Modern Poetry- a thoughtful commentary

Read this now-

it's wonderful

CLICK HERE

Love it, love it, love i!

Why I play piano...

besides my aunts, I loved Liberace and JoAnne Castle

and

I'm from the FDA and I'm here to kill you...

Watch this movie free thru Sunday night-

seriously- watch it!!!

http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/the-proven-cancer-cure-the-fda-has-tried-to-surpress/

I'm from the FDA and I'm here to kill you...oh- and to get rich from your money while I do it!

June 14 poem-a-day

Why Poets are not Optimists

up too late
assembling chapbooks
she hopes to make gas money,
maybe get a sandwich,
have a little extra for the weekend
for the farmers market-
early tomatoes, peaches, maybe,
feel like a success
in the face of so many
people grinding out poetry,
she doesn’t even have
what she’ll read
picked out
or her dress
nothing is timed
nor in large fonts
now she won’t get
enough sleep
she never does
preparing to tell strangers
her deepest secrets
they should at least
buy a lousy chapbook.

Mark Rylance on the Tony Awards

In case you thought Mark Rylance was riffing- here is the prose poem he used in his acceptance speech...

POEM

Don't tell me poetry can't be memorized if it doesn't rhyme!

June 12 poem-a-day

Selected


Jumble of covers,
I am not trapped,
I am not trapped.
Aggregate calamities,
opportunity + idea = advantage.
Covert operations indicate
a lack of documentation.
Sancho Panza got it right
(about the pitcher).


Slipping into tepid waters,
I remember how to swim.
Under the influence/
it is too easy to ignore
the obvious
old injuries
telegraph a warning,
too late, too late
I throw myself against the wall of your smile.

June 6 poem-a-day

Half an inch of water


I’ve never been confused for someone else,
who’s missed a plane to Memphis,
fought with a ragtag few against the many,
stepping forward when those near me don't.

I’d rather duck and run, look busy, divert
attention when necessary, or just say No.
As the rope gets to me, I’ll ease it out,
unwilling to hang alone or with others.

When it is time to stand I’ll watch
from a comfortable distance in a lawn chair,
shaded under the gnarl of a grape arbor,
as the vine grows to cover my transgressions.

I’ll never be a martyr, or a blessed saint,
my convictions are fluid, convenient,
fleeting as first love, only a pin prick deep,
silent in mourning, I will not speak first.

June 5 poem-a-day

removed for revision

June poem-a-day grind 4

Removed for revision.

June poem-a-day 3

removed for revisions

June poem-a-day 2

removed for revisions

June Poem-a-Day (aka Grind) 1

removed for revisions

Yes, I have not posted for two weeks!

But that is going to change. I am (once again, foolishly, because I have a masochistic streak) writing a poem-a-day for the month of June.

Frankly, I've been floundering since April, writing little to nothing for the month, doing some revising but I need a place to drop off new ideas, ya know?

I have been doing cross stitch, which no one much does anymore. Just finished a monocolor tree/heart motif, now I'm working on a lovely 'stained-glass look" art deco rose. Think Charles Rennie MacIntosh and you have the idea. It's my first full coverage piece, and I've been doing this a long time (30 plus years).

My 30th wedding anniversary is this month. I've been an employee of (some) Episcopal Church for 40 years. I moved to Richmond 40 years ago this month. Lot's of major things here.

time passes

the dude abides

I want to like this poem, but I don't

Read it HERE

more on Tracy HERE

and HERE

maybe she just didn't see the same movie I did, or dream about that scene, or want to be there.

Guess I'll see what the rest of the book is like.

Young people. Sigh.

Ya missed em- until they appear elsewhere

All those poems, thirty of them, are gone from here and are being scrubbed and rethought to make them better.

Ya missed 'em. Oh well.

next year.

Poet Kate Daniels reads Wednesday at the Library of Virginia

Poetic Principles features poet

Kate Daniels

Poetry reading and book signings
6 p.m.
Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad St.
692-3592.


"The Pedicure"

"The Hatching"

National Poetry Month is around the corner...

write a poem a day

take a poet to lunch

buy a book of poetry

donate a poetry book to a library or school classroom

buy a book of poems from Fountain Bookstore (in Richmond) or other local independent

carry a poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day!! April 14th

attend a poetry reading

all of the above and more....

I am doing a google group for daily poems- if ya wanna, email me! It'll be fun!

Now THIS is a lovely poem...

A LOVELY POEM

i can't help saying i think the last four lines are unnecessary, though, and bring the whole piece down a notch.

can't resist sending you to this blog...

Besides, it's a rant by the inimitable Ursula K. LeGuin- and if you don't know who she is, you might want to google her-

Article - Click HERE

When I was in my 20's, I could say "Fuck!" much faster than  "butt" or "fart"- words I was taught to never use in polite (particularly mixed) company! Thank you Country Joe!

I also learned as a child never to say golly or gosh- these being derivatives of the word god (implying goddamn) because I wouldn't want to violate a commandment.

Since that time, I can definitively state I have violated every commandment, most more than once.

Shit. I guess I'm fucked.

Blogging, tweeting, and other stuff

I am directing music for a production of "Annie" at Goochland Middle & High School - show dates are Mar18th, 19th and 20th! It will be fabulous!

I am working through music for the choir at Grace Episcopal Church for Lent and Easter, Ash Wednesday we have a noon and 7pm service.

We also have a "Local Talent Variety Show" at the church Friday the 11th at 7pm to support our mission work in the county- I'll be singing something, don't know what yet.

The Virginia Benefit Chorale has a concert next Sunday (in Blackstone) at 5pm.

With the regular work I do and poetry and all that- my time is passing fater than I care to think about- I look forward to April Fool's Day to celebrate my accomplishments!!

Oh yeah- I need to get taxes to the tax guy-

so don't expect much on the tweet, facebook, blog, email front for the next two weeks, okay??

love y'all!

help a family in New Zealand (or elsewhere)

Help a family in New Zealand (or elsewhere)- donate to Shelterbox-

here's a good source (and a group effort from writer Maureen Johnson-

http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/2011/02/23/the-last-little-shelterbox/

A little bit behind....

but not a little behind-

Writing, reading, and taxes.

Three pieces in publication (or soon) more submissions on the way-

today will be spent with th floor scrubber in the kitchen, somethimes art isn't enough.

Poetry at art6 Friday at 7:30

Oh yeah- I'm crazy
and of course, it's documented-

crazy poets

If you want to find out for yourself- come to art 6 Gallery (6 east Broad Street) on Friday night at7:30 and hear myself and some other wacko poets prove it to you!!!  (it'll cost ya $5)

Trust me, you can call it research.

Hilarious!! "The poet laureate of the US is, of course...

W. S. Merwin." Of course- what?

Oh, Washington Post- you crack me up everytime!!!

Click HERE for the full story (well, tiny story)

We poets don't get no respect!!

Did I say POE-try??

The annual contest by the Poetry Society of Virginia deadline is approaching.

check out the details HERE

get those poems in by January 19th- Edgar Allan's birthday...

and sad news- Richmond poet (and contest winner many times) Norma Richardson died after a LONG battle with cancer. her obituary will probably be in the Richmond Times Dispatch tomorrow.


