One of my poems made its debut today on “A Change in the Wind,” Kit Stolz’s excellent blog about climate change. Kit frames the issues at the heart of this poem beautifully. I am pleased to have it put out in this way to his thoughtful readership.
It is also an incredibly timely, and circuitous, reminder (from The Muse, to me, to Kit, back to me today) of the importance of relating to nature on its own terms. In light of the recent wildlife tragedy in my own front yard, I find an odd comfort in rereading this piece that came through me, one day, quietly, into this strange world of ours.
Thanks, Kit, for giving quarter to this poem.
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I received my contributor’s copy of Iota 85 today. It’s a beautiful and sturdy, perfect-bound volume with French flaps, packed with free-verse and formal poems and reviews from across the UK and worldwide. As I mentioned before, this is my first publication in a literary journal overseas.
I also happen to have recently made an audio recording for KPCC of one of my poems in this issue, entitled “Yellow.” That audio excerpt is available for listening on the Cyberfrequencies website. Another poem in this issue is dedicated to our son. It’s called “To Friends Not Knowing What to Say,” and explores how language fails us in times of loss.
I look forward to reading through this issue with interest. Copies can be purchased from the Iota website. They are also still accepting entries for their 2009 International Poetry Competition.
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I received my contributor’s copy of San Pedro River Review today. This, their second issue, features emerging and established voices from the rural Heartland and the wild Southwest–brimming with Studebakers, bandannas, milk cows, and greasy spoons. Strange company for my tribute poem to the Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, wherein I give birth to a twin brother for his “Mr. Cogito” persona in a poem called “Mr. Ergosum Speaks.” Still, this character somehow seems to fit in to such rough-and-ready company, like a sly European gunslinger in a Western saloon.
Sadly, something must have gone awry with my email submission, as not all of the line breaks came out quite right. I didn’t think to ask for a galley. And so, for those of you who might wonder, I include the correctly-formatted text of the poem, below. Despite this minor nuisance (a peril of the electronic age), the issue came out terrific overall. You can pick up all forty six pages of delicious new poems from Antigone Books or Mostly Books in Tucson, Arizona or from Bart’s Books in Ojai, California–or order your copy by mail using the address on their website. It will no doubt turn out to be the best six bucks you’ve spent in awhile.
And now, the poem:
Continue Reading “Poem in San Pedro River Review” »
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I just discovered that one of my poems is now available in the Fall 2009 issue of PoetryBay Online. This issue is loaded with good poems from wonderful poets from the Pacific University MFA program–like my illustrious colleague and alumna pal Michelle Bitting, the ever-stunning Ellen Bass, tough-and-tender Dorianne Laux, and my esteemed former faculty advisers Joe Millar and Marvin Bell. Not to mention Robert Bly, Kim Stafford, Lyn Lifshin, and Nick Carbó–the list goes on. As online journals go, this one is a heavyweight, and I feel lucky to appear in such good company. Enjoy!
Sugar Mule #32 just went live online, bearing three of my poems. As fate would have it, I plan to read two of these three poems tonight at The Artists’ Union Gallery in Ventura. The reading begins at 7:30PM. Bring a poem or two for the open mic.
And for those of you who can’t make it, for whatever reason–enjoy the poems!
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