Another whirlwind MFA residency has come and gone–this one my first on the beautiful Pacific University campus. Thanks to all who made it such a spectacular event. Here is a parting taste of the campus: (Click any image to enlarge)
The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough. -Ezra Pound, “In a Station of the Metro” It was worth flying back and getting a short night of sleep last night to hear Sandra Alcosser speak about brevity in poetry this morning. I am no stranger to shortness–my most recently
Christopher Howell of Eastern Washington University Press gave an excellent overview of publishing options this afternoon–including vanity presses, self-publishing, cooperatives, small, independent, university and corporate publishers. Above all he encouraged right motivation: to publish [He put forward the idea of publishing] as means to enter the larger literary conversation, and encouraged the practice of detachment
“Poetry is the least imposition on silence in a world of chatter.” -Marvin Bell Time for lunch.
On the flight over, a family of three was seated in front of me. Actually, the father was assigned a seat a few rows up, so when the rightful occupant came down the aisle, he politely asked if they could switch so he could stay with his family. No dice. The woman specifically booked that
I’m leaving for Forest Grove, Oregon tomorrow for the second residency of the Pacific University MFA in Writing. The first time around was intense, profound, wonderful. Looking forward to round two, and hoping to jot the occasional tid bit here as time permits.
