Happy 90th birthday to the extraordinary & indefatigable Grace Cavalieri, an inspiration to all who know her. Poet, playwright, painter, and long-time host of “The Poet and the Poem” interview program from the Library of Congress, Grace deserves all the love she asks for.
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This Poem Is Asking for Your Love
This poem is not usually like this
I don’t know what came over it
It’s mostly violet under the sun
with a large yellow parasol and a pond
with a center that never freezes
I swear I had no idea
I’m so used to trees of hearts and
cherries within its branches
I can’t imagine
what woke this poem up
with a truth I never wanted
It called out the tower window and said
I was alone
That in itself is a morbid lie
I have long shadows in Autumn and clouds
anytime there is a sky
In fact everything was going so well until
this poem wanted to undress me
and bring back my love
and hold me close and rub
my forehead when I had fever
It had no idea what trouble could come
from this so I wrote it
then I ran from it
now I can erase it
to show I never needed it after all
because don’t you know, Poem,
if you have to ask for something
it’s no gift.
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Autobiography, mixed media, by Grace Cavalieri
Once my teacher, now my friend, always my inspiration.
Posted by: Geoffrey Himes | October 03, 2022 at 09:04 AM
Grace is a blessing to poetry and the world.
Posted by: Laura L Orem | October 03, 2022 at 09:52 AM
Terence, giver of good, I give up Italian citizenship and, SUDDENLY I AM IRISH, because I love you. In every language, I thank you.
Posted by: Grace Cavalieri | October 03, 2022 at 09:53 AM
happy birthday! many happy returns and many more poems!
Posted by: dan gutstein | October 03, 2022 at 10:01 AM
Never erase this poem, Grace. Not from your blackboard of favorites, semi-favorites, and downright delectables. That would be an adverse verse reaction. Your sage, soulful, altogether glistening "The Poem Is Asking for Your Love" is now etched in my mind. And your two-line coda will serve as a reminder of what we all need to hear and heed as we age. Thank you, Terence, for giving us this exceptional gift, defined by no asking, on Grace's 90th birthday. Bravissima, Grace!
Posted by: Dr. Earle Hitchner | October 03, 2022 at 10:36 AM
Happy Birthday, Grace! I learn from you always, and I always love you.
Posted by: Beth J. | October 03, 2022 at 10:50 AM
Happy Birthday, Grace!
Posted by: Denise Duhamel | October 03, 2022 at 10:54 AM
Happy, happy birthday, Grace! Here's in celebration of your energy, your dedication, your love of life and poetry and poets. You asked so we are giving you back our love. Minnie Bruce
Posted by: Minnie Bruce Pratt | October 03, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Earle: Thanks for the comment.
Posted by: Terence Winch | October 03, 2022 at 11:04 AM
Oh grace you most timeless of poetry deities — happ birthday and all days. Sent With love and awe!
Posted by: Clarinda | October 03, 2022 at 11:57 AM
Happy happy birthday, Grace!!! Keep being timeless, my dear!
Posted by: Evie Shockley | October 03, 2022 at 12:06 PM
Happy birthday to our treasure, dearest Grace Cavalieri, illustrious daughter of Trenton, NJ! Thank you from the heart for all the good you do.
Posted by: Emily Fragos | October 03, 2022 at 12:19 PM
humbled and awed by the depth and breadth of your generosity, your accomplishments, and your intense commitment to poetry, and only wish i could age as gracefully and vibrantly as you
Posted by: lally | October 03, 2022 at 04:35 PM
Happiest of birthdays to a remarkable woman!
Posted by: Abbie Mulvihill | October 03, 2022 at 04:53 PM
Happiest of birthdays Grace! Thank you Terence for sharing this important day with us.
Posted by: Stacey | October 03, 2022 at 04:59 PM
Happy birthday to Grace, full of grace!
Posted by: David Lehman | October 03, 2022 at 06:10 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grace-- who is herself a wonderful present to poetry and poets.
Posted by: Robert Pinsky | October 03, 2022 at 06:10 PM
For Grace on Her Entry into the Nonagenarian Halls
You weathered the trials and long miles,
Joined the sainted few of decade nine,
Delay a bit the sacred isles,
Share another cup of Hafez’s wine.
We watch with joy your wings unfold,
Gossamer poems dissolve in light,
Treating lessons learned, stories told,
Soaring and soaring lost in flight.
Wrap the years round the walking staff,
Take a firm hand and lead before,
As you’ve always done with a laugh,
Life is brief, neither less nor more.
Posted by: Kyril Calsoyas | October 08, 2022 at 01:45 PM
I feel your generous spirit, Grace, always present in your poems! Happy Birthday to you! Sending you all best wishes!
Posted by: Jiwon Choi | October 09, 2022 at 12:54 PM
I am so happy. Rich with gratitude.90 rocks already.
Posted by: Grace Cavalieri | October 09, 2022 at 03:12 PM