I can't help being proud

Poems are like children I finish up (as best I can) then shoo them out into the world hoping they make something of themselves.

My poem "On the Ninety-Ninth Floor" which I wrote about 9-11 in 2001 (also titled "On the Hundred and First Floor" on the advice of an editor who was a Rolling Stones fan) has been used in two different school English programs and been published numerous times in print and on the web.

While googling myself (if you submit poetry, you should check occasionally) I found another instance where the poem was used, this time in a commemoration ceremony at Harper College in Illinois, read by Anne Davidovich, an English professor.

HERE is the link. Thanks, Professor Davidovicz!

Poetry Tasting Thursday!

	Thursday, October 27 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm
	C'est Le Vin 15 N. 17th St. RVA 23219

Is that a poet behind those $5 sunglasses?

or is it Shann with a new haircut by her personal stylist?

Makes me wanna write a jazz hot poem-

Poetry Society of Virginia Newsletter October

If you are interested, find it HERE

If you want to receive a copy in your email, let me know, I'm the editor!

The annual contest begins November 1st and runs through January 19th (Poe's Birthday)

Cash prizes, some pretty substantial, quality well-known judges that change every year!

C'mon- you know you want to!

Fountain Books and Chop Suey

And this is why I purchase books at these two stores (or occasionally from a writer at a reading):

Read this article if you love books

My husband noticed Books-a-Million on Broad Street is closed. I never much cared for the place for books- the staff was generally good and the magazine selection was the best in town (at least for my cross stitch). The loss of any bookstore diminishes all of us.

You laugh now, but wait until Amazonofthefuture tells us what to read.

and they don't like poetry.

Halloween Poems??? You bet your pumpkin!

What could be more fun than poems for Halloween??

A most benign holiday, apparently safe for all faiths- or those with little.

Click HERE for selections.... and Boo!

$10,000 Poetry Prize Winner

Congratulation

Lisa Russ Spaar
2011 Recipient

The Carole Weinstein Prize in Poetry, established in 2005, is awarded annually to a poet with strong connections to central Virginia. The $10,000 prize recognizes significant recent contribution to the art of poetry and a broad range of achievement in the field.

from Poetry Daily

Sevenlings and Shann

Did I mention I'm writing a sevenling a day for the month of October?

So far, it's been interesting- not as easy as I'd thought, but fun.

link HERE

give it a try- I'll post one soon...

you wanna hear SLAM? REAL Slam??

Then be here Tuesday night- yeah- I know, it's Maryland.

Taylor Mali

And who, you ask- is this Transtromer dude??

He's writes difficult poetry, only available through translation.

He's 80.

He's not Bob Dylan, or American.

"Transtromer, whose subtle, multi-layered work often deals with the relation between man and nature or the conscious and unconscious, is a regular on the list of favourites to win the prize." Simon Johnson, Reuters

What do I think? Dunno, really. I'm not a huge fan of The Poet With the Name That Sounds Like a Sci-Fi Movie. (or should I say Syfy?)

HERE be some useful links