Another page I'll have to keep with reading regularly.
Lots of truth in this
Wislawa Symborska, via Poetry Dispatch:To Mr. Br. K. of Laski: “Your poems in prose are permeated by the figure of the Great Poet who creates his remarkable works in a state of alcoholic euphoria. We might take a wild guess at whom you have in mind, but it’s not last names that concern us in … Continue reading Lots of truth in this
Sweet Jeebus
National Poetry Month is over. Whew. I actually squeezed out the 30 poems in 30 days, no cheating or using previously written material. I'll admit, there have been years where I haven't produced thirty drafts of poems, good or bad, and that can't continue. It's the most condensed period of writing I've ever done, and … Continue reading Sweet Jeebus
Challenge: Haiku
Today's prompt at Poetic Asides was haiku, a form I've never been fond of. I never quite knew why I wasn't fond of it--it was more a visceral thing for me--but Jim Murdoch has outlined some pretty good reasons for disliking it, at least as it's generally understood. I'm going to take a longer look … Continue reading Challenge: Haiku
My first flarf?
This is written as part of the Poetic Asides National Poetry Month writing challenge. I wasn't all that into the prompt, and this came out, perhaps a bit snarkier than I intended, but there it is.All I want ispeace love and understandingand this lamp,the breeze off the ocean,noise putty,a loaf of bread, a jug of … Continue reading My first flarf?
Mr. Cogito On Upright Attitudes
1In Uticathe citizensdon’t want to defend themselves in town an epidemic broke outof the instinct of self-preservation the temple of freedomhas been changed into a flea market the senate is deliberatinghow not to be a senate the citizensdon’t want to defend themselvesthey are attending accelerated courseson falling to the knees passively they wait for the … Continue reading Mr. Cogito On Upright Attitudes
Miller in the Times
Miller Williams was the reason I went to Arkansas, and he sat on my thesis committee as well, so I'm glad to see him get a little love from the NY Times for his latest book.His latest collection, “Time and the Tilting Earth,” offers many pleasures. Chief among these are Williams’s way of entwining the … Continue reading Miller in the Times
Regret by John Casteen
REGRETThis life, it is like conductingthe symphony of a warring country;the cellist has been shot through the wrist it’s all in,the horn player has buried his childand sworn off music.The conductor will never hear his piece as he hears it.Sometimes I wake between three and four, these winter nights,clenching tightly the what-is-not-there,and I can’t negotiate … Continue reading Regret by John Casteen
I find myself in a poetry feud
I'm glad to see that Micah Mattix has responded to my criticism of his article from a couple of days ago. His response misses the point, but I'm glad there's a conversation going on. So here's what Mattix didn't like. On his first point, about there being too much money in poetry, he replies:The fact … Continue reading I find myself in a poetry feud
Spring Cleaning
By Melvin DixonFirst goes floordust, then newspapersstacked near the bed. Peanut shellsswept out of hiding between mattressand rug. Toenails clipped.Sprouts of a beard shaved off.With hourly glasses of Deer Park Waterand the barest of food, the bodysheds winter fat and filler.The hair goes next, closeto the gleaming, gleaming skull.You are ready for the sunand the … Continue reading Spring Cleaning
Another Poem to Love 