Charles Simic and, standing in for the ill Bruce Weigl, Laure-Ann Bosselaer discussed their journals and their influence on the poems they’ve written. Other than mentioning minutia such as “lined” or “unlined” journals and their size, the discussion ran toward a couple of interesting yet unrelated points. The first came from Bosselaer who explained the meaning of the seldom used word “sempiternal,” a word which I have used in a poem of my own. I’ll let you discover its meaning for yourself. The second point as stated by Simic was “Most poets do not understand their own metaphors” to which he added “Metaphor proves the existence of heaven and hell.” I’m curious as to how you might interpret this last statement.
Kevin Larimer of Poets & Writers magazine moderated a panel discussion on Issues and Contemporary Poetry. The magazine will launch an updated web site that will include a calendar of events later this month. Tree Swenson, chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, described that organization’s role as the “serotonin of the poetry world.” New to the Academy, www.poets.org/mobile.
Lee Briccetti of Poets House (http://www.poetshouse.org/) considers that organization the “physical space and spiritual home for poetry.” Poets House receives 2000 new titles each year and maintains a Directory of Poetry Books. It will move to its new rent-free location in Battery Park City in the fall of this year.
The Poetry Society of America (http://www.poetrysociety.org/), represented by Alice Quinn, boasts having placed poems in the subways and buses of 16 cities. It also maintains a chapbook fellowship program which publishes 4 new titles annually.
Lastly, John Barr of the Poetry Foundation would have you visit http://www.poetryfoundation.org/ where anyone may download any of 6500 poems for free.
Also available online is access to the Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/poetry where its Poetry at Noon reading series items are updated every May.
All panelists agreed that poetry audiences are growing.
I attended several panels on lit-mag publishing as well as a few on poetics including one on the poetry of Marianne Moore (Timothy Liu was one of the panelists) and another on the poetic sequence.
The most memorable reading was on the poetry of grief and faith organized by Allison Granucci of Blue Flower Arts. Li-Young Lee, Claudia Emerson, Mary Karr, C.K. Williams and Robert Bly read. Lee, while still never raising his head to look at the audience, was more composed than when I last saw him read for BOA in 2006. Emerson and Williams essentially read the same poems they had read at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival the week before AWP. Mary Karr, whose work both in poetry and prose I admire very much, was a big disappointment. Hers was the briefest reading of the group. She also selected poems from her book Sinners Welcome that were the least representative of either grief or faith. As to Bly, his personality overshadowed the reading as he inserted explanations into the poems as he read them and often repeated himself. He's still quite a character.
Finally, during the Bennington cocktail party Ed Ochester collapsed much to the horror of those of us standing near him. Ochester is no small man so seeing him crumble was all the more dramatic. When the paramedics finally arrived to take him to hospital, he was pale but responsive, even raising his fist as they wheeled him down the corridor. It has since been disclosed that he was rushed into surgery to repair an aortic aneuryism, definitely a life-threatening event (my grandmother's third husband did not survive this type of crisis). At last report, he is doing well though not yet ready for visitors.
Feel free to add your thoughts about AWP.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Palm Beach Poetry Festival: Final Notes
Friday evening, Claudia Emerson (my workshop leader) and Campbell McGrath gave their readings. McGrath read mostly from his new work. Emerson spoke about what influenced the poems she read. She had been the dean of a boarding school and has written poems on the subject. Those of us from her workshop tried to do the "wave" at the end of her reading but weren't quite coordinated enough to make it work. The thought was what mattered.
Saturday brought more of the workshop participants' readings. Emerson's workshop read first. My selection was my poem "On Arriving in India and Walking the Streets of Mumbai in Monsoon Season" which I wrote for Lorrie Divers's father since he had traveled there extensively during his career. I felt it important to read this particular poem since Mr. Divers passed away New Year's day.
Saturday afternoon all of the workshop leaders gave a brief talk on their most "beloved" poems. Emerson and Sharon Olds both selected from Dickinson. Addonizio chose Whitman. I'd be happy to tell you the others' selections if only I could find my notes...
