Page 4 - Reflectoem

inaugural

Jack Foley has published 17 books
of poetry, 5 books of criticism, a
F A T H E R T O S O N book of stories, and a 1300-page
“chronoencyclopedia,” Visions &
Affiliations: California Poetry
1940-2005.
He became well known through
his multi-voiced performances
with his late wife, Adelle and now
J A C K F O L E Y performs with Sangye Land; he
presented
has
on
poetry
Northern California radio station
KPFA since 1988

I spoke to my son of the rebirth
of progressive political thought. I spoke to my son
of possibility. I spoke to him
of the hope for a more just, more loving
world, of a new birth of the best aspects
of the 1960s—so easily parodied or denied.
I spoke to my son of a world
my generation failed to give him
and which I would have wished for him
and his loving wife. I do not know
what today will bring, perhaps a failure
of our hopes, but hope is
the sweet air in our lungs.
I spoke to my son of the need for love