Rest in peace with all the company of heaven, dear Norma!

Over with the festivities- back to poetry!!!

I am going to write a poem a day in January, also submit, submit, submit. It's not a resolution, it's what I'm going to do,

First: Poetry Society of Virginia Contest HERE. I've managed to win and place over the years, cash prizes, so I'm going to start gathering this week.

"Secrets" reading in February 11th. I'm not sure what else I'll be doing but it's time to get some poets together, find a venue and do our thang.

Yup.

Happy New Year coming!

What a Nice Thing to Say, and at Christmas!

Muriel Rukeyser  "If there were no poetry on any day in the world, poetry would be invented that day. For there would be an intolerable hunger."

Muriel Rukeyser 

Holiday gifts for poets!!

I'm freezing- I don't care about anything but getting warm.
Busy waiting for packages to arrive so I can wrap them, that kind of thing.

Ordered a number of poetry books (from the poets directly), still trying to get to Fountain Bookstore (favorite bookstore in Richmond) to pick up a few titles.

For your poet friends:

Journals (though some of us like notebooks- what have you seen them use?)
Subscriptions (you can do this online)
         Poetry
         Poets & Writers
         or a million others!
Books
         for a list of poet's favorite book's, go here and scroll through the suggestions made by poets
Gift cards to bookstores (like Fountain Bookstore in Richmond or a local independent)

Most of these you can order right from your favorite chair and computer!!

Remember- THINK LOCAL, BUT LOCAL whenever you can!

Donate for the Holidays- Donate for Life

Are you buying something useless for someone who doesn't need (or want) it? Donate something instead.

Dean Young is one of our finest poets. He needs a heart transplant.

Donate HERE Read the letter by Tony Hoagland.

I did. I know my brother-in-law won't mind.

Some poems by Dean Young:

To those of you alive in the future

Thrown as if Fierce and Wild

Ode to Hangover  has audio

If everyone on my friends and email list donated $10- well, let's just say I have a LOT of friends and many (most) are poets and writers.

Such a wonderful life!!

From the Ninth Elegy:

Maybe we're here only to say: house,
bridge, well, gate, jug, olive tree, window —
at most, pillar, tower ...
but to say them, remember,
oh, to say them in a way that the things themselves 
never dreamed of existing so intensely.

Rilke


I am surrounded by a community of lovers and doers. It is a beautiful time of year.
When a car cuts me off in traffic, when the frantic mother runs into my ankles with her
shopping cart, when I despair over money or messes or temporary inconveniences,
I will recall this and smile.

And write.

Tuesday in Goochland!! Music!

December 7th at 7:30pm

the Virginia Benefit Chorale will sing at Grace Episcopal Church in Goochland

to benefit the Goochland Food Pantry and the Christmas Mother.

It's a free concert but we ask you to bring canned food

and/or consider making a donation to the program.

ALL money raised will go directly to

this important cause that has been taken on at Grace Church.

Hysterical!! A poetaster's birthday!

from the Writer's Almanac by Garrison Keillor (I subscribe and get it by email every day)

It's the birthday of Julia A. Moore  born in Plainfield Township, Michigan, on this day in 1847. She grew up on a Michigan farm, dropped out of school at the age of 11, bore 10 children, and is famous for writing really bad poetry — so famous for it, in fact, that Mark Twain modeled a character after her in The Adventures of Huck Finn, and he wrote a parody of Moore's bad poetry for that character, Emmeline Grangerford, to recite.


She's sometimes referred to as a "poetaster," which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as "a petty or paltry poet; a writer of poor or trashy verse; a rimester." This distinction usually entails things like the use of awkward meter, painfully sappy sentimentality, words that rhyme in an unpleasant way, or poor taste in subject matter. Other poetasters famous enough to be anthologized include J. Gordon Coogler, William McGonagall, and James McIntyre.

As for Moore, her favorite topics included abstinence, temperance, sudden death, terrible destruction, obituaries of small children, and big disasters, such as train wrecks or fires. One of her most famous poems is about the Chicago Fire. She wrote:

The great Chicago Fire, friends,
Will never be forgot;
In the history of Chicago
It will remain a darken spot.

It was a dreadful horrid sight
To see that City in flames;
But no human aid could save it,
For all skill was tried in vain.

Her first collection was published locally as The Sentimental Song Book (1876). But then a big Cleveland publisher picked it up, re-titled it The Sweet Singer of Michigan Salutes the Public, and sent out a bunch of copies to newspapers around the nation, along with a review of mock praise he'd written up. In spite of all this bad publicity, or perhaps because of it, Julia Moore's book of verse became a national best-seller, and she began to give public readings.

The readings did not go well. She was jeered off stage, and her husband, a Michigan farmer, made her promise to never publish any more poetry. She waited until her husband died, and then she published some more.

Each year in Michigan, the Flint Public Library holds a Julia A Moore poetry contest, and people have the chance to do their best imitations. In 1997, 150 years after her birth, the governor of Michigan set aside a week in her honor. A new edition of her poems was published a couple years later by Michigan State University Press, edited and introduced by Thomas J. Riedlinger; it's called Mortal Refrains: The Complete Collected Poetry, Prose, and Songs of Julia A. Moore, The Sweet Singer of Michigan (1998). She once said, "Literary is a work very hard to do."

In her poem "Sketch of Lord Byron's Life," she wrote:

"Lord Byron" was an Englishman
A poet I believe,
His first works in old England
Was poorly received.

Perhaps it was "Lord Byron's" fault
And perhaps it was not.
His life was full of misfortunes,
Ah, strange was his lot.

The character of "Lord Byron"
Was of a low degree,
Caused by his reckless conduct,
And bad company.

He sprung from an ancient house,
Noble, but poor, indeed.
His career on earth, was marred
By his own misdeeds.

yes, I have been remiss!

Posting poetry (or otherwise) has not happened much lately.

I did write a poem per day through the 16th or so but my get up and write rode away with a handsome cowboy. Or something like that.

Actually, I've been working, singing, doing the church choir director thing (Sundays plus 2 funerals).

Two events of note:

December 7th at 7:30pm the Virginia Benefit Chorale will sing at Grace Episcopal Church in Goochland to benefit the Goochland Food Pantry and the Christmas Mother. It's a free concert but we ask you to bring canned food and/or consider making a donation to the program. ALL money raised will go directly to this important cause that has been taken on at Grace Church.

As I type this, I am listening to the CD from our first concert last week at St Luke's Lutheran on Southside- it is AMAZING- and not just because I sing 2nd soprano). We open with an arrangement of "Steal Away" by local organist Mike Simpson, then go to Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Poulenc, and so many other songs. Did I mention we sing a cappella??

The other event is a poetry reading at art 6 Gallery on December 10th at 7:30. $5. Put it on your calendar, I'll 'splain more later!!

Poem a day November 9th

If you slow down



the stars stay longer,
the alarm doesn’t startle,
the milk won’t scald,
the toast can’t burn

because you’re right there
to see the sky lighten,
to slap the snooze alarm,
to turn the burner down,
to rescue breakfast,


then make some scrambled eggs,
watch the cardinals sing,
listen to Joni Mitchell,
sip your hot chocolate,
find the plum preserves,


before the world grabs you
and throws you to the wolves,
and jams up the interstate,
and fills your mail with bills,
and keeps you late at work,

stealing the day in high velocity.

