Podcasts started on April 22, 2020. Truthful, humorous and insightful poetry to uplift and brighten your day. Hosted and written by Martin Strasmore. The resounding gongs offer an experience of peace and tranquility. Good poetry can open up the mind and heart to new ways of seeing the world, accepting difficulties and embracing opportunities for transformation. Each episode is intended to support and uplift the world and to renew our respect for each other and nature.
The links below bring you to different locations to listen to these podcasts; The last one at buzzsprout contains transcripts of the poems too!!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poetry-for-now/id1509716743
https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=526373&refid=stpr
https://poetryfornow.buzzsprout.com
- WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION: Martin Strasmore, the host and writer offers a brief bio and reads his poems: Be Your Very Best, TP, Daily Dose, and Does One Ever Know Why? Kassandra Strasmore plays the gong.
These poems are inspired by this extraordinary time we find ourselves in, the opportunity to step out of the daily deluge of news and opinion and a humorous look at one of the strangest fears and behaviors we see. “Does One Ever Know Why?” was written during Martin’s 500 mile walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago.
2. TIME: Philosophical, practical and delightful poems about TIME. The poems in this episode are: Sheltering In Place, When will It End?, When The Time Comes. and “Walking Time” written about Martin’s 200 mile walk on the Coast to Coast path across Northern England.
3. BEING IN NATURE: Being completely present and open to nature’s sounds and sights, gives us a sense of freedom. This can release our minds from any negativity and open our hearts to experience greater peace and inner strength. You will hear poetry, sounds of nature and Kassandra playing her gongs.
To be with the wild things.
To watch them gathering food
Ignoring me sitting silently in my kayak.
The blue heron concentrates
Piercing eyes seeing small fish
Then in a flash it strikes
Success in its long sharp beak.
4. THE JOURNEY: New poems about the different behaviors forced on us to slowdown the spread of the Corona Virus and that has started us on a journey that, despite the pain and suffering, is revealing benefits for people and the environment. And, as usual, there is a lighter side and humor is always helpful. The route this journey will take is up to us. Also includes poems written during Martin’s walking journey on the Camino de Santiago. At the end of this episode there is an invitation to hear a special message on how we can support those in need at this difficult time.
5. LONGING FOR GONGING: Martin introduces Kassandra with a poem, and she then talks about her 5 types of gongs and plays them. The resonating sound of the gongs played together is a relaxing meditation experience, best listened to through good headsets, sitting or lying down.
6. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: In this episode we explore the inner and outer journeys that we, as human beings, are on. Poems include: The Journey of Life; Adventure; Safari Journey; Ode to the Peet Bogs; The Mangrove Tunnel. Also Kassandra plays her gongs. Preparing and creating this episode has been a great opportunity for reflection and only a few of the results are included in this episode.
7. JOY: We all have a simple decision on what to focus our minds on. This episode explores what can happen when we choose to focus on JOY! You will also hear CRYSTAL BOWLS, another type of gong, played by Kassandra. ENJOY! You will hear a limerick, Haikus and other poetic forms.
Some fun videos just created & mentioned in this podcast:
8. NOW IS THE TIME: This is a response to George Floyds murder and systemic racism. It includes a powerful story of Mohamed Ali’s experience 60 years ago in Kentucky and a metaphorical poem: Pilgrims on the Path. It ends with a call to action!
9. NOW IS THE TIME TO CHANGE: Through poetry, this episode starts to answer the questions of how do we change systemic racism, how do we change the culture and how do we ourselves change? Because for real, lasting change we have to change.
10. NOW IS THE TIME: THE TURNING POINT: America is recognizing and starting to address the pain and consequences of systemic racism. This podcast includes a look at the past, through stories, and the future and how each of us can make this a positive Turning Point. Please do not sit back, do your part now!
11. UNITY: This episode focuses on Unity as the way to keep moving forward together to recover and heal the racism and racial injustice addressed in the last 3 episodes, and focused on how we as a country and as individuals, can stop and repair racial injustice and racism.
12. CONNECTION: We are connected to everything in many ways and we don’t always recognize that experience at the time. These poems explore our relationship with the moon, animals, people, our Self and events. At another, deeper, level we have control over how we experience and how we see the world when we connect to our spiritual, inner Self. At the same time we have little control over what the universe has in store for us! 2 poems on these topics are: SURE AS I AM & SET BACKS. Kassandra plays an ancient five beat rhythm on her gongs, towards the end of this podcast.
