Next! The Sealey Challenge, Day 1: Backstroking

I have decided to take up The Sealey Challenge and read 31 books of poetry 31 days during August - including, and perhaps mostly, chapbooks. 

I intend to note the titles in this blog, and because that somehow doesn't seem enough of a challenge on top of being in two poetry critique groups, I also intend to submit poetry daily in August as I did in April.

So far, I've had five publications accept my April submissions. A few places still have not responded, and many have declined. But five acceptances, even if some won't be published until next year, is decent, and makes me happy. Let's see if work during this month can result in more good news. 

Today's Sealey Challenge title: Backstroking, a 24-poem chapbook by Susan Cohen, Berkeley resident and fellow Pacific University MFA. The poems are smart, compassionate, and insightful. Primarily personal lyrics, but also some creative takes such as a persona poem (Sherlock Holmes) and a poem that addresses the Yiddish language.