Proximity

So much depends on proximity. The third show in U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith’s new podcast, The Slowdown, concerns itself with this idea. The poem, Proximities, by Lia Purpua meditates on how we move in and out spaces that become notorious for what seems to be our current national pastime -- public shootings. But …

Jigsaw

Thanks to @awpwriter, Diane Zinna Pettyjohn, and my #AWPW2W mentor, Callista Buchen, I’m about to enter new writing territory. In December, I’ll be immersing myself in my poems, trying to uncover the themes and voices in my work. All in the hopes of creating a manuscript. One that (fingers crossed) sings. Callista told me to …

Flux

I went for a long-overdue walk this afternoon in my neighborhood. The day was balmy and  Technicolor lovely. (Don’t hate me because I live in Florida.) Eighteen years in the same neighborhood. Much of it just the way it was when I moved in. Much has changed with houses torn down to make way for …

Revel

I wept listening to the news today. Years ago I stopped listening to the news for a while. I instead gave myself over to laughter wherever it found me. Somehow I forgot the peace that gave me. So, I’m saying no again to the news and its attendant miseries. I’m saying yes to joy.   …

Life Set to Music

Music lovers usually live their life with a soundtrack. I like music but my heart is in words. But even I, logophile that I am, have soundtracks for certain parts of my life.      Mr. Smith Saves the Day that year it was LL it was cool it was us all heat and near …

My Bad

Ever whine about something and later realize it’s your own fault things aren't going your way?     My Bad   I read one scalloped cervixes and another one mother-in-law’s atomic hands and then this bride of my own lamentation and thought     I write poems just as good and thought     no fair in …

Conversion

I made notes about tonight’s poem: use double-dutch without glasses as the metaphor. Of course, somehow I forgot to jot down what my subject would be. Ha! So, I decided it was time for another visit to The Paris Review’s Poetry RX column and Claire Schwartz (@23cschwartz) for glorious language and a good start on this …

I Never Knew I Liked

Forms. I’ve run away from poetic forms because they seemed too...structured? I don’t know. Whatever the reason, poetic forms made/make me feel insecure. But. I must’ve  (insert any number of cliches about change here) because I’m all for trying a new form or two now. Tonight, I try the golden shovel. My proto-version at least. …

These Days

Today I re-watched the documentary, Becoming Cary Grant. Grant had a life filled with abandonment and adoration. At one point, he underwent therapy, LSD therapy, to help resolve his inner estrangement. For him, the drug’s effect of dissolving boundaries unlocked much of what he’d hidden even from himself. I’m sure if I’d ever tried something …

Astonishing Phrases

My journey is long, I say, and the sun is setting. I’ve studied poetry and attempted astonishing phrases— to no use…. Wind, move again. Blow my boat to the island of immortals. by Li Qingzhao, translator Wendy Chen I too study poetry and attempt astonishing phrases. Only time will tell if it all is to …