Veteran

(To Peppy)

I wanted to thank him for his understanding

And I got to again and again

‘Cause he was a man of wisdom,

“I know you want to heal that rift

to go out to give your ex a lift."

 

His instruction rooted in experience

one that’s been forgotten and remembered

by the unreasonably offended

sometimes by souls with sweet intentions

in hopes they find connection.

 

His soul-to me- full of good intentions,

Every moment filled with inspiration

Always he saw our potential as good

not that there’s anything wrong with that

….except when we miss those we didn’t get to thank.

-May 2026

Eye Doc

oversized pupils

baby cataracts left eye

grade school ones in the right

-May 4, 2026

Poet and Singer-Songwriter Cornelius Eady on The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

 

 It was a pleasure interviewing my friend and fellow poet/songwriter Cornelius Eady. He wrote and read "Proof" for the Inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  "Proof" is his upcoming chapbook, which will be out this September on Tupelo Press.

Author, Poet, Businessman Bill Pezzimenti on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

 It's a pleasure to interview my longtime friend Bill Pezzimenti, who wrote the book "Facing the Monkey's Grin," a delightful and easy read about crazymakers in the work world. Bill's also a working poet and talented salesperson. https://youtu.be/abAWDZ1KBtc?si=qtif8T6ETkJX2IBm via @YouTube

Gaelynn Lea on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

 My interview with singer-songwriter-violinist-public speaker-- and now author Gaelynn Lea is live on YouTube. She's on tour in support of her book, “It wasn’t meant to be Perfect." I'll be hearing her live at Joe's Pub Saturday. https://youtube.com/watch?v=HOPsy8M2r4o&si=sL_UXJwQWOFtN-3h

Poets with Purpose's Noel Figueroa on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

 

Noel Figueroa loves poetry and poets, and he created a group "Poets with Purpose." He's curating the Blackbird Stage happening the New York City Poetry Festival on July 18 at Governor's Island. We also talk about his poetry book, "One Man's Journey" in this interview.

Johanna Hall on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

 Rich interview with Orleans and Janis Joplin co-writer Johanna Hall. She is a multi-faceted writer, contributing to classic music magazines Crawdaddy and the Village Voice, plus independent outlets in her homebase of Woodstock, NY.  I think this is one of my all-time favorite interviews. Full disclosure--I've worked with Orleans and her ex-John Hall a lot through the years.