Posted on by kimhaynesjohnson

Celebrating Living Poets: Misha Collins

As we move through March, here’s a St. Patrick’s Day hat tip to living poet Misha Collins. He’s an actor, a poet, and a lot of other things such as a lifeguard, motorcyclist, and clean eater. I’ve added a link to some more information about his life, below, and I’m using his collection Some things I still can’t tell you to compose a Cento poem from his work. Unfortunately, this book was a divorce announcement – which doesn’t make me happy, but it does show how poetry can be used for so many purposes in our lives. In the peace of a dove on a branch, in the beauty of summer rain steaming off the hot asphalt, and even in the heartbreaking pain of divorce.

You can read more about Misha Collins here.

Used Book Parade

For the first time in three years

yesterday I read a used book

looking just the same

and perfect

and needed to cry for a scene

that that parade of it all might ignite me.

My Cento lines are taken from: Housekeeping; Reread; Alessandra; Way-finding; The Center; Taxi

A sneak peek at poets for days 11-20

16 Replies to “Celebrating Living Poets: Misha Collins”

  1. I’d never read Misha Collins but recognize some of the other names in your stack – proof that poetry is for peace, for beauty, for loss, for grief. Your Cento makes me want to check out more of his work!

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    1. Thank you for reading! Yes, I am intrigued by this poet today. He and his high school sweetheart that made others believe in true love and had two children together suddenly split, and the poetry book was the announcement. It makes me sad and though it’s none of my business to feel any sort of way about it since it’s their lived experience, it really resonates with me when someone turns to poetry – for reading AND for writing – to write through the pain and memories. This one does that.

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  2. your title has me thinking that yes, we need to celebrate those poets still alive and working, more! And your Cento had me looking up a poetry form new to me. And that last line, with the phrase “might ignite me”- wow.

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  4. Kim,

    Stop! JK! This is another book I don’t have but want. It’s now in my cart. I need a sneaky way to acquire these books. Ken vets the mail. You’re gonna get me in trouble! Anyway, any post who is an activist is one I’m eager to read. I’m not thinking about the last time I read a used book. I like my books new. I’ll tell you this: The missed book parade I’m marching in is the one with all the poetry books I don’t have but want! Maybe Misha is in the Libby app. I’m gonna find out now!

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    1. Glenda, I’m chuckling – – I have the same weakness. I will often order the “used- like new” copies if available so I can save money on my habit. I want to explore all the state poet laureates AND start a new journey into travel writing – – like The Best American Travel Writing book series (anthology) that comes out each year. Those are the books I’m going after next. Thanks for reading and always being a book buddy – – we may be in the doghouse together with the husbands, but two dogs howling at the moon in unison is better than one.

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  5. I imagine searching through this wonderful stack of poetry books for the perfect lines for your Cento is like mining for gold. I love reading these, and I appreciate all the new poets you have introduced to me.

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  6. Kim, I am in AWE of your poetry collection that is rich in both breadth and depth. While I have not read this post, I am pretty sure it was recommended to me at some point for putting the “pain of divorce” into a perspective. I just ordered it from the library. Thank you again for you words that share and inspire.

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