Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time got a bad case of the Twisties last week and withdrew from most events at the Tokyo Olympics. In the team press conference right after she announced her plans, she said she needed to focus on her mindfulness. I think she speaks for everyone who survived the… Continue reading Simone Biles Mindfulness Rabbit Hole
Lemmings, Penguins, and Walruses Reviewed
My book group has been reading John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed. Today we discussed the chapter on the opening of the film Penguins of Madagascar. As we were talking, I realized that nature documentaries and the way they are edited for dramatic effect, often at the expense of scientific accuracy, may be the most quintessential… Continue reading Lemmings, Penguins, and Walruses Reviewed
The ecology of mass shootings
I've been writing lately about connections between anthropocentrism, roadkilled animals, and violence. I've found some interesting material, including this timely piece. In March 2019 after the Christchurch mosque shooting, Rebecca Solnit wrote in an essay for the Guardian: I asked Hoda Baraka, who is both Muslim and 350.org’s global communications director, how it all looked… Continue reading The ecology of mass shootings
Religious Bibliography of William Stafford
I just compiled a bibliography of works by and related to William Stafford regarding religion and spirituality. Whether or not we see William Stafford as a religious poet, it can't be ignored that he wrote a lot about it, and that many readers turn to his work when thinking of religious and spiritual themes. View the… Continue reading Religious Bibliography of William Stafford
Poetry Reading, March 30 in Richmond, Indiana
Come hear poetry and stories from Jennie Kiffmeyer, Travis Poling, and Susan Yanos at 1:30pm on Saturday March 30, 2019 at Two Sisters Books & More in Richmond, Indiana
The Pilgrimage of Just Peace in the Poetry of William Stafford
On 29 October 2015, I was invited to give a talk at the Bethany Theological Seminary Presidential Forum on the theme of pilgrimage. I decided to take the opportunity to discuss Stafford again, but in a way that isn't always thought about. Here are my remarks: William Stafford, twentieth century American poet, was a conscientious… Continue reading The Pilgrimage of Just Peace in the Poetry of William Stafford
I’m 40 Today
I'm 40 today. Not exactly sure what that means. There's no great clarity after four decades except that I’ve gotta keep doing this writing thing.
I Love to Write the Story: How I Became a Writer & a Teacher
In the Christian gospel of Mark, there is a story of Jesus healing a child “possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech” and “throws him to the ground.” This story of Jesus healing a child is, in many ways, my own story. When I was one year old, I had ear infections,… Continue reading I Love to Write the Story: How I Became a Writer & a Teacher
Don’t be a Writer, Just Write
William Stafford once wrote, “My aim is not to be a writer, but to write” (from the book Sound of the Ax). I’ve thought of myself as a writer for much of my life. The tricky part is how to make writing, actually writing, the first priority of my life. Last week, I went on… Continue reading Don’t be a Writer, Just Write
My first solo exhibit “From Within: Photographs 2015-2018”
My first solo photography exhibit is hanging at Manchester University in Northern Indiana. It includes fourteen images, many of which are on my Photography page. You can see it on the second floor of the Academic Center until January 2019. My artist statement and bio for the show are available here.
Travis Poling 