November poem a day for the 8th

Ask Alice



She’s always saying yes when she wants
to say no, doesn’t seem right how folks
take advantage of her good nature, does it?

Then she’ll turn right around and Big Fat No
something that seems interesting, like a party
or dinner at a fancy place she’d never go alone.

Been known to say no to food when she’s hungry,
squeeze her legs tight in the car too prim to answer
in the affirmative to “Anybody need to stop?”

Hard-wired to do for others, deny herself,
she comes from a long line of giving women,
the kind that believes it’s what has to be done,


after all, it’s biblical, right? Dutiful wives,
loving mothers, must learn to abide, sit tight,
give in, walk the extra mile for everybody else.

The ease of Yes, the discomfort of No
needs to be switched around, rethought
before she wears herself out with loving.

Prob’ly have to piss off a few folks, before
the new rules set themselves in stone,
likely have to cry behind the steering wheel

when they play the guilt card, she mustn’t cave.
Truth be trotted out- she never did ‘em a favor
always pulling the wagon without any help.

She’s gonna give it a good No next time,
save the Really Big YES for what she wants.
Maybe dogs and Alice can turn a trick around.

November poem-a-day here's November 7th

Bamboozled, and on a Sunday

There are always biddies and busybodies
in a congregation - acting as spies for the devil.
It’s celestial intelligence, meddling minions
to insure the message is muddled, called out

before the match catches, Lacryma Christi!
The witnesses stand silent,mouths agape.
The end is nigh, and always has been,
(truth be told we never had a say at all).

You, Lucy? And Ethyl, long suffering,
the same sprinkled dirt now covers both of you.
Those expecting more will be sorely disappointed,
while the rest of us suspected nothing all along.

it's First Friday (again)!

and there is sculpture at art6-

and first novels at VCU- (that's Thursday)

and poetry at Chop Suey

and I'm writing a poem-a-day (so far without inspiration)

and it's a dark and dreary day (which I love, actually)

and I'm about to cook stuffed cabbage (with lamb and pine nuts)

life is good!

Are you teaching a poetry class?? Taking one??

Here's a text you might consider. At least make it part of your personal collection.


Making Poems

Poets include Jan Beatty, Robin Becker, Fleda Brown, J. L. Conrad, Jim Daniels, Todd Davis, Chris Dombrowski, Dan Gerber, Jeff Gundy, Kimiko Hahn, William Heyen, H. L. Hix, John Hoppenthaler, Ann Hostetler, Julia Spicher Kasdorf, David Kirby, Gerry LaFemina, Mary Linton, Shara McCallum, Dinty W. Moore, Erin Murphy, Mary Rose O’Reilley, Lee Peterson, Greg Rappleye, Keith Ratzlaff, Jack Ridl, Steven Sherrill, David Shumate, Aaron Smith, Lucien Stryk, Mary Swander, Sue Ellen Thompson, Natasha Threthewey, Brian Turner, Lee Upton, G. C. Waldrep, Michael Waters, Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Katharine Whitcomb, and Robert Wrigley.



Twitter poets

Tonight we had a poet party on twitter- it was a blast!

Some heady names were there.

You missed it.

Voting again! Caption contest!

Go vote for someone- me, for instance, if you like my caption!

CAPTION CONTEST

Serious fun. Read the Project Runway commentary, too- voting is at the bottom of that.

Poetry Resolutions

Poetry Resolutions 10-17-10

1) To pay attention
2) To revise and reorder poems
3) To organize my time around writing poetry
4) Submit submit submit (contingent on #2)
5) Set aside reading times (poetry first, fiction after)
6) Clear my desk, clear my head
7) Walk everyday (I should probably move that up, it's doable)
8) Continue eating well, and plan meals better for the husband (who is quitting smoking)
9) Keep better contact with friends, near and far

Cooler weather brings more energy- I wish it brought more money (but I can't let that hold me up from doing these resolutions). It's very tempting to huddle under a throw and moan about details- I have certainly done  enough of that recently.

Forward. Outward display. Inner Peace.

Poetry.

Shann

Caption contest throwdown!! Go vote!!

and I'm in again- but I might be out tonight...

Go vote- go vote for someone!

READ here and scroll down to vote

Secret Stories Friday at art6

Don't miss out on this!!

7:30  $5
Poetry, music, reception after

The last poem-a-day for September

September 30th (draft)


She Endures

through rain, then mud,
then all the mold and mildew
in the little house, her closet

full of shoes and purses
on the cracked linoleum floor
beside mice nests, spider parts

she scribbles on the wall behind
her Laura Ashley paisley suit,
her white Rainbow girl formal

she writes: New York City,
San Francisco, London,
any place except home, here

where she lays out places
to see with pink lipstick
carried in her pocket, La Porte

the one city she will say
she hates, the heat, the stink,
the rules about taking Home Ec

instead of geology or Russian
pretending to be Blanche,
or the jester’s other girlfriend

she plots escape, university,
marriage, money, music,
in the meantime, she endures.

Even more poetry- from the Poetry Society of Virginia

If you don't have a job- check this out: (not sure what it costs if you aren't a member)

Come Enjoy!

three October readings by P.S.V. Poets

October 8th Award winning Poems

Joan Mazza, Evelyn Tower, and Rob Arthur

October 15th Published Poetry

Patsy Anne Bickerstaff, Ed Lull, and Norma Richardson

October 22nd Favorite Poets

Shonda Buchanan, Evelyn Tower, and Katie Brydon

at

University of Richmond, North Court Reception Room

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Free for P.S.V. members

Directions:

UR campus map: richmond.edu/visit/maps/index.html

Park behind the Modlin Center (building 50 on map).

Walk through Modlin Center

Cross Keller Road

North Court is building 40 on campus map.

Questions: contact Maria Butler, 285-8302.

PSV members please come and help attract the Osher members to

PSV membership

http://www.poetrysocietyofvirginia.org/

http://directory.richmond.edu/

an hour for each reader?????  Skip out for Bob Arthur, he's dreadful IMO



This will be a MUST SEE- Larry Levis

A teaser for a documentary film about an incredible poet-

My Story in a Late Style of Fire

When ?? Where ??

That's all I'll need to know.

Politics ain't poetry- ever-

I want to go to DC for Jon Stewart's Rally For Sanity- anyone wanna go with?

"In his outstanding new book, The Misogynist, novelist and biographer Piers Paul Read makes a list of what he describes as “the Seven Sins of the Secular State.”

They are racism, misogyny, homophobia, elitism, smoking, obesity and religious belief. Read discusses all of this with a breathtaking grasp of the absurdities of the contemporary world and the book is essential stuff."

(Michael Coren, via the Toronto Sun) (via C. Dale Young)

sept 12 draft poem-a-day

Eternity

removed for editing...

yes, I'm doing a poem a day again

here's September 4's draft
*removed for revisions*

*VMFA “First Fridays” Welcomes Back VCU Poets Please come!!!*

VMFA will host the first event in the new First Fridays performing arts
series on Friday, September 3 with poetry readings from four poets from VCU.

