Courting Disaster of Biblical Proportion by Joan Wiese Johannes

Joan Wiese Johannes is retired from a rewarding and challenging career as an English teacher. The author of several poetry collections, she also composes music for Native American-style flute and includes it with her poetry readings. Joan believes that Thornton Wilder was right when he wrote that "only poets and saints truly appreciate life while they are living it." Hardly a saint, Joan appreciates the life she shares with her poet/artist husband, Jeffrey, in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. Learn more about her at http://bookthatpoet.com/poets/johannes.html.

Ginny C.:
Wonderful imagery, fine ending...this is a memorable poem.
Posted 02/28/2011 04:06 PM

Linda Lee (Konichek):
Love this image of a cat; they do think the world was created for them, and perhaps they're not wrong!
Posted 02/28/2011 02:41 PM

bfaybooks:
Love your insightful and quirky sense of humor and association!
Posted 02/28/2011 12:10 PM

dotief@comcast.net:
This poem has so many fantastic images--the cheesecake burning itself up, the smells of vanilla and blackened butter, the calico cat stretched on the center rack of the still-warm oven and the faithful Shadrack, Meshak and Abednego. I love them all, and I love how this poem pulls them together.
Posted 02/28/2011 08:21 AM

mimi:
beautiful, Joan! so full of sights, sounds and smells as well as truth about cats!
Posted 02/28/2011 08:15 AM

jeanie:
love this joan! i love cats, and ours go on/in the dryer and on top of the stove...but never IN the oven. but probably because they've never had the opportunity. did you get a pic?
Posted 02/28/2011 07:11 AM

Phyllis Beckman:
I don't even like cats, but I love this poem....and might I add "the broken" to Thornton Wilder's list of those who "truly appreciate life while they are living it?" Just wondering.
Posted 02/28/2011 06:39 AM