Sharon Olds and C.K. Williams were the final poets to read on Saturday evening. Olds read the audience onto a train of emotions with her interspersing her more personal familial poems with more humorous recent work. The most impressive poem she read is the title poem from her forthcoming book One Secret Thing. The poem centers around her bedside presence at her mother's death watch. The speaker of the poem describes moistening the lips and inner tissues of the mother's painful mouth. This resonated so well with me because that is an act I could not perform myself while at my own mother's deathbed when her mouth had become an entire cracked wound.
I would like to say that I enjoyed Williams's reading though I found myself unable to connect with his poetry as he read. The only poem I specifically recall was "The Dog" though I can't say it truly reached me on a visceral level since the speaker of the poem behaved in an unremorseful and judgemental way.
I would highly recommend this Poetry Festival to any poet who seeks serious consideration of one's work and who is willing to give the same. You will probably never find me at a conference in the mountains, any mountains, but I'll be motivated to be anywhere there's a beach and powerful poetry. Should my dog ever accompany me I may not return to the tundra in Rochester.
Saturday brought more of the workshop participants' readings. Emerson's workshop read first. My selection was my poem "On Arriving in India and Walking the Streets of Mumbai in Monsoon Season" which I wrote for Lorrie Divers's father since he had traveled there extensively during his career. I felt it important to read this particular poem since Mr. Divers passed away New Year's day.
Saturday afternoon all of the workshop leaders gave a brief talk on their most "beloved" poems. Emerson and Sharon Olds both selected from Dickinson. Addonizio chose Whitman. I'd be happy to tell you the others' selections if only I could find my notes...
Sharon Olds and C.K. Williams were the final poets to read on Saturday evening. Olds read the audience onto a train of emotions with her interspersing her more personal familial poems with more humorous recent work. The most impressive poem she read is the title poem from her forthcoming book One Secret Thing. The poem centers around her bedside presence at her mother's death watch. The speaker of the poem describes moistening the lips and inner tissues of the mother's painful mouth. This resonated so well with me because that is an act I could not perform myself while at my own mother's deathbed when her mouth had become an entire cracked wound.
I would like to say that I enjoyed Williams's reading though I found myself unable to connect with his poetry as he read. The only poem I specifically recall was "The Dog" though I can't say it truly reached me on a visceral level since the speaker of the poem behaved in an unremorseful and judgemental way.
I would highly recommend this Poetry Festival to any poet who seeks serious consideration of one's work and who is willing to give the same. You will probably never find me at a conference in the mountains, any mountains, but I'll be motivated to be anywhere there's a beach and powerful poetry. Should my dog ever accompany me I may not return to the tundra in Rochester.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Palm Beach Poetry Festival: Day Three
After attending the first of two participant readings this afternoon, I made my way to the beach (finally). While the water temperature was a bit too cold, even for me in my northern winter coat of excess fat, I walked in the surf as the tide began to come in, the coolness of the sand therapeutic for my aching feet.
Later, a local shuttle driver flagged me down on my way to tonight's readings. My feet gratefully accepted not knowing the pronouncement to follow. The driver, in what could best be considered an oracular manner, insisted that I remain in Del Ray Beach and not return to frozen Lake Ontario soil. Politesse? Of course. Good PR? Sure. But he repeated his insistence as I made my way off the shuttle, even after I had told him of my need to be in Manhattan next week. Such events do make one wonder...
Lola Haskins read first this evening, which was labelled "Florida Poets" night. In some ways she could be labelled a caricature of a poet; despite her tall, lean figure she always dresses in poet's black, right down to the cast she wore on her broken leg. Haskins has memorized all the poems she has ever written, pehaps not such a tremendous surpise considering that up until recently she taught computer science and web design--she has an analytical mind pre-occupied by detail. She performed her work with grace and an elegance not often seen on the literary stage.
