A Phoned-In Podcast by Bill Chalmers
Peace is not some abstract thing,
no recycle bin of war.
It’s more a gently gliding bird,
soft falling snow, and more—
It’s a willingness to let go
of requests in conditions wrapped,
to inject a smile, or a hug,
for a temper’s snap.
It’s taking time to thank someone,
to forget sad yesterdays,
to spread one’s arms and send off love
in a hundred simple ways.
My dad, Bill Chalmers of Juneau, Alaska, was an English teacher, author, poet, football enthusiast, raconteur... a wonderful, warm, and giving person. Inspired by his locally-legendary answering machine messages, we gave him a phone number he could call to leave a message, a poem, or a story. Each call became an episode of this podcast. He died on September 30th, 2026, and these recordings are just a small refraction of the light that he leaves behind in all of our hearts. –- Devin Chalmers, October 2026