie beauty of that season. In the poem, the speaker is encouraged to welcome the coming of change because of the strange harmony it brings. There's awe and gratitude for nature's influence in this poem.

December 8, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

I wrote this sonnet for my daughter-in-law who has been an active participant in pro-choice movement since her freshman year in college. Her bravery and determination to the cause is an inspiration to me and I wanted to take the chance to put into words what has passed before my eyes. For me, verse is the easiest method to do that so one rainy afternoon I sat down and began writing. The sonnet that you will soon read is the result of that effort. Nobody has the right to make a pregnancy mandatory. The attempt to control a woman's body by actively denying her the right to choose is a reprehensible and violent act and we have to stand our ground if we are going to maintain the right to choose. I hope that you are inspired by it like I am inspired by her.

I used to cower like a mouse, in meek submission I did bow,
For justice seemed so far away and the truth seemed far too slow.
But now I stand up tall, with courage not just talk,
To shout out loud for what's right—my sorrows no longer doth balk.

My voice rings strong and clear above a deafening roar,
A chorus of hope rallying others to join our cause.
The righteous shall never give in—we'll fight 'til we're sore!
And stand up for those who can't demand their rights anymore.

No more empty promises that fade away like smoke;
Our words shall become true action against all kinds of yoke.
We won't sit idly by as inequality continues to choke;
Instead we march ahead for justice in the fairest of strokes.

It's time to be brave and boldly challenge what is wrong;
To speak up against oppression and an unjust status quo.
Justice must prevail if we are ever to truly belong,
So raise your fists with courage—our voices will ring loudly and strong!

This sonnet is an anthem for freedom of expression and a call to arms for those who believe in justice and equality for all.

The narrator relates how they went from passively accepting things as they were to actively mobilizing others to bring about meaningful change. The poem uses strong language to convey the message that one must have courage and strength to stand up for what is right and to demand the rights of those who cannot do so for themselves. In the end, it's an encouraging reminder that we should always keep fighting for justice and that our voices can be powerful tools.

The sonnet's structure—four quatrains followed by a couplet—allows the speaker to emphasize various points in their message. In the first quatrain, the speaker considers how they once acquiesced to wrongdoing out of cowardice, but have since found the strength to fight for what's right. The group unites behind their cause in the face of opposition and holds firm in the second quatrain. Third quatrain insists on taking real steps to combat inequality rather than resting on empty promises; fourth goes further, encouraging people to courageously raise their fists.

The final two lines of the poem restate the importance of making one's voice heard when seeking redress.

December 4, 2022 - Reading time: 2 minutes

Shame of the night, be still and take flight,
Upon wings of steel so strong and light.
The ringing of bells that sing in fright,
As dawn brings forth a new day's light.

Do not let your spirit come undone,
Pray for courage when the stars have gone.
For soon enough you will stand as one,
Ready to face what can't be outrun.

Rise up and soar so high above,
To seek freedom from guilt like a dove.
Release your chains with no more shove,
For shame can never stay aloft.

You must bravely break from life's cage,
No longer bound by sorrow and rage.
Your soul will soar through this age,
Shame of the night on wings of steel.

No matter how difficult it may be, this sonnet urges the reader to free themselves from feelings of shame and guilt. It inspires one to rely on one's own inner fortitude and strength, paving the way for one to soar free on the strength of one's own steel wings.

The first stanza of this sonnet addresses the shame of the night and asks it to be still so that the protagonist can soar on steely wings. The dawning of a new day is represented by a peal of bells, which serves as a symbol of hope for the reader.

A unified front against shame requires prayers for strength, as suggested in the second verse.

In the third verse, the protagonist urges the reader to "Rise up and soar so high above," to find release from their past mistakes and find true love. To free themselves without resorting to violence, they are reminded that shame cannot persist indefinitely.

The poem concludes with a call to bravely throw off the chains of sadness and anger in verse four. Thanks to this, they'll be able to take comfort in knowing they can soar through this age with confidence and pride.