Spencer Reece followed Haskins. Reece, who is hoping to leave his Florida clerk's life for the seminary in CT, had many family members in attendance. Dressed as smartly as ever, as his Brooks Brothers position demands, Reece exhibited a more relaxed demeanor behind the podium than when I first heard his work at Bennington. In addition to reading a couple of selections from his prize winning book A Clerk's Tale, he read two new pieces, both rather lengthy, one extremely personal dealing with the murder of his cousin many years ago. Reece is a sensitive soul; tears canaled his face as he read the latter poem. He may very well become the wonderful hospice chaplain he aspires to be.
Later, a local shuttle driver flagged me down on my way to tonight's readings. My feet gratefully accepted not knowing the pronouncement to follow. The driver, in what could best be considered an oracular manner, insisted that I remain in Del Ray Beach and not return to frozen Lake Ontario soil. Politesse? Of course. Good PR? Sure. But he repeated his insistence as I made my way off the shuttle, even after I had told him of my need to be in Manhattan next week. Such events do make one wonder...
Lola Haskins read first this evening, which was labelled "Florida Poets" night. In some ways she could be labelled a caricature of a poet; despite her tall, lean figure she always dresses in poet's black, right down to the cast she wore on her broken leg. Haskins has memorized all the poems she has ever written, pehaps not such a tremendous surpise considering that up until recently she taught computer science and web design--she has an analytical mind pre-occupied by detail. She performed her work with grace and an elegance not often seen on the literary stage.
Spencer Reece followed Haskins. Reece, who is hoping to leave his Florida clerk's life for the seminary in CT, had many family members in attendance. Dressed as smartly as ever, as his Brooks Brothers position demands, Reece exhibited a more relaxed demeanor behind the podium than when I first heard his work at Bennington. In addition to reading a couple of selections from his prize winning book A Clerk's Tale, he read two new pieces, both rather lengthy, one extremely personal dealing with the murder of his cousin many years ago. Reece is a sensitive soul; tears canaled his face as he read the latter poem. He may very well become the wonderful hospice chaplain he aspires to be.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Day One Addendum & Day Two
Day One finished with readings given by Malena Morling and Major Jackson. Morling, who once taught at Syracuse University, has an engaging voice and a distinctive style that pricks the listener's ear. She did read a poem referencing places in the Syracuse area, something my Syracuse native friends might appreciate.
Despite my acquaintance with Major during a workshop at Bennington, where he still teaches in the low-res MFA program, I had not heard him read his own work. Major reads with a quiet but compelling voice; his poems could be described as an tonic in this seemingly pervasive climate of cultural and personal human confusion.
After the second of four workshops with Emerson and the other participants, I feel gratified to know that this conference attracts serious poets and not merely hobbyists. The feedback given is sincere, precise and beneficial, even when slightly painful. This is, however, what I am in attendance to receive, especially in regard to my ongoing struggle with certain narrative poems.
The evening's readers were Kim Addonizio and Thomas Lux. Addonizio held my attention more, perhaps because I am more familiar with her work and her reading style since she was a headline poet at the first RochesterInk Poetry Festival in 2005. I would be reluctant to say that Lux's reading was not entrancing, just that Addonizio is a difficult personality to follow. Most fun was their collaboration; Kim's harmonica served as background music to one of Lux's poems. She is quite accomplished in her musical ability.
More tomorrow!
Despite my acquaintance with Major during a workshop at Bennington, where he still teaches in the low-res MFA program, I had not heard him read his own work. Major reads with a quiet but compelling voice; his poems could be described as an tonic in this seemingly pervasive climate of cultural and personal human confusion.
After the second of four workshops with Emerson and the other participants, I feel gratified to know that this conference attracts serious poets and not merely hobbyists. The feedback given is sincere, precise and beneficial, even when slightly painful. This is, however, what I am in attendance to receive, especially in regard to my ongoing struggle with certain narrative poems.
The evening's readers were Kim Addonizio and Thomas Lux. Addonizio held my attention more, perhaps because I am more familiar with her work and her reading style since she was a headline poet at the first RochesterInk Poetry Festival in 2005. I would be reluctant to say that Lux's reading was not entrancing, just that Addonizio is a difficult personality to follow. Most fun was their collaboration; Kim's harmonica served as background music to one of Lux's poems. She is quite accomplished in her musical ability.
More tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Day One: Palm Beach Poetry Festival
After last night's networking and dinner at the local Brazilian restaurant (thanks, Jim), this morning's workshop brought me back to the personal growth purpose for being here. The group discussed my poem "The Rambler" and helped me move closer to a possible chapbook decision for that and all the other related poems. If not a chapbook, then at least a very separate section in a full length book.
This afternoon, Kim Addonizio read from her upcoming book on poetic craft, The Poem's Progress. Addonizio used sonnets from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lucia Perillo and even Shakespeare. Though I haven't personally considered Addonizio to be a New Formalist, that was how she was presented to the audience.
Campbell McGrath then gave a talk called "Peeling the Onion: Poetry and Specificity." Examples he cited include "One Day at a Florida Key" by Robert Bly, "The Smokehouse" by Yusef Komunyakaa and "In the Waiting Room" by Elizabeth Bishop. I encourage you to take in the specificity of these poems for yourself but will tell you that according to McGrath the process might better be called "Rebuilding the Onion from its Concentric Selves." Hmmmm...
This afternoon, Kim Addonizio read from her upcoming book on poetic craft, The Poem's Progress. Addonizio used sonnets from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lucia Perillo and even Shakespeare. Though I haven't personally considered Addonizio to be a New Formalist, that was how she was presented to the audience.
Campbell McGrath then gave a talk called "Peeling the Onion: Poetry and Specificity." Examples he cited include "One Day at a Florida Key" by Robert Bly, "The Smokehouse" by Yusef Komunyakaa and "In the Waiting Room" by Elizabeth Bishop. I encourage you to take in the specificity of these poems for yourself but will tell you that according to McGrath the process might better be called "Rebuilding the Onion from its Concentric Selves." Hmmmm...
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Cherry by Mary Karr
Cherry (Thorndike Press, 2001) picks up where the author's first memoir, The Liar's Club, ended with her as a preteen. As one might guess from the not-so-subtle title, this centers around her coming of age in the Texas refinery town of Leechfield.
Karr's prose is not quite as poetic as in the first installment. She has chosen to tell the story in the second person, which yields a more immediate read to events that, by today's standards for publication (what outrageous secrets can you expose?), are more innocuous than the latest antics of Britney Spears though they happened in a less public time.
Karr neither portrays herself as victim or survivor but relays her experiences in an almost matter-of-fact tone. Unlike The Liar's Club, her dysfunctional parents and perfect sister are only afforded cameo appearances though the textures of their personalities could have added dimension to Cherry, as did the appearance of Charlie (her mother) near the end of the book where Charlie's own past influences the outcome of the younger Karr's first arrest.
Still, her story is more interesting than my own, though it ends before mine begins. I suspect the telling of Karr's tale is not yet complete and will happily read the next volume.
Karr's prose is not quite as poetic as in the first installment. She has chosen to tell the story in the second person, which yields a more immediate read to events that, by today's standards for publication (what outrageous secrets can you expose?), are more innocuous than the latest antics of Britney Spears though they happened in a less public time.
Karr neither portrays herself as victim or survivor but relays her experiences in an almost matter-of-fact tone. Unlike The Liar's Club, her dysfunctional parents and perfect sister are only afforded cameo appearances though the textures of their personalities could have added dimension to Cherry, as did the appearance of Charlie (her mother) near the end of the book where Charlie's own past influences the outcome of the younger Karr's first arrest.
Still, her story is more interesting than my own, though it ends before mine begins. I suspect the telling of Karr's tale is not yet complete and will happily read the next volume.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Blue Angel
Francine Prose's novel Blue Angel (Harper Collins, 2000) is an interesting satire of undergraduate creative writing programs. It just happens to be set in Vermont. It just happens to center around a middle-aged male character named "Swenson" who just happens to be a somewhat sympathetic washed up novelist and professor. He just happens to end up in disgrace with everyone in his life and just happens to be grateful for the new life opportunity his disgrace brings him. Not so believable, at least not as compared to J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace (Viking, 2000), which takes a larger, darker walk into total debasement and self-destruction.
