Personal Poetics - June 2026

For Neal

I just got home from a trip out to Humboldt. Traveling to my beloved place is always wonderful, but the reason for this journey was a sad one. My dear friend Neal Ewald passed away. He was only 70 and on April 30, 2026 he didn’t wake up. I made a promise to Neal many years ago that I would read a poem at his memorial. I didn’t think I’d have to fulfill that promise so soon.

I’ve written a lot about Neal over the years, many poems, many interviews and articles. Our friendship was incredibly unique and unlikely. As I sat down today to create this month’s essay, I realized that this might be one of the last times I’ll write about Neal. I want our story to live here, to be remembered in its fullness, as a tribute to our incomparable relationship.