The readings will be held in the museum’s Atrium from 6-8 PM. Admission to each event is free and open to the public. Take advantage of the late Friday evening hours, and view the works of art in the galleries, browse the gift shop or enjoy the casual atmosphere, food and beverages offered in the Best Café before or after the performances

*First Fridays, September 3*
*Poets* (introduced by Shann Palmer)

6:00-6:25 pm Avery Beckendorf
6:30-6:55 Tarfia Faizullah
7:00-7:25 Randy Marshall
7:30-8:00 Cynthia Grier Lotze

*Avery Beckendorf *is a third-year MFA student in poetry at VCU. She earned a BA in creative writing and journalism from the University of Central Florida in 2006. She previously worked as editor of the *Cypress Dome*, a student literary magazine at UCF, and her poetry and fiction have appeared in The *Susquehanna Review* and *Takedown.*
*Cynthia Grier Lotze* earned her MFA in poetry from VCU in 2006. She has taught Literature and Writing at VCU and at the University of Mary Washington and teaches in the English Department at St. Catherine’s School. She is at work on a book-length poem entitled *Baedeker for Comets* and her
shorter poems can be found or are forthcoming in publications like *Harpur Palate, Babel Fruit*, *Opium, Versal* and *Makeout Creek*.
*Randy Marshall* received his MFA in poetry from VCU. His poems, essays, and reviews have appeared in *Richmond Arts Magazine, GSU Review, Cream City Review *and *Blackbird*. Selections of his poetry were named as finalists in the Frank O’Hara Chapbook Competitions. He currently serves as Associate Literary Editor of *Blackbird: an online journal of literature and he arts.*

*Tarfia Faizullah* received her MFA in poetry from VCU. She is a former associate editor of Blackbird: an online journal of literature and the arts. Her poetry has appeared in Mid-American Review, The Southern Review, Ploughshares, Cimarron Review, Green Mountains Review, Poetry Daily and elsewhere. She was a 2006-07 AWP Intro Journals Award winner, a 2008-09 winner of the Catherine and Joan Byrne Poetry Prize, and the 2009 winner of Ploughshares’ Cohen Award

"Jesus wants you to be a millionaire"

A poem by Robert Bruce from poetry.org (the rest of the poem HERE)

Jesus Wants You to be a Millionaire

We know that he

worked as a carpenter
until
he gave it up to
travel
tell stories
and generally
piss off people like me

Poets you might (or might not) enjoy

Interesting stuff from Jezebel

An odd mix of the sublime and the sleazy- if you like to talk shit, click on some of the videos (I'm sorry- my personal opinion is, if you think talking about blood and vaginas makes you a better woman than me- I am so not impressed little girl- you don't know my life).

Stand up, commentary, bullshit, brilliance- all under the heading of poetry.

You choose-

A really great poem!!!

A prize winner for sure....by Ed Madden-
Jubilate

For I will read queer things in punk magazines in English.
For we will talk about David Bowie and Rod Stewart in art.
For I will watch Sting sing ‘Don’t stand so close to me’ on Friday Night Videos
as I lie on a bed in Sheryl Honey’s house my senior year,
for I will lie on the bed with Elizabeth, who loaned me the magazines,
for I will lie on the bed with Paul, the quarterback with perfect hair and tanned ankles,
for we will watch Sting sing ‘Don’t stand so close to me.’

(click HERE for the entire poem)

Brian Henry talks poetry, man

Brian Henry at Best American Poetry as guest blogger -
(University of Rivhmond, Verse literary zine editor, Weinstein prize winner)

Here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

enjoy!

Kelly Cherry named Poet Laureate of Virginia

Kelly Cherry has been appointed Poet Laureate of Virginia. She will serve from 2010-2012.

She was preceeded by Claudia Emerson and Carolyn Foronda, both incredible poets! Cherry is a wonderful follow-up in this line of poets.

a poem from the Cortland Review...



She Doesn't Care What you Say About Her,

Just so Long as you Spell Her Name Right


Would she have fame?
Would she take tea and have fame with her tea?
Or roll a joint, famously?

She imagined approval, applause
A man not bored by her voracity.

In the house to be
Furnished in the future,
There would be intricate, quiet rugs,
Acres of books,
Someone playing the cello.

A late supper after the concert or play...
Outside, the people were clamoring for autographs.
The Madonna Syndrome:

Later, they went home,
And the man who was not bored
By the fact that she loved him
Allowed her to write her name
On his balls with the tip
Of her tongue as many times
As it took to make sure
He got it right.


*******************gotta love that, right??? Thank you Poetry Society of Virginia and Governor Whasisname.

best new writer I've met this year

Her name is Ann Pancake and her novel is "Strange as the Weather Has Been" , her short story collection is "Given Ground".

Her characters are spot on, full of life where lesser authors would infuse them with caricature and moonshine (or lately, oxycontin and meth).

Her words helped me feel the trees, the land, the rocks- the remainder of my vacation in West Virginia (I met her at the West Virginia Writers Workshop) I saw the land in a brand new way. As we drove to Morgantown and Oakland, MD on a different day, the mountains spoke to me and this time- I heard what they said, thanks to Ann. It was joy, beauty, and sadness.

I'm sure Kelly at Fountain Bookstore would be glad to order both books for you. Ann does for West Virginia what Clyde Edgerton and Sheri Reynolds do for their respective stomping grounds.

new US Poet Laureate named- it's Merwin!

W.S. Merwin is it-

HERE

More info HERE

I have mixed emotions- The past 2 years with Kay Ryan have been pretty much a wash (not her poetry but her public persona). It would be nice to have something going on with poetry again. Pinsky-style.

Just sayin'



Language

by W. S. Merwin

Certain words now in our knowledge we will not use again, and we will never forget them. We need them. Like the back of the picture. Like our marrow, and the color in our veins. We shine the lantern of our sleep on them, to make sure, and there they are, trembling already for the day of witness. They will be buried with us, and rise with the rest.

Just when you thought there was enough about Larry Levis!

There's more....

HERE

all this AND Phillip Levine?? Gotta love this, seriously.

Mark your calendars NOW!

2010 Levis prize winner announced by VCU

Check HERE for the details-

Some past winners are listed HERE

It's not major money but these winners have been exceptional poets in the past (with one exception IMO, but that's just IMO)

I have not read the winning book but have his first book and it is quite good.

show me the poetry in sausage biscuits

oh, can you tell me Hardee's (if that's your real name)?

Maybe it's not poetry without gravy-

Best Hour I've Spent in a Long Time

Incredibly inspiring...trust me, stick with it to the end...


Chuck Palahniuk from Grub Street on Vimeo.

Kids and Words at Chop Suey- last chance to sign up!

I'm not sure there are any slots left, but if you're kid is creative and not good with the heat- this is a real great opportunity-

Richmond Young Writers is a great program with exciting and interesting leaders to run your smart kid through all manner of word related activities.

Not to mention the poetry lady is very cool.

Summer Sessions 2010


Summer sessions run Monday-Friday from 2-5 pm at Chop Suey Bookstore in Carytown. Young writers will have the opportunity to explore the craft and fun of creative writing through a variety of imagination-stimulating prompts, journaling, people-watching and more.

Special workshops with professional writers will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 pm. Each week will culminate in a reading of student works-in-progress at the Byrd Theatre at 4:30 pm on Friday afternoon.