Not that the two books can fairly be compared. While Prose's novel is more satirical than Disgrace, it fails to make the same emotional connectivity, something I crave in any writing even if part of authorial intent. The protagonists in both novels have strained relationships with their daughters though Coetzee more succesfully carries that relationship into the meat of his larger plot which truly earns the book's title.
Different authors, different continents, different outcomes. Perhaps the American reader prefers the melodrama of suburban soap operas to serious personal and cultural trauma. Perhaps Americans need a larger world-view, one that takes them out of sleepy college towns and onto the farms of another continent where the shockingly true aspects of human nature are more than sound bites on CNN.
Please feel free to leave your comments on either/both novels. I would appreciate your point of view.l
Not that the two books can fairly be compared. While Prose's novel is more satirical than Disgrace, it fails to make the same emotional connectivity, something I crave in any writing even if part of authorial intent. The protagonists in both novels have strained relationships with their daughters though Coetzee more succesfully carries that relationship into the meat of his larger plot which truly earns the book's title.
Different authors, different continents, different outcomes. Perhaps the American reader prefers the melodrama of suburban soap operas to serious personal and cultural trauma. Perhaps Americans need a larger world-view, one that takes them out of sleepy college towns and onto the farms of another continent where the shockingly true aspects of human nature are more than sound bites on CNN.
Please feel free to leave your comments on either/both novels. I would appreciate your point of view.l
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Just Poets Meeting 10/6/07
Many thanks to Gary Lisman, President of Just Poets, for leading all who attended in a haiku (or short poem, as each poet preferred) collaboration. The assignment was to spend a few minutes making observations with a random poet-partner then to write a short poem either together or individually. Some pairs did both. After sharing what each poet had written, a lively discussion on the nature of haiku in English took place. Gary is also a member of the Rochester Haiku Society and is well-informed on current issues related to this Japanese form, having recently attended the Haiku Society of America's conference here in Rochester.
For more information on upcoming Just Poets events, visit www.justpoets.org.
For more information on upcoming Just Poets events, visit www.justpoets.org.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Recent Literary Food
Currently, there are 39 books on my "Must Read" list, most of which, you might guess, are poetry. In my post-MFA literary consumption to date, here are some of the highlights:
The Body of Poetry, Annie Finch
The Body of the Beloved, Gregory Orr
A Small and Remarkable Life, Nick DiChario (see previous post)
Loostrife, Stephen Dunn
The Liar's Club, Mary Karr
Sinners Welcome, Mary Karr
Ishmael, Daniel Quinn
The Long Meadow, Vijay Seshadri
Please, Mr. Einstein, Jean-Claude Carriere
The Deepest Part of the River, Mekeel McBride
Magnetic North, Linda Gregerson
Poetry as Survival, Gregory Orr
The Last Fine Time, Verlin Klinkenborg
Various Orbits, Thom Ward
City of Lights, Lauren Belfer
Transformations, Anne Sexton
Facts About the Moon, Dorianne Laux
The Faith of a Writer, Joyce Carol Oates
What We Carry, Dorianne Laux
Favorites:
Best Book on Writing/Poetry: Poetry as Survival
Best Poetry Collection: Sinners Welcome
Best Memoir: The Last Fine Time (though The Liar's Club is fabulous, I prefer not to choose it since I've already selected Karr's poetry collection as a "Best." )
Best Novel: A Small and Remarkable Life
I am currently reading Blue Angel by Francine Prose.
Perhaps you'll notice a pattern in my selections above. If you've got a suggestion that might fit or rock that pattern, feel free to leave a comment. Please tell me why you think I should read what you suggest. I am especially interested in memoir/biography suggestions. I'd also be interested in reading your comments on any of the books mentioned, positive or negative.
The Body of Poetry, Annie Finch
The Body of the Beloved, Gregory Orr
A Small and Remarkable Life, Nick DiChario (see previous post)
Loostrife, Stephen Dunn
The Liar's Club, Mary Karr
Sinners Welcome, Mary Karr
Ishmael, Daniel Quinn
The Long