warmth of a pale light
found as clouds part
rewarded
while seeking the moon
on a cool autumn night
Ken Gierke, The Moons of Autumn, Word Weaving # 1: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse
Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia.
Thank you for listening in.
I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.
The Moons of Autumn: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, edited by Colleen M. Chesebro and JulesPaige is a profound exploration of Japanese and American syllabic poetry. The theme of this journal was influenced by the Harvest, Hunter’s, and Frost moons, which are the names given to the three full moons that transpire during the autumn months. Within the pages of this poetry collection, the diverse mix of syllabic poetry has ignited my desire to explore a poetic journey.
Today, I am delighted that Ken Gierke, whose poetry is featured in “The Moons of Autumn,” has joined me to give voice to his poetry. Welcome to podcast series, “A Poet’s Voice”, which brings words of poetry from across the world to your home.
Glass Awash, Poems by Ken Gierke is published by Spartan Press.
Ken Gierke retired and moved from Western New York to Missouri. Time spent on or near the water has always been important to Ken. In a past life, that meant boating and scuba diving. Today, it means kayaking or walking along a river or stream. It may even mean sitting on a shoreline, writing poetry. Ken finds threefold reward in poetry – reading, writing, and the acceptance of his readers.
I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.
Thank you for joining Ken and me on Tea Toast & Trivia to reflect on the beauty of poetic words.
Thank you, Ken for sharing your insights on how poetry allows us to describe the world around us in unexpected ways. This has been a wonderful conversation.
Listeners you can meet up with Ken on his website, RIVRVLOGR and on Amazon. You are only an internet click away from journeys that enrich the soul.
Click on this link to view Ken’s Poem, Sweet Dreams!
Until next time we meet, dear friends, keep reading and reciting poetry.
Safe travels wherever your adventures lead you.
Tea Toast & Trivia 
27 replies on “Season 5 Episode 6: Ken Gierke on A Poet’s Voice”
What a fabulous interview with Ken, Rebecca! You always ask such excellent questions. Ken is a lovely poet. It was nice to learn some of his back story and how his it all influences his poetry. He’s right about the sense of community at WP. I also agree with his love of syllabic verse vs metered poetry. It all seems so contrived to me too! Thanks again for these lovely interviews. You fill my heart with joy! Many thanks to Don too!
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Thank you for your introduction to Ken, Colleen. Don and I had a wonderful time meeting up with him to discuss his poetic journey. I have his poetry collection, “Glass Awash” and am using his poetry for my daily meditation. Hearing the voice of a poet reading their words energizes me. Ken has a marvelous voice!!
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He does! He introduced me to the gogyohka… I love these collaborations. We all learn so much from each other.
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Now, I know how to pronounce, gogyohka!!! Absolutely – we learn so much from each other.
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LOL! Ken and his Japanese! He teaches us all! 😂
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What a wonderful interview with Ken! One of the best episodes of Tea, Toast, and Trivia that I’ve heard.
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Thank you for your enthusiastic and heartwarming comments, Merril. I am beyond excited that Colleen Chesebro introduced me to Ken and your poetry. Thank you for your support of life-affirming conversations. P.S. I think your TTT interview was very special, too. When poets read their poetry, the emotional nuance comes through clearly and distinctly.
Now, I have Ken’s “Glass Awash” next to your “River Ghosts”.
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You’re welcome, Rebecca. ❤️
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“Beginnings never really end” I really like that statement.
Sweet Dreams works so well as a nursery rhyme. I understand Ken’s comment about rhyme and meter seeming contrived. It always seems like that when I try to write poetry for a prompt or at someone’s urging.
I follow a lot of poets, and they work with some of the prompts Ken mentioned. Now I feel like I understand them better.
Thanks so much, Rebecca for bringing Ken to your podcast. Hearing poetry by the poet is a very special treat.
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Thank you for listening in, Dan and for adding to the conversations. Like you, I have been exploring the idea of prompts in writing, blogging, poetry and journaling. I have tried a couple of prompts in my journaling and found that do do get the mind flowing. I am grateful to Colleen Chesebro for introducing me to Ken through the poetry collection, “The Moons of Autumn.” I am enjoying Ken’s poetry collection “Glass Awash.” I agree – a poet’s voice is very special.
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Good interview and choice of poetry to read. I recognize a few (or more) of them. Happy to see you getting recognition for your work.
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I am delighted that you joined Ken and I today. Thank you for your encouraging comments. Very much appreciated.
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You’re very welcome. Ken is a true gem in the poet community.
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Hi Rebecca, it is lovely to find Ken Gierke featured here. I have ordered his book from Amazon and it will get here eventually. I enjoyed learning more about Ken and his writing and especially about his daughter’s illness. I am so glad she is fine now and her condition is well managed. That gives me hope for my Michael.
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Thank you for listening in and for your lovely comments, Robbie. I apologize for this late response.
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Rebecca, this is a lovely way to meet Ken — and even get to hear his voice. Hugs to you both.
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I am so pleased you listened in to the conversation, Teagan. I agree – hearing the voice of a poet or writer adds emotional nuance to the words. Sending many hugs back on the swiftest of wings.
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A very enjoyable conversation, Rebecca and Ken! It was interesting, Ken, to hear how you started and resumed writing poetry, and to hear about different poetry formats. Also, great to listen to your excellent reciting of some of your excellent poems. Last but not least, I agree that the WordPress community is a wonderful one. 🙂
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Many thanks, Dave for listening in and for your comments. I am so very very sorry that my response has come so late.
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What a wonderful, engaging conversation! It was sheer delight, and I smiled all the way through it. Ken’s insights are profound, and he’s an extremely talented reader of his poems. I enjoyed every single one of them. I particularly appreciated his comments about the WordPress community. I’ve found it to be as welcoming, supportive, and inspirational as he has.
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Liz – you are a wonderful support, encouragement, and friend. Thank you for your comments! Ken has a marvelous voice for reciting and now I’m enjoying his poetry collection “Glass Awash.” This is a poem that was in my meditation this morning:
Wide Awake by Ken Gierke
eyes open,
we conjure visions
to soothe us
in our sleep,
while around us
dreams wait to unfold
next year,
tomorrow,
Now.
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A very insightful poem.
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Thank you for this delightful and educational podcast, I have read it several times. I appreciated getting to know Ken-a truly remarkable person!! Thank you for including a few lines of his poetry, The words were carefully chosen, it was easy to detect, and I was especially happy to see that Don was mentioned and that he was important! ! I found the words. not only very interesting, but I also found new information, I was unaware and glad to be reminded that there are three moons in our autumn season. There is other information of value, but there are numerous comments that confirm that! !
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I am delighted that you enjoyed this podcast, Frances. I knew you would enjoy Ken’s poetry. The next time we meet for coffee, I will bring his book, “Glass Awash” so that we can recite his poetry together!! I, too, did not know that there were three moons in our autumn season. We continue to learn…
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Looking forward to this recitation!!!
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Continue to learn!
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So do I!!!
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