Session 1, Ages 10-14 June 21- June 25
Character (Slash Coleman) ** Surrealism (Mike Dulin) ** Poetry (Shann Palmer)


Session 2, Ages 10-14 June 28-July 2
Journalism (Chris Dovi) ** Zine Making 101 (Liz Canfield) ** Fiction (Michele Young-Stone)


Session 3, Ages 10-14 July 5- July 9
Character (Slash Coleman) ** Poetry (Shann Palmer) ** Journalism (Chris Dovi)


Session 4, Ages 14-17 July 12- July 16
Fiction (Michele Young-Stone) ** Surrealism (Mike Dulin) ** Zine Making 101 (Liz Canfield)

Poetry at the Norge Library

June 3, Saturday 11 am

Guy Terrell, Shann Palmer, Carolyn Foronda, Henry Hart, Ed Lull

Reading their original work

Norge Library, Williamsburg

No job at Dominion Power if your daddy works there- oh no!

seems my son can't be hired at Dominion (Va Power) cause his dad works there- wish they'd mentioned that before his very promising interview yesterday

(the boss above the boss decreed it so - even though they would not be working together)

Did you know there are people reading your meter part-time *no benefits* who barely speak English but a collage grad who desperately needs a job can't get one because he's family?

Did you know the agency who is working on filling these positions (part-time) did not know this?

My son needs a job. Anybody?

Hopper and Kipling

isn't the internet great? The things we can revisit!



I've been told Kipling is out of favor but this is a poem I grew up with- I always was annoyed it was addressed to a son, not a daughter- times change.

Disappearing book (from Ron Silliman)

disappearing book no. 1 from disappearing books on Vimeo.

Dead Poets Live at the Poe Museum Thursday 7:00pm

Dead Poets Live

Sponsored by the Dead Poets Society of America
& The Poetry Society of Virginia

May 20, 2010
7:00 P.M.

Poe Museum, 1914 East Main Street, Richmond, VA

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome
Chris Semtner, Curator, Poe Museum

Opening Comments

Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, Former Poet Laureate of Virginia, 2006-2008

Readings

Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda . . . . ... . . Anne Spencer

Hollis E. Pruitt . . . . . . . Andrew Jackson Andrews

Nancy Powell . . .. . . . .  . Margaret Junkin Preston

Ann Shalaski . . . .. . . .  . . . George Palmer Garrett

Edward Lull . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . Joseph F. Awad

Shann Palmer . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Bess Gresham

David Wojahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Levis

Ron Smith . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . Edgar Allan Poe

Closing Comments & Announcement of the Photo / Video Contest

Walter Skold, poet and founder of the Dead Poets Society of America

Refreshments, courtesy of The Poetry Society of Virginia

The Dead Poets Society of America and The Poetry Society of Virginia are grateful

to the Poe Museum for hosting this event.

The new Martin's at Dumbarton Square (and all of them really)

No one asked me (well, actually, the store manager did ask me while I was there and I intend to send this to him) but here are my thoughts on the new “Martin’s” at Dumbarton Square.


Good things - mostly the same great people, friendly as usual and busy trying to find things that had been moved - think of a friend who moves into your house with all their stuff and you can’t find your keys- though everything was really sparkled up, it felt and looked clean. Double coupons every day is nice. This store will close at 10pm- Good call!!!

Uncomfortable things- beer and wine jammed into a very small store, in fact EVERYTHING was jammed in, as if someone forgot to note this is a small store and doesn’t need to have all the items other stores carry. The shelves are crushed with product- it’s not that easy to remove a can or box without knocking things off (I did, twice). Also, everything is piled too high- frankly, all I could think of was “an embarrassment of riches.” In contrast, the meat section is a flat landscape displayed so you have to leer over the bins to see what’s there- and it’s all crammed in, too.

on that note- all those guys in white shirts standing around watching things and talking about the shoppers and stuff- go home- there are capable people in this store who know how to do their jobs.

Sad things - all the ‘cheap’ looking packaging- sorry, GIANT- your logo looks dated (so does the Martin font). I felt like I was in a Dollar Store. There are also so many new brands the variety of sizes is not available, and I guess crammed up so they can get the beer & wine in. I wish someone had done local research to see what works here- it’s not a big city, we have room to spread out a little. A LOT of the new clerks looked uncomfortable. I’m glad for their jobs, though.

Bad things - The hang tags under products are very misleading- at least twice I had to explain to some older shoppers the bottom price is what you SAVE- not what the item costs. Yes, it says so, but it’s difficult to tell, particularly if your vision is not perfect. Believe me, clearer info will help- I’ve stood in line at this store behind an old person arguing over ten cents. The tags don't cleary indicate what is and what isn't on sale- some say 'new price'- huh? It's a new store, all the prices are new.In addition the stores are junked up with displays and freestanding products (I mentioned this on the UkropsInsider survey I sent in). It makes it difficult to negotiate a basket.

Disappointing things - The prices. Sorry. Overall they are not that good- I know my prices and I am a careful shopper- you can fool some of the people but not me (most of the time). I won’t slip over to Kroger (none close) or Food Lion (Yuck) but some of the produce prices in particular make Whole Foods look pretty good. In fact, considering the current emphasis on health and good eating, the produce selection seemed a little wanting. It may be there is more content there but the section is sprinkled with packaged crap- and the vegan/vegetarian selections are tough to locate.

Yes, I will still shop there, I’m loyal and it’s close. I like the people- particularly the deli folks (where prices are a little better). I do hope things shake out and upper management listens to the locals. If they don’t, it’ll just be another big chain full of scuzzy people who don’t care (no matter what they say) selling us stuff we don’t want or need.

In the meantime, there's always farmer’s markets and places like Nadolski’s Butcher Shop in Goochland. Oh yeah, and Whole Foods.

Maybe I’m the dinosaur- but I don’t think so.

Poetry Festival in Williamsburg this weekend!!

Interesting people will be there- including myself, of course/

For more info, go to the Poetry Society of Virginia website.

Sofia Starnes and Eric Pankey will be doing workshops and readings, and many others!

It's probably too late to get meals but it doesn't hurt to email and ask- but the sessions are open to all.

Everybody ought to have a maid...

I knew it. This is my problem, frankly. I really need someone else to take care of me and my stuff so I can write.

And now I have proof...

I write a poem-a-day in April and my house is a mess. And now I have a full week's work and will not be home at all much until next Monday.

So my poetry will suffer!

Ah- maybe that's a good thing- it's not like it matters.

Raise money for Doctors Without Borders and hear great music!!!

http://www.icgr.org/power-of-music-2010-flyer.pdf

Thursday Night
7pm

Be there!!!

A Pulitzer in poetry!! And she's in Richmond Wednesday

Reading at UR Wednesday night!!

http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2010-Poetry

Awarded to “Versed,” by Rae Armantrout (Wesleyan University Press), a book striking for its wit and linguistic inventiveness, offering poems that are often little thought-bombs detonating in the mind long after the first reading.

April is National Poetry Month!

and I have been writing a poem-a-day for the past eight years during this month.

Many of them have been revised (later) and been published.