13. OPEN YOUR EYES: Art, poetry included, has played a role in social and political awareness and change. This episode includes poems related to the Pandemic: Loneliness, Silence and awareness, Reflecting on what people are going through and how the world community is in this together, the power of “wishes”. Also there is RAP song inspired by Hamilton, and a short poem inspired by Rumi; and of course gongs and bells composed and played by Kassandra.
14. HERE AND THERE: At this time, July 2020, traveling out of state is not a great idea – and not even possible to some places in the world. This episode is about: Ichigo Ichie, the art of making the most of every moment by experiencing that each moment is unique, and never repeatable; AND using our minds to remember great travel experiences. The newly written poems are: THIS MORNING; RAINY POND WALK; SUNRISES; TRAVEL; SNOOZE OR SCHMOOZE!
15. LIVING ON PURPOSE: This episode was inspired by the life and death of Congressman John Lewis, and starts to explore on how we too can make our lives more purposeful. There will be more on this topic! After receiving feedback from listeners and friends, you will find two changes from previous podcasts: shorter and easier to digest, and more silence.
16 CELEBRATION: Even though here in America the Covid Pandemic is not slowing down, we cannot sit here and mope. We need to get on with life in the best and safest ways possible, showing respect for ourselves and our communities. So here are some ideas to find ways to celebrate whatever we can!
17. NOW WHAT? The Pandemic continues, Political conventions play out virtually. We get the travel ITCH. So what can we do NOW? Exploring Calusa Indian Mounds, and connecting with our animal neighbors are ways we have found to have safe fun! Still remember to help support people having a hard time making ends meet.
Our new art work is from the talented artist AdamBatliner.com
18. FOOD. This is a light hearted look about baking, shopping, sharing food with neighbors, my grandmother’s breakfast and addressing food insecurity during this Pandemic period.
19. THE EPIC. What Epic story describes our current situation: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter, the Mahabharata?
It is 16th of September, and it’s been an epic 2 weeks of pandemonium in politics, Covid, wild fires and hurricanes that have distracted me from creating uplifting and slightly humorous poetry. With some help from inspiring thinkers and doers I hope my turnaround has come.
20. FOCUS ON GOODNESS. It’s been over 6 months since the Pandemic has been acknowledged, and for many people life has become increasingly difficult. Where you focus your mind creates emotions. Emotions move you to action. now is a good time to refocus, clarify your purpose, use all your talents and find more joy. We hope this podcast helps you move along this path. 2 of the GOOD people featured in a poem are RBG and Mr. Rogers. Poems are: KARMA YOGA, GOODNESS & GOOD PEOPLE, TURTLE MOVING SERVICE!
21. FORGIVENESS. When poetry speaks to me it reveals and uncovers the truth. So I have to honestly write poetry from my heart as well as my mind and reveal what is my truth. Politics and democracy in America are going through a tough time. I want goodness, unity, compassion and morality to win – however for our own peace of mind we can get ready to FORGIVE and get ready to move forward into the future no matter what happens in this cosmic game.
22. THE FABRIC. The Arhuaco people of northern Colombia gave Tenzin Priyadashi, the author of Running Toward Mystery, the gift of strands of agave fiber woven together into a bracelet. This represents the web that we are all part of, with mother earth and each other. The poems explore : How each action, each word has an impact somewhere in this fabric. We cannot wait for Elections to be done, Covid contained and we once again weave a fabric of respect, protection and caring. Lift your spirits like an eagle soaring with the wind, high above the turbulence.
23. HAPPY TRAVELS. Human consciousness is amazing we can choose to be in the past, the present or the future with our memory, our breath, our will and our imagination.
Now in this turbulent time of politics and pandemics, explore how we can Beam ourselves to places of peace and delight, discovery our own Holy places. Please travel with me to some I have found in my travels around our world.
24. BLUE MOON. Especially in these uncertain times we can stay present, keep seeing the perfection and uniqueness of each moment and experience; and use our minds to remind us of good times, and to take us to places where we experience tranquility and clear our minds again. Baba Muktananda, a renowned yoga master, said:”Your mind can be your worst enemy or your best friend.” Poems in this episode are inspired by our recent trip to New Zealand’s Sub-Antartic Islands, Florida’s South West Shore and Grand Cypress Park, and the Blue Moon in October 2020.
25. STORMS PASS. It’s been a stormy period this week for the USA, in different ways. Let’s all be grateful that this contentious time will soon be completely gone, and we can move forward together in harmony. in this episode we explore the stormy parallels between nature and politics.
