Today Rattle Poetry featured a poem of mine that I wish I never had to write. I’ll discuss it today on RattleCast, at noon. You can find the show here: https://www.youtube.com/c/rattlepoetry. Here is the poem: https://www.rattle.com/the-last-day-of-november-by-jack-ridl/
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RIDL.COM 
Oh the despair- bless you, Jack
Bless, YOU, cherished Linda!
Jack, I’m sorry that you had to write this poem, too. But it is sadly beautiful. Thanks.
Don Cellini http://www.doncellini.com
How good to connect with good you, Don, even if sadly.
Yes, let’s dare a little sentimentality, or sentiment at least. Thanks for this one, Jack.
Always appreciated Mary Ruefle’s essay about the rather ubiquitous misunderstanding of sentimental. Took a risk in using dissonant rhythms at certain times in this one. So good to hear from you, and I sure hope your holidays are dappled with delight.
I am in tears….tears of sorrow & tears of anger. How in the hell do we allow this to keep happening?
I don’ know. But the good souls–you–feel as you do.
Thanks, dear Susan. I hope your holidays are
sprinkled with good times.
Oh, Jack…..oh, oh, oh! You’ve said it all.
Your great good heart is in every “oh”
Love
Well, that’s amazing. Wish you didn’t have to write it. Writer | Editor | Researcher https://www.secondwavemedia.com/lakeshore/authors/Kathleen_Schenck.aspx
Me, too.
Wishing you and Mike the championship!!!
I am supposing you have no objection to this going (as a web address) to some friends and, perhaps, to 36 students who are enduring my class to its final day and assignment. Some things matter more than others. Joe
Honored, Joe. Very very much. And my admiration is high as the Washington Monument that you
continue teaching. So glad for your lucky students that you are!
Thank you. So much.
Warm thanks to both of you. –Jane ________________________________
Many many thanks!!!!
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Powerful is not a powerful enough word for this poem. Breathtaking. Breath taking. It made me gasp. I wish you didn’t have to write it either, but I’m glad you did.
Betsy, thank you so very much. And what a moving way to write your response.
Please know how much I appreciate it.
Dear Jack, I listened first. Then David and I listened and read along together. Your poem helps us (and others) drain a painful abscess after such a tragedy. Yet we are each still left to tend the wound in the aftermath. One kindness at a time to anyone who crosses our path is all that comes to heart and mind this morning. Sending peace and love.
Susan, I am so so very moved by your response. The wound we have and to try to
imagine that of those there is not possible. 25 years of this and still nothing.
One kindness at a time. Yes, oh yes.
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Jack, thank you for this poem that you did want to write. You hit the essence of this ongoing angst from the violence in our country. I so appreciate your work.
When, oh when will they ever learn? Thank you for the compassion and
kindness that wanders through out your comments.
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Dear Jack, Wow. That poem knocked me out. It’s stunning in its power, its insight, its wisdom. Hearing you read it just made it moreso. Thank you, my friend.
This morning I looked at two politicians’ family Christmas greetings on Huff Post: both posted Holiday pictures with every damned member of the family holding a gun. It sickened me. I wondered how they could be so hard, so shallow, so inhumane–so Christian???–especially considering what happened at Oxford High School.
Your poem humanizes us. Reminds us of the divine image we’re created with. Thank you, my friend.
I’ve wondered if you’d seen my previous email. I’d love to visit you, but only if it’s safe and if it works. Next Friday, the 10th, at 3:30. If it doesn’t we’ll just look ahead. I plan to ZOOM with the group on Thursday, the 9th. Thanks for inviting me.
More importantly, thanks for being the prophetic, wise voice that you are. And friend. That especially.
Yours, Mark
Your remarkable and humbling response, my friend, leaps out from behind the screen.
My stomach curls at those politicians. Those poor children. Did they have a say in the
photograph???? See you Friday! Glad, very glad.
Jack, I wish you didn’t have to write your very tragic poem. When will guns be outlawed and schools be safe again?
Best to you and yours , Joanie
Yes, when? Oh when??
Be safe.
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Thank you, Jack. The killings have sparked so much copycat behavior in schools as well. So many disturbed and unhappy kids. It makes me want to go back and talk to our students. It must have been brewing for some time. The school had choices they could have made, and the parents were totally out of line to have provided a gun! It is all so horribly sad.
Sent from my iPhone
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Amen, my Friend, Amen. And “horribly” sad is so unfortunately accurate.
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Stark. I passed it on – – – what can one do but mourn.
Here – attached – is a column I’m thinking of submitting for my January column. Thoughts?
Thank you, Tim, for passing it on. And yes, we mourn.
Alas, comments section doesn’t take attachments.
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Phew. With its several startlements, this poem breaks open my shielded soul. Love spoken to numbing violence. And, I can’t help but hear “lamb’s wool” without also hearing “the Lamb — that was slain.” Thank you Jack for daring this poem.
Gayle, what a deeply moving response. Thank ye. And I so appreciate your
acute noting of the use of lamb’s wool. Yes, intentional. And I also appreciate
your saying “daring.” For me it was, even in its dissonant rhythms.
Oh Jack…so glad you sent this. I don’t always get Rattle for some reason. Oh Jack…this is the way to remember…lest we forget. The way to tell the story hoping hoping one day the stories/poems will save us. Save our children.
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Thank you for this, and the many periodic poems. It was mentioned in the comments of today’s NYTimes article.
During the pandemic last summer my daughter asked to learn knitting, and I learned online and taught us both. She lost interest, but I was delighted by it and knit constantly now. I’m impressed that your wife is so adept.
Regards, Nathanael Buckley 202-413-7554
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Dear Jack,
Lee and I listened to you read this poem, and we were both stunned. I am again grateful for your ability to help us navigate the confusion and anger, to honor the sorrow and help bind open wounds inflicted so senselessly. Your poem…so personal…so panoramic. Thank you.