I start every writing day by

4/29/09 -- I start every writing day by reading a poem or two. It's like taking a dip in pure language, which is enough in itself. But then mix in the wonderful layers of meaning a great poem can convey, and the experience is multiplied by ten. Here's one of my recent favorites from Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac" aired daily on public radio. It's called Teaching Poetry to Third Graders Click the title and enjoy.