The time has arrived ….for listening and healing….now we act as one
Red wine uncorked….counting votes almost complete….raise glasses together.
26. GRATITUDE. We seem to be living in a world of politically driven illusions. A democratically defeated president and his devoted followers continue the hypocritical illusion that he really won, because this time the election was crooked, (of course, it was not so in 2016). Also one quarter of a million deaths by Covid -19 seem to be ignored, or even denied by many.
I am grateful for the reality and beauty of our natural world where I can have a respite, feeling content and peaceful, and away from the “meshugaas”or craziness of this situation.
27. COURAGE Courage has been on my mind as during the last week or so, this country has seen integrity and moral courage on the part of those state officials responsible for certifying the election results, under political pressure; and with the surging wave of Covid infections across much of the country, health professionals have served selflessly and with courage. Over 20,000 have died from Covid, worldwide.
COURAGE is derived from the french “coeur” or heart. These poems look at overcoming fear, where fear comes from; Moments of personal courage, decisions that each of us might make; following our heart.
Also TAKE A STEP honors Stan Edelson, a playwright, director, teacher and social activist from Cambridge Mass, whom I knew and worked with briefly in the mid 1970’s. He died in October 2020, 94 years old.
28. CELEBRATION OF LIGHT On December the 21st, the winter solstice arrives here in the Northern Hemisphere, lengthening days and shortening nights. In December Hanukkah and Christmas are religious celebrations full of light. Then we can get ready to celebrate the coming of 2021, a new year. Let’s consider every hour and every day a celebration too.
The music in this episode was recorded informally in May 2019 in Tuscany and Umbria, Italy. The final music celebrates Hanukkah.
29. HELLO 2021 Welcome to belated episode 29. Since Christmas 2020 I have felt in a negative creative hole, a black hole, as if in the calm before an unknown storm – now I know why. 2021 is a turning point in many ways. This episode takes us from 2020 through the events of January 6th, 2021 to an optimistic view of 2021.
30. ONCE UPON A TIME This podcast has become a journal of a tumultuous time in human history. So I choose my words very carefully to reflect my reality, my vision and my hopes in ways that uplift and enlighten. The poems here tell stories and I request that you start to create your own story for 2021.
I also discovered a way to invite you into different views of the world and places I treasure in the poem: THE INVITATION. Also I am reminded of the power of Ichigo Ichie, from an earlier episode. And finally I realize that we live in a Subscription world and Life itself is a subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/7358764
31. CLEANING UP These poems are about cleaning up our lives, our email, our “ToDo” lists and perhaps even National Politics.
President Biden has been in the White House 7 days and he is cleaning up.
Let’s take it one small step at a time! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/7560940
32. TRAVELING MEMORIES Inspired by the poet Billy Collins, Martin’s poems share experiences from walking in Iceland, exploring exciting European Cities, Bhutan and finally Nepal in 1978, when it was relatively free of tourism. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/7718362
33. LET IT BE (from February 19, 2021) In the last 11 days we have celebrated Valentines day and “NEW Presidents Day” and completed the second impeachment trial of the 45th President and in February 1964 the Beatles first landed in America!
In this episode we experience nature’s beauty, we celebrate the country moving forward in new directions, and ponder how we can understand each other better and move on without hanging on to negativity while still learning and not being dragged behind a “farting camel” – as in Hafiz’s poem – Cast all your votes for dancing. . Happy Valentine’s day. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/episodes/7966594
34. REVEALING A TRUTH This episode started being about finding the truth, the reason for being in this human body, but as life evolved and our water heater leaked, a new story sprang up – so this episode recognizes that physical bodies and the things we collect will all be unimportant in the end.
You will also find out a little about “stamp collecting” and more! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/8101926
35, WAKING UP In the last year over half 1 million Americans have died from Covid This is more than American service people died in all the wars since 1900. We can celebrate the power of science, but we have nothing to celebrate regarding the power of humanity to protect our fellow human beings, our precious earth and it’s biodiversity.
LET’S WAKE UP to this Global reality and take action! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/8159529
35. SEE SAW: Do you remember when as a child you played on a seesaw, shooting up high and coming down with a thump absorbing the shock with your bent legs. It is Spring 2021 and these poems reflect my personal and our communal seesawing experience of the last few months.
The poems are about: the Covid Tipping Point; Our most powerful fears; Aging: Zooming; Ups & Downs of life; Not quite saying goodbye!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032811/8249926
THAT IS IT FOR SEASON 1 – SEE THE NEW PAGE FOR SEASON 2