You can support my efforts by pledging to The American Academy of Poets, where my poem/drafts will be posted for the month (then removed in May).

Money raised is used for education and events.

Poet Kathleen Graber reads First Friday at the Richmond Public Library!

Brodie Herndon Poetry Series
7:00 pm

Join the Friends of the Library for the 2010 Brodie Herndon Poetry lectur at 7:00 pm on Friday, April 2. The program will be held in the Davenport Special Collections Room, lower level of the Main Library.

Kathleen Graber, author of Correspondence, and winner of the 2005 Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize is the 2010 speaker. A recipient of the Hodder Fellowship at Princeton (2007) and the Amy Lowell Travelling Scholarship (2008), Ms. Graber is an assistant professor of English in the Creative Writing Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. A second collection of poetry, The Eternal City, is forthcoming.

April is National Poetry Month

I have created a google grooup (by invitation only) to post a poem-a-day.

If you are interested-

2010 National Poetry Month Poems

Visit this group

I will send you five mini-poetry books for $5.

I will send you five mini-poetry books for $5.

What an interesting site this is...

guess we'll see if anyone bites.

A poet dies, a poem lives

posting from Avoiding the Muse

CONVERSATION


We smile at each other
and I lean back against the wicker couch.
How does it feel to be dead? I say.
You touch my knees with your blue fingers.
And when you open your mouth,
a ball of yellow light falls to the floor
and burns a hole through it.
Don't tell me, I say. I don't want to hear.
Did you ever, you start,
wear a certain kind of dress
and just by accident,
so inconsequential you barely notice it,
your fingers graze that dress
and you hear the sound of a knife cutting paper,
you see it too
and you realize how that image
is simply the extension of another image,
that your own life
is a chain of words
that one day will snap.
Words, you say, young girls in a circle, holding hands,
and beginning to rise heavenward
in their confirmation dresses,
like white helium balloons,
the wreathes of flowers on their heads spinning,
and above all that,
that's where I'm floating,
and that's what it's like
only ten times clearer,
ten times more horrible.
Could anyone alive survive it?

--Ai (October 21, 1947 – March 20, 2010)

and another poet survives, facing death for her words

Help art6 Survive! Call for Entries!

Call for Entries: "Women and Words"


A juried show at art6 Gallery for the month of April as part of MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts 2010. Curated by Shann Palmer.

Women artists and writers are encouraged to submit (in collaboration or individually) for this exhibit. Works must include text as part of the work. All media will be considered, though two-dimensional work will be favored for this particular show as we have limited areas for pedestals.

Size should be under 4 by 4 feet, please inquire before bringing or mailing anything larger. If a work is mailed, please include return postage if it is not selected or does not sell. Up to two pieces per artist will be considered.

The entry fee is as follows: $10.00 per piece for Art6 gallery members, $15.00 per piece for non-members. (Collaborators may send an additional piece each or another collaboration with a fee).

There is room for a few works by men about women (or women's words), but this is primarily an exhibit for women. All rules apply to men as written below.

We encourage you to price your work to sell, you will receive 70% of the selling fee, the gallery 30%. You may donate part or all of the proceeds to the gallery if you would like to help our gallery stay open, but this will not impact whether or not your piece is accepted.

We will accept work March 20th and March 27th during our Saturday hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Please call to make an appointment on other days- DO NOT COME TO THE GALLERY WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT ON OTHER DAYS. Call 804-343-1406, email at art6ebroad@gmail.com or contact Shann Palmer at 804-335-9403 to make an appointment or with questions.

The show runs from Friday April 2, 2010(opening night) through Saturday April 24, 2010. Works Must be picked up Sunday,April 25th during the hours of 2:30 to 4p.m. The gallery will not be responsible for works left after that date unless other arrangements have been made in advance with Shann

Poetry at VCU- Linda Bierds

Acclaimed Poet Linda Bierds Reads at VCU
March 11, 2010 at 8:00 pm
VCU Harris Hall Auditorium
1015 Floyd Avenue

The Department of English and the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University are pleased to host a reading by acclaimed poet, Linda Bierds. The reading will take place on Thursday, March 11, at 8 pm at the VCU Harris Hall Auditorium (1015 Floyd Avenue - PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A VENUE CHANGE FROM THE PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT).
Bierds has published eight books of poetry: Flights of the Harvest-Mare; The Stillness, the Dancing; Heart and Perimeter; The Ghost Trio (a 1994 Notable Book selection of the American Library Association); The Profile Makers (winner of the Pen West Poetry Prize); The Seconds; First Hand and Flight: New and Selected Poems (Putnam 2008) Her awards include four Pushcart Prizes, the Virginia Quarterly Review's 2005 Emily Clark Balch Poetry Prize, and fellowships from the Ingram Merrill, the Guggenheim, and the MacArthur foundations, and twice from the NEA. She is a professor of English at the University of Washington.

Ms. Bierds will also be available for an open Q&A session at 4PM that Thursday afternoon at 4Pm in Hibbs Hall room 308. This session is free and open to the public.

This reading at VCU is one of several events for the Spring of 2010 sponsored by the VCU Department of English and the Graduate Writers Association. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact (804) 828-1329.

Sorry I'm going to miss this- I'll be at a rehearsal! But YOU should go!

Poetry Wednesday night at the Library of Virginia!

2010 Series Kicks Off with Poets Jake Adam York and Kathleen Graber


RICHMOND, VA – The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Blackbird/New Virginia Review, the Library of Virginia and Chop Suey Books present the first installment in the 2010 Fresh Ink literary series on Wednesday, March 3. The on-going series of readings by emerging authors continues with a chapbook festival and a fiction reading later in the year. Poets Jake Adam York and Kathleen Graber read from their work beginning at 6 p.m. at the Library of Virginia. The reading is free and open to the public.
Jake Adam York is the author of three books of poems: Murder Ballads (2005); A Murmuration of Starlings (2008); and Persons Unknown (2010), forthcoming in the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry as an editor’s selection. His work has been nominated seven times for the Pushcart Prize and has placed in numerous competitions. York’s poems have appeared in Shenandoah, Oxford American, Greensboro Review, Southern Review, Poetry Daily, and other journals. His work of poetic history, The Architecture of Address: The Monument and Public Speech in American Poetry, was published by Routledge in 2005. York is an associate professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Colorado Denver, where he directs an undergraduate Creative Writing program and produces Copper Nickel with his students. York is also a contributing editor for Shenandoah, a co-editor of the online journal storySouth, and a founding editor of the electronic journal Thicket.

Kathleen Graber’s first collection of poetry, Correspondence, was the winner of the 2005 Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize. She has been the recipient of fellowships from the Rona Jaffe Foundation and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. She was the 2007 Hodder Fellow in Poetry at Princeton University and the 2008 Amy Lowell Traveling Scholar. She is a member of the creative writing faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, and her new collection of poems, The Eternal City, is forthcoming this summer from Princeton University Press. Poems from the new book are forthcoming this spring in Blackbird, The New Yorker, The Kenyon Review, and AGNI.

Fresh Ink is supported in part by the Carole Weinstein Endowment for Creative Writing at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

me and the RTD

“I never stop talking,” Shann Palmer said as she stood on the ragged wooden floor of art6, a gallery on East Broad Street. Palmer is passionate about so many things—the gallery, downtown Richmond, poetry, music, life in general—that her passion spills out in words.

