by Richard Subber | Nov 12, 2026 | Human Nature, My poetry, Poetry, Reflections
Keeping one eye on the ducks…
An historical society docent of course doesn’t mind talking about the same stuff with every tour group, and the groups with kids reliably ask the old familiar questions.
The eager 3rd graders making the pilgrimage to the historic district along the Charles River in Natick, MA, prove the point. Sometimes it’s not easy to encourage a sensible understanding of the context of “375 years ago,” but the kids are all too ready to engage in such thinking in their own terms.
In a few years maybe they’ll be ready to expand that thinking just a bit:
Another 3rd grade tour
Well, yes, Anna, this is the same river
the Natick Indians knew in 1651,
it was here, they fished in it,
and, yes, they saw ducks like those
on the other bank over there,
and, no, it’s not too deep,
but, here’s another way to look at it:
the river is new today,
it’s filled with new rain,
it carries a different twig over the dam,
it swirls new bubbles
from the fish we didn’t quite see,
the river has forgotten the feel of a canoe,
forgotten how to turn the mill wheel,
it has learned to ignore
the ever louder sounds that crowd the air,
and it sniffs in surprise
each time new toes are dipped in its currents,
and those ducks on the other bank
are new this year, too.
June 17, 2017
My poem “Another 3rd grade tour” was published in my first collection of 59 poems, Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups.
You can buy it on Amazon (paperback and Kindle),
or get it free in Kindle Unlimited, search for “Richard Carl Subber”
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review: A Cold Welcome
The culprit was global cooling,
500 years ago…
by Sam White
–
Empyrean: new poems with 57 free verse poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
by Richard Subber | Nov 7, 2026 | My poetry, Poetry, Reflections
the in-between time…
Interlude
I dither, partly knowing
that the change advances slowly,
in languid tempo,
shuffling images dulled
by the absence of the sun,
partly knowing that an advent
takes good time
and does not give it back,
partly knowing that the season
brings no freshness,
no joy that had been lost,
partly knowing that bald winter
is the portent of the scattering leaves…
I am content to do the waiting.
October 24, 2018
My poem “Interlude” was published in my fourth collection of 55 poems, As with another eye: Poems of exactitude. You can buy it on Amazon (paperback and Kindle), or get it free in Kindle Unlimited, click here
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review: “The Gentle Boy”
The Puritans had a dark side…
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
–
In high meadows: poems abide with 60 free verse poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
by Richard Subber | Nov 1, 2026 | My poetry, Poetry
The Book of Days
The dawn’s early light can be pleasure enough for the whole day.
There are words enough to tell the story of “the temptation of day to come.”
It is my delight to write some of them for your delectation.
Laze…
Dense air obscures the fen for moments more,
a wan style of blue above
is the mute herald of the day,
and now a fuller mist embraces all
and hides the green that waits for light.
The slumbering wetland will not wake, it seems,
will not cease reposing
nor heed the slow alarm of dawn.
September 5, 2018
My poem “Laze…” was published in my third collection of 64 poems, In other words: Poems for your eyes and ears.
You can buy it on Amazon (paperback and Kindle),
or get it free in Kindle Unlimited, search for “Richard Carl Subber”
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review: Lafayette by Harlow Unger
He was a great man. Also rich and lucky.
–
In high meadows: poems abide with 60 free verse poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
by Richard Subber | Oct 27, 2026 | My poetry, Poetry, Reflections
easy to forget…
…now you don’t
It’s easy to think the word,
easy to think it’s a good idea,
so easy to not think
it’s over there, too far,
easy to forget
it wasn’t any closer yesterday,
easy to be less than “perfect,”
yet, easy to think you see it
in the mirror,
it’s easy to think you see it now…
August 30. 2026
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review:
Great Tales of Terror
and the Supernatural
something horrifying for everyone…
–
Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups with 59 free verse and haiku poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
by Richard Subber | Oct 20, 2026 | My poetry, Poetry, Reflections
such tiny sounds…
walking along…
walking alone…
moving is pretty much
all there is,
the breathing, of course,
more steps to take,
the all is so close,
the wide fills the space,
striding has such power,
all thoughts are ahead,
the empty hallway beckons,
a stair is only access
to above or below,
it is no place for stopping,
there is a style of silence
and such tiny sounds
as fade each moment,
each passage is a rite,
and traverse offers turns,
the finish line is barely seen,
the final step is like the others…
this time has not been lonely.
August 23, 2026
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review: Seven Gothic Tales
by Isak Dinesen,
lush and memorable stories…
–
Seeing far: Selected poems with 47 free verse and haiku poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
by Richard Subber | Oct 15, 2026 | My poetry, Poetry
the sea is always there…
O, patient sea…
…wait for me.
I will always return.
I cannot forget the sea.
The constant sea will wait for me.
I will always return.
The breaking sea o’erflows my view,
it tumbles and splashes and glides to me,
I will return to gaze anew.
I will return to face the sea.
O, patient sea,
you need not wait for long for me.
Bethany Beach, DE
September 16, 2008
My poem “O, patient sea…” was published in my first collection of 59 poems, Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups.
You can buy it on Amazon (paperback and Kindle),
or get it free in Kindle Unlimited, search for “Richard Carl Subber”
Published in Whispers, Creative Inspirations, and Northern Stars Magazine
* * * * * *
My poetry. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2026 All rights reserved.
Book review: The Blithedale Romance
by Nathaniel Hawthorne, not his best…
–
In other words: Poems for your eyes and ears with 64 free verse and haiku poems,
and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”
Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.
* * * * * *
