Thank you for this beautiful sensitive poem.

The lump is still in my throat after having read this poem. I'm going to own THE BLESSING, but right now I'm going to call my son. Thank you.

This is fantastic. I love Richard Jones' poems. I'm reading The Blessing right now and studying him for Jack Grapes' Method Writing, and I'm blown away. I'm going to write a poetry book called Mr. Jones and Me namesake of the Counting Crows famous song and hope that by some grace of God that his brilliance will spill over onto the pages of my book. By the way, adept parallel parking is just about the highest compliment anyone can receive. Compassion, exuberance, and love get waylaid by parallel parking every time.

In the ordinary he touches us, one of my favorite poets.

Richard Jones' poetry is at first glance simple, he uses every day language. As you read it the words hold you, the deeper layers reveal themselves and you become a life long fan.

moved to tears this morning by this poem. and that is very good. not as good as a mismatched sock drawer, but i already have one of those i keep hidden in my closet. so i'll take this poem. this morning. and be grateful for Richard Jones.

What a beautiful poem. Tears pricked my eyes at,

He’ll tell you — and it’s true —
he prefers the green of your eyes
to all the green life
of heaven and earth.

Just beautiful.

stunning, richard…thank you from all the green life on heaven and earth. poems like this keep our fingers on the pulse of the heartbeat of life. again and again thank you. what a delightful way to start my day.

Richard Jones knows how to cut to the soul of life and leave us wanting more. Please continue to post his work. _

This is my introduction to Richard Jones and I am anxious to dig into more. Of to find the Blessing!!!

lucky me to be already familiar with this poem
so my smile was huge when i saw the title on the masthead
because i love this poem so much.
and the smile, at least the upturned corners of my mouth,
managed to still be there enough by the end of the poem
to catch the tears that this poem
never fails to bring.

Sitting here with two dogs across my lap, a cup of coffee and this poem in my heart. The day can't get much better.
Richard Jones imbues his words with such love and sweetness.
Thanks for sharing it and for such fine choices each week.

It bugs me that this writer's books aren't easy to find. To buy, you'd probably have to get it from Amazon,and that's good, but hey, they oughta be teaching RJ in schools, he's fantastic!

Wonderful poem! Such deep love rendered simply and vibrantly. Thanks for this — Richard for the poem, Jack for introducing me to Richard's work.

A layered poem that stays in my heart. Thx for publishing it.

Adore it; i'm a follower now!

I wish I could express how affecting this Richard Jones poem is for me. Maybe it's enough to say that it could not have found a straighter line to the absolute center of my heart. Publishing work like this is important for all of us. thank you so much
Barbara

I started this poem thinking I'd take a quick read and then dash off to send some emails. Instead I'm sitting here trying to find the words to say how my heart has been touched. My eyes are all teary and bleary. Thanks, Richard.

I've loved Richard's poetry for almost twenty years.
This is no exception.

Robert Carroll

I prefer this poem to all the green life of heaven and earth.

It's nice to know that I don't have to hesitate and waffle and quibble and evaluate and wisely stroke the beard on my chin when someone asks me who the finest living American poet is. I say Richard Jones, then shoot the jump shot before the defender gets his hand in my face. I first read with Richard 25 years ago at Beyond Baroque with Sam Hamill, but we had lunch prior to that in a small Mexican cantina across from the old Scientology Building. I was wearing my torn blue sweatshirt, and Richard was pulling roses and carrots from his ears. We struck it off immediately, two poets stupid enough to love poetry when so much else in the world was letting us down. From the first line of the first poem I ever read by Richard, to the last line of this poem in Cultural Weekly, I continue to be astounded, and blessed, that Richard is my friend. My friend for life. As is poetry. Thanks to Adam and Alexis for making room in the Cultural Weekly for Richard's wide and compassionate heart.

OMG!!! Richard… I can't breathe. This poem, this poem, this poem. It is perfect. Line by surprising line. I am standing here weeping in my kitchen. THE BLESSING is YOU!!!! And you are in my heart always. Thank you.

P.S. Thank you Alexis. Richard Jones is a brilliant choice.

thank you for running this amazing poem by this amazing poet.

Alchemy at it's finest..Thank you

I love the father's perspective and the shift from the father's story to the son's stories and quirks to what the son sees in his future wife. Jeweled images, deep feeling. What a gorgeous poem!

Richard Jones is a blessing. He is a master poet who reminds this reader of the preciousness of life. His poems never fail to move me to my core. Thank you for publishing one of my favorites, from one of my favorites, on one of my favorites: Cultural Weekly. Buy THE BLESSING folks and read anything by Richard Jones you can get your hands on. I had the great good fortune to take his class. If you should find yourself with the same opportunity: seize it. Thank you to another master poet, Jack Grapes, for introducing me to Richard's poetry years ago and thank you to Adam and Alexis for sharing this beautiful poem, and for being such a wonderful home for great poetry, and poets.

Such crisp images, particularly how life will not be easy based on the contents of his sock drawer. Ordinary. Beautiful. Sweet and touching.

moving and powerful- so loved the ending
maureen grady

I've never read a poem like that. Parenting is joyful, scary, weird, and full of love. But you said it much better, Mr. Jones.

I love this poem, Richard, and I always love being in your poetry workshops. You definitely practice what you teach. Thanks you. Madeline

That's a poem. That's a poem. That's a poem. Thank you Mr. Jones. Richard McKenzie

Thank you for this beautiful poem. It is a true gift of the heart.

On my bedside table, there is a photo of my husband when he was 8, a rock my daughter painted bright yellow, a drawing of a monster from my son with an apology for always waking me up in the middle of the night, a small white alarm clock, my reading glasses, and Richard Jones' 'The Blessing,' for when I wake myself up in the middle of the night and need a trusted hand with a bright torch to guide me until the sun rises. Thank you, Richard. Great choice Alexis.

I too have my copy of The Blessing handy, so I can reach for it when I need it. I love this poem, thank you!!!

I read this over and over, so deeply touching!!! thank you!!!!