I read a range of poems, many new pieces fueled by the MFA–and even some poems about the passing of our son. It was the first time reading them in public, save for a few I read in workshop at the last residency. It felt necessary–like it was time; another stage of honoring and letting […]
Featured Poet at Artists’ Union Gallery, Ventura Read More »
Earlier today, I heard from my father that Sandford Lyne–poet, teacher and friend–passed away this morning. He went quietly in his own home, having made his peace with this world. I will miss him fiercely. After graduating from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in the early ’70s, he went on to teach poetry at the University
It has been one year since the birth of our son, and in three days’ time, it will be the first anniversary of his passing. My mother raised me to always write thank-you notes for gifts I received. His was one of the greatest so far in my short life. Foremost, he helped me to
When my wife found out the International Museum Of Women asked me to submit a poem, she didn’t miss a beat: “You go girl!” In actuality, they are preparing an exhibit featuring the art of young men as an analogue to their recent and highly successful “Imagining Ourselves” exhibit featuring young women. I just learned
“I must create a system, or be enslav’d by another man’s” -William Blake, “Jerusalem” What can I say about this book? It has been a life raft for me. I resonated with Orr’s sentiments from the very first page, and have unfolded in this book a beautiful articulation of what I have been experiencing lately
Gregory Orr’s Poetry As Survival arrived today. Given what I’ve been musing about lately, I was pleasantly surprised by the opening paragraph of the book: As a poet, I’ve always hated the fact that poetry often intimidates people. Many people I know feel that poetry is a test they can only pass if they are