Often, in fact, the words are written. Palmer is a poet known around Richmond for giving readings, organizing readings, volunteering at readings and encouraging other poets to read. She’s also a church organist and choir director.

Palmer is curator of “Women and Words,” an exhibit and series of readings that is art6’s contribution to
Minds Wide Open. She expects the exhibit will be “90 percent by women,” but she will include a few
works by men that pay tribute to women or are collaborations with a woman.

“It’s a marriage between spoken word and art,” she said. The visual art for the exhibit must include text
in some way, whether it’s a collage made from pages torn out of a book or words painted on the wall or even “a poem put in a frame and hung on the wall.”

Although art6 has had women-focused exhibits and literary events numerous times before, Minds Wide
Open is another opportunity for women to show their work and receive promotional assistance from
the statewide initiative.

“I’m certain there will be work created new for this exhibit,” Palmer said. “Some of us have trouble not
doing something new.”

“Women and Words” will run during April in honor of National Poetry Month.
beginning April 2 check www.art6.org for updates.

photo by Alexa Wekch Edlund for the RTD

article by Angela Lehman-Rios

The scary truth of too much poetry

The inevitable truth is here-

I know exactly how bookninja feels, at an event I attended the other night at least two people wrote something to read WHILE OTHER PEOPLE WERE READING. They were not participating in the experience, they were trying put some unfinished thoughts on paper so they could get up in front of everyone and share their mental drool. If I want raw, I'll eat my carrots uncooked.

That's not craft, that's not attention to words and the magic they hold. That's just masturbating in front of a microphone.

Yes, I host readings. Yes, I support my local poets. Jotting down your thoughts, journaling is not poetry. Writing while other people are reading is rude. Period.

(to be fair, I was not the host- who did an excellent job- and the event was an open mike, not a poetry reading. I'm still sick of it.)

Women and words exhibit coming to art6

Women writers and artists wanted for an exhibit during April celebrating women and words.

If you are a poet or novelist, readings will be held. If you are a visual artist, you may collaborate with a woman writer or exhibit your work that has text as part of the art.

Work due by March 28th at art 6, 6 East Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219

For more information or specific entry requirements email shannp (at) gmail (dot) com

Books for Sale, mostly poetry (MORE!!)

Books for sale cheap- make me an offer ($3-$5 each) for one or more- all are paperback unless otherwise noted, most are poetry (a fewcommentary) If you are in or around Richmond, email me and we'll meet somewhere. Sometime you just have to make room for stuff.

(revised list 2-16-2010)

LIST ONE

Adair, Virginia Hamilton Ants on the melon (hardback)
Aiken, Conrad Selected poems
Alvarez, Julia Homecoming (poems)
Amichai, Yehuda The Selected Poems of...
Ammons, A,R, The Really Short Poems of....
Ashbery, John April Galleons
Belieu, Erin Infanta
Bendall, Mollie Dark Summer
Bernstein, Charles Dark City
Berrigan, Ted Selected Poems
Berrigan, Daniel And the Risen Bread
Carroll, Jim Fear of Dreaming
Clark, Jeff Music and Suicide
Clifton, Lucille The Book of Light
Cohen, Leonard The Spice Box of Earth
collection SLAM
collection Ain’t I a Woman (Hardback)
collection Victorian Woman Poets 1830-1900
Crawford, Robert Talkies
DiPrima, Diane Pieces of a Song
Disch, Thomas The Castle of indukgence
Doran, Geri Resin
Dunn, Stephen The Insistence of beauty
Glazner, Gary Poetry Slam
Gluck, Louise meadowlands
Gray, Janet A Hundred Flowers
Hegley, John Love Cuts
Holstad, Scott C. Artifacts (chapbook)
Jewel A Night Without Armor (hardback)
Levertov, Denise Poems 1968-1972
Logan, William Macbeth in Venice
Lourde, Audre The Marvelous Mathematics of Distance
Mueller, Lisel The Private Life
Nisbet, Jim Small Apt
Plath, Sylvia Ariel
Reed, Lou Between Thoughts and Expressions collected lyrics
Rich, Adrienne What is Found There (plus 2 other books in one)
Talcott, William Benita’s Book
Turow, David The Torchbearer

LIST TWO (even more)

List 2


Bain & Beatty Norton Intro to Lit 6th ed HC
Barratt, Michele ed Virginia Woolf on Woman and Writing
Bryan, edited Where We Stand Women Poets on Literary Tradition
Budbill, David Why I Came in Judeville
Clark, Tom Like Real People
Fenza, D.W. The Interlude
Gallassi, Jonathan North Street
Gluck, Louise Vita Nova
Graham, Jorie The Dream of the Unified Field
Graves, Robert Poems About War
Heany, Seamus Opened Ground Selected poems 66-96
Heyen, William Diana, Charles, and the Queen
Kennedy & Gioia An Intro to Fiction 2nd ed.
Kirchway, Karl The Engrafted Word
Lattimore, Richmond The Odyssey of Homer
Levin, Phillis The Penguin Book of the Sonnet (signed)
Lowell, Robert Selected Poems
Lux, Thomas new & Selected Poems
Matthews, William Selected poems & Translations 1969-91
McCartney, Paul Blackbird Singing
McGrath, Campbell Pax Atomica
Merwin, W.S. The Vixen
Moss, Thyllias Small Congregations
Nemcosky, K.B. Drift
Olds, Sharon The Wellspring
Percham, Robert Mythic Instinct Afternoon
Pinsky, Robert Jersey Rain HB
Pinsky, Robert The Figured Wheel
Rivard, David Wise Poem
Roethke, Theodore The Collected poems of...
Sappho A garland trans Jim Powell HB
Schmidt, Michael Lives of the Poet
Seaton, translation The Wine of Endless Song from the Yuan Dynasty
Shapiro, Alan Covenant
Simic, Charles The World doesn’t end
Smith, Patti Auguries of Innocense
St. John, David The Red leaves of Night
St. John, David The Face
Stevens, Wallace The Collected Poems of ... HB
Suziki, Shunyru Zen Mind, beginner’s Mind
Swenson, Cole Goest
Tost, Tony Invisible bride
Tweedy, Jeff Adult Head
Wakoski, Diane Jason the Sailor
Wakoski, Diane Medea
Walcott, Derek Collected poems 1948-84
Waldman, Anne Structure of the World Compared to a Bubble
Wat, Phyllis The Fish Soup Bowl Expedition
Watts, Alan The Spirit of Zen
Watts, Alan The Book
Whitman, Walt Everyman’s poetry edition
Wiese, Anne Pierson Floating City
Williams, W.C. Paterson
Wright, Charles Appalachia
Wright, Charles Black Zodiac HB
Wright, Charles Chickamauga
Yeats, W.B. Great Irish Poets HB
Yeats, W.B. The Collected Poems of .....

write shannp (at) gmail (dot) com

Tony Hoagland's new poetry book is here!!!

Waiting for my copies of Tony Hoagland's new book
Unincorporated Persons in the Late Honda Dynasty

It's on the way from Fountain Books (my favorite local independent bookseller). I finally had to call and say "mail it". I don't know when we will have spring/no snow-

Here's a tiny bit for you to savor:

_______________________________________________
 Dialectical Materialism




My god there is so much sorrow in the grocery store!

