The Practical Poet

Pinch Release

2009-03-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

My husband informs me today is World Poetry Day (as declared by UNESCO in 1999). Who knew?

A few weeks ago, I was congratulated by a fellow poet for having my name published in Poets & Writers. The issue announced the winners of the Pinch poetry contest. I hadn't realized that my name was in writing at P&W - and even though it's only an announcement, I'm excited and grateful. It's a start.

The Pinch publication itself is now out. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the launch party in Memphis. But I'm sure it will be fun. This is the month of deadlines for many contests. I've sent off a few poems to one local contest, and will send a few more out. And daily, I read poetry and then write. It's a new practice, a new commitment. And while the first couple of weeks of this morning ritual seemed fruitless, it has led to a few new pieces, and has become much more gratifying. If you pay attention to the Muse, it seems, she visits more often.

Rebecca Foust's new book

2009-02-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

The prolific local poet, Rebecca Foust, has a new book out.

Mom's Canoe, is available at the fabulous Book Passage and through amazon. See more details at her web site, which also has a link to upcoming readings.

I was blown away by Rebecca's list of publication for 2008-2009. Obviously, she's been busy.

Since July

2008-12-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

Four things to note:

Kay Ryan, one of my absolute favorites, to whom I've paid homage in past blog entries including this one, was named Poet Laureate.

The Petaluma Poetry Walk in September; a fine day of poetic feeding.

About three weeks ago, I received the contract and galley copy for proofing for "I Am In Love With Old Men," the Pinch prize-winner. It's exciting to see it as presented, with the font that will be used, etc. And exciting to sign a contract of any kind for a poem.

And tonight, I saw Mary Oliver read. I have a new heroine, a new role model. If I can grow to be as true to myself, as clear in my vision, as dedicated to my work as Mary Oliver - well! then, maybe I'll have done something of worth with words. I'll at least have lived honestly and well. She's amazing. I'm so grateful that I've had a chance to see her in person, hear her read her words and speak to us between poems. I think: Okay. Now how to make that happen for myself? Not the adoring audience, sold-out house, sold-out books at the sale table, the winding line waiting for signings.But how to create a body of work that's as solid as hers, as insightful, brutally honest and beautiful?

My voice, my vision put out there for the world to have or not have, but put out there all the same because some things, like the way the piercing specks of Venus and Jupiter were anchored by a crescent moon last night, and the way I'm starting to understand that this life is finite but infinitely beautiful, must be written, must be said.

Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show Reading

2008-07-10T07:51:00.001-07:00

Here's a brief recap of last Tuesday's reading at Rebound Books in San Rafael.
I read about 8 poems and was the last scheduled reader before a short open mike.

The other readers were
Sam Doctors
Laurel Feigenbaum
Jennifer Gennari
Barbara Mackowiak

all of whom were quite different and quite good.

Sam Doctors' work is something between cynical and whimsical, with a focus on philosophy and nature. You can find more of it at lulu.com.

Laurel read poems of observation and experience, including a lovely piece about Mary in Renaissance annunciation paintings another one about Donatello's David.

Jennifer and I seem to share an interest in writing about the natural world and our responses to it. She's also part of a local poetry group that reads monthly at a coffee shop in Novato, and I hope to hear more of her work in the future.

Barbara's poetry reminded me of what I love about Kay Ryan. Smart poems, a little quirky and philosophical and full of surprises.

For future readings, see the schedule here.

Fourth

2008-07-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Fourth

The blues
shot out from the orgy of white
the greens sprung from the blues,
all brilliant fire
living angels' wars
flashing in the dark eyes,
coloring the hair
of the crowd of burning witnesses
below. The notes of music lost, a timeless
beat echoing in a thousand wrists and
necks stretched up,
and a man behind me says

"Science made that, son."

Then red and red
another red
and white! again and blue and red
and whistle-boom-thud all at once
the gasp
goes out from all our mouths
at that one
at the next one
and then one more green
and look at that and no,
he hasn't finished yet,
he adds:

"The Chinese invented fireworks. With science, son."

There's more. Like when and why and how
while "wow!" his neighbor cries at
a triple-flower sizzle-boom

Look at the after image in the lull between
events in the sky's own circus,
at the reflections in the teeth
of the smiling mob.
Smell the hot tired sweat black-powder
magic of it all
and do not tell your son that science made that, son.

c. 1998

Rebecca Foust's New Book is Out!

2008-06-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Rebecca Foust on the release of her new book, Dark Card.

Although I only know Rebecca through hearing her at Marin Poetry Center events, including a panel discussion on the Professionalization of Poetry, I can tell you that she's extremely well spoken and well read, and that her poetry is powerful and evocative (thus the long list of publications and awards under "News" on her web site.) If you're in the area, I highly recommend the reading and the launch party. Here are more details:

Dark Card

Poetry about raising a son with Asperger’s Syndrome
Order the book here, or via phone: (800) 826-8911

SNEAK PREVIEW READING:
Saturday, June 21, 4:00-6:30 pm
REBOUND BOOKSTORE
1541 4th Street, San Rafael

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Saturday, September 13, 7:00 pm
BOOK PASSAGE
51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera

Enjoy!

The Pinch Contest Results

2008-05-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, the 2008 contest results were posted on The Pinch's website. I'm grateful to Sandra Meek for her decision to select one of my poems as this year's winner.

This has been an encouraging and humbling experience. It's wonderful to have the recognition, but I'm certain there were other fantastic poems that could have won as well. So it's one of those successes that springs from both hard work and luck.

"I am in Love with Old Men" will appear in the next issue of The Pinch. It's a poem I'd brought to a workshop hosted by Ellen Bass with Joseph Millar and Dorianne Laux, and I'm also grateful to the participants of that workshop, as well as to the faithful and ever-encouraging and insightful members of my writer's group, for their feedback.

The Launch

2008-04-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

The timing for the inauguration of this blog seems fortuitous.

* It's National Poetry month, for one thing - at least for a couple more hours here in California.

* Two of my poems appear in the April edition of a local feminist newspaper, Women's Voices: "Home From the Concert" and "I Want to Forget the Moon Was My Lover."

* I received word by email a couple of days ago that I'm to read at a bookstore over the summer as part of the Marin Poetry Center's Traveling Show.

* And yesterday, I had the most delightful voicemail on my cell phone from the editor of one of the poetry journals to whom I'd submitted poems in March for their annual poetry competition. She said that the contest been highly competitive this year - and that I had won First Place. The announcement isn't official yet, so I won't reveal the specifics tonight. But suffice it to say that I'm honored and thrilled and humbled by my good fortune and the judge's opinion.

The links on this page are far from complete, and the layout is unfinished and a little bit of a jumble - but thus it is sometimes, with beginnings and births.