Moments Between Cities, a book of poems

Not all, but many of my earlier books are now out of print in paperback, but they can be found as E-books readable on all of the online formats. 

Here is a link to the Kindle of my first poetry collection, Moments Between Cities, first published in paperback 26 years ago. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moments-Between-Cities-John-Flynn-ebook/dp/B008B0OK2U

The cover of the E-book edition features one of my photos of a favorite haunt from the days when I tooted around Worcester as a teenager. I believe it's still there on Southbridge Street, at least I hope it is.

This book was originally published in 1997 as a paperback from the Edwin Mellon Press. In 1998, it earned an award from the US Peace Corps as the best book of poems written that year by a returned volunteer. 

Here's a link to it via my Amazon author's page

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Flynn/e/B008Y14J68/ref=aufs_dp_mata_dsk

Shown below is the paperback cover. 

Lastly, enjoy this one poem, Reticence In Millbury, from the collection. 

I have chosen to share it because Richard Wilbur, who I'd 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, breeding and generosity. A perfectionist. Long before he wrote to me, I was fortunate enough to hear him give a public reading in Vermont. I'll never forget how alive he was, how he radiated light and good humor. And I will never forget his voice, the calm in it, as he read "Love Calls Us To The Things Of This World" in its entirety.

As a teacher, I remembered him often when I was tired, and students were asking for more of my time, more support or perhaps a letter of reference. I remembered him and 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