You would have to be high

on the fumes of the piped-in pan flutes

of commodified Peruvian folk music



not to be driven practically crazy

with awe and shame,

not to weep at the scale of subjected matter:



the ripped-up etymologies of kiwi fruit and bratwurst,

the roads paved with dead languages,

the jungles digested by foreign money.

Poetry This Week- Perloff at UR and Art After Hours at VMFA

WEDNESDAY -

UR Writers Series: Marjorie Perloff — The American po­etry critic and author in pro­gram at 7 p.m. in the Brown-Alley Room, Weinstein Hall, University of Richmond. Free.

THURSDAY -
Art After Hours at the Virginia Museum- Tarfia Faizullah

Maybe the snow will be gone enough to get a place to park!

Art After Hours at the Virginia Museum- poetry and more

January 28

MUSIC: Crown Vic - Alt-Country Rock

6:30 & 7 pm ART OF POETRY: Caroline Cahill

7 & 7:30 pm TOPIC TOUR: Art a la carte

for more info go HERE

What He Said...

read about the supposed demise of poetry readers here

Dream On:

                                    James Tate

Some people go their whole lives
without ever writing a single poem.
Extraordinary people who don't hesitate
to cut somebody's heart or skull open.
They go to baseball games with the greatest of ease.
and play a few rounds of golf as if it were nothing.
These same people stroll into a church
as if that were a natural part of life.
Investing money is second nature to them.
They contribute to political campaigns
that have absolutely no poetry in them
and promise none for the future.
They sit around the dinner table at night
and pretend as though nothing is missing.
Their children get caught shoplifting at the mall
and no one admits that it is poetry they are missing.
The family dog howls all night,
lonely and starving for more poetry in his life.
Why is it so difficult for them to see
that, without poetry, their lives are effluvial.
Sure, they have their banquets, their celebrations,
croquet, fox hunts, their sea shores and sunsets,
their cocktails on the balcony, dog races,
and all that kissing and hugging, and don't
forget the good deeds, the charity work,
nursing the baby squirrels all through the night,
filling the birdfeeders all winter,
helping the stranger change her tire.
Still, there's that disagreeable exhalation
from decaying matter, subtle but everpresent.
They walk around erect like champions.
They are smooth-spoken and witty.
When alone, rare occasion, they stare
into the mirror for hours, bewildered.
There was something they meant to say, but didn't:
"And if we put the statue of the rhinoceros
next to the tweezers, and walk around the room three times,
learn to yodel, shave our heads, call
our ancestors back from the dead--"
poetrywise it's still a bust, bankrupt.
You haven't scribbled a syllable of it.
You're a nowhere man misfiring
the very essence of your life, flustering
nothing from nothing and back again.
The hereafter may not last all that long.
Radiant childhood sweetheart,
secret code of everlasting joy and sorrow,
fanciful pen strokes beneath the eyelids:
all day, all night meditation, knot of hope,
kernel of desire, pure ordinariness of life
seeking, through poetry, a benediction
or a bed to lie down on, to connect, reveal,
explore, to imbue meaning on the day's extravagant labor.
And yet it's cruel to expect too much.
It's a rare species of bird
that refuses to be categorized.
Its song is barely audible.
It is like a dragonfly in a dream--
here, then there, then here again,
low-flying amber-wing darting upward
then out of sight.
And the dream has a pain in its heart
the wonders of which are manifold,
or so the story is told.

(article pointed out by poet Sam Rasnake)

Art After Hours- Tonight!! Poet Sandra Beasley! MoDebree!!

serious fun will be had by all at the Virginia Museum!

6-9pm
poetry 6:30 & 7:30

come out of the cold rain!!

$10, cash bar, cash for food or just dance and party down!

Contemporary poetry tricks (and tips)

This is a great post over at HTML blog-

moves in contemporary poetry

I do many of these- hmmm- good to know.

Shann Palmer reading poetry for First Friday

Come to the Richmond Public Library and hear Shann Palmer read her poetry along with Tom Prunier in their acclaimed show "Big Man, Little Woman."

"We begin at 7pm and go until they throw us out. We will have chapbooks and other items for sale." Shann Palmer (in an interview for her blog page.)

"The lightning round had me rolling in laughter- these two really know how to sling words!" William Talcott, The Dead Poets Literary Journal, San Francisco.

"Why isn't Shann Palmer famous?" Stephanie Scott, La Porte Herald (Texas)

Part of the First Friday venue, Shann Palmer is coordinator at art6 gallery, one of the Style Magazine Richmonders of the Year. Tom Prunier is a nationally known Slam Poet.

Happy new year- here's a poem for today!

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Come to the Richmond Public Library, downtown branch, for First Friday on January 8th!!

At 7pm, Tom Prunier and Shann Palmer will be reprising (and revising) their show:

BIG MAN/Little Woman

We read our original poetry, have a little poem lightning round, and tell you what's what in our inimitable ways.


and yes, I know January 1st is First Friday, but the downtown arts community decided that was just not a good idea- so we moved it!

Poetry reading video

here's me reading using my new FLIP camera-

poetry- Big Man and Little Woman tonight!

Come tonight!!

8pm

art6, 6 east broad st

$5

An interview with Tony Hoagland, my favorite poet!

Check out this page- bookmark if you love poetry!

Tony Hoagland will be reading at the Library of Congress this Thursday at 6:45pm.

Would anyone like to go? I can pay for gas.

FIRST FRIDAY Fundraiser PREVIEW TONIGHT at art6 and Artspace

FIRST FRIDAY PREVIEW TONIGHT at art6 and Artspace

6-10 pm, tickets reserved by phone (343-1406) are $25 (pay at will-call) $30 at the door.

There will be donated platters from local restaurants, a free drink at each gallery, cash bar, and a chance to see the THINKsmall5 show before anyone else in Richmond.

It's also a fundraiser and we need the funds. Grants have been cut, fewer people can afford art, rent is up and revenue is down.

We need you. Please come and see the art, It will be a smaller crowd than First Friday and a lot of great art sells tonight, you'll miss your chance if you wait.

Every two years, THINKsmall happens! This year we have over 300 artists involved from Short Pump to Budapest.

Come support local art, we won't be here long if you don't!

James River Writers Tonight at 6pm

Check the site HERE for more info

It's all about the mystery!!

See ya there!

An interview with Shann Palmer

Check this out over at Poetic Asides.

Are you ready to commit to writing a Poem a Day in November???

work in progress

I'm busy working on the new tiny book material for the Richmond Zine Fest at Gallery 5, THINKsmall at art6 and ARTSPACE, and whatever else comes along.

I love the rainy days, but I could use a little more heat!

When I moved to Richmond in 1971 from Tucson, Arizona I didn't own a winter coat. I don't remember if it was this dreary and cold or not (probably not since we set a record low high yesterday) but I was so cold I went to Thalhimer's and bought a winter coat at full price! It was a brown houndstooth wool maxi-coat with a hood. I loved that coat- it was warm and very fashionable at the time.

Sassoon haircut and new coat, black short boots- I was adorable!!

yeah.