Published in 1997, this out-of-print paperback from Edwin Mellon Press, as seen above, earned an award in 1998 from the US Peace Corps as the best book of poems written that year by a returned volunteer. https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/books/awards/poetry/
It remains available as an E-book, as seen below.
Find it here at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moments-Between-Cities-John-Flynn-ebook/dp/B008B0OK2U
Or here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Flynn/e/B008Y14J68/ref=aufs_dp_mata_dsk
The E-book cover features a photo of mine of a favorite haunt from boyhood days. Is it still there? I wonder.
Lastly, this poem from the collection, Reticence In Millbury, is one I've chosen because Richard Wilbur, who I sent the collection to on the recommondation of Leo Connellan, wrote back to me -- a lovely hand-written missive -- saying how much he liked the book, and this particular poem was his favorite of the bunch.
That one letter from him, such an elegant giant of a poet at the time, provided inspiration and encouragement that kept me going for many years. Mr. Wilbur was not only an exceptional poet, but a man of erudition, kindness and generosity.
Long before he wrote to me, I was fortunate to hear him give a public reading in Vermont. How alive he was, how he radiated light and humor. I'll never forget the calmness in his voice as he read "Love Calls Us To The Things Of This World" in its entirety.
As a teacher, I remembered him often when tired, and students were asking for more of my time, demanding more support, yet another letter of reference. I wasn't stingy. I did my best to serve those students as he, with one small gesture, had served me.
RETICENCE IN MILLBURY
There was an OM on a marquee downtown.
I gave it a minute of my time.
Again too long a sojourn
to the latest trend in salvation
so I stayed home,
and kept the lights off.
Memory's laxative, another drink
blurring my sea legs. Divorce,
ambition, travel--this the trio
I pinned to a butterfly in the den.
When had I ever been more than who I was?
I gave this question two minutes of my time.
It took five minutes to mix a martini.
Lingering ebb of cravings that once ruled me.
No OM need be explained,
the joy of avoidance
is still a bargain
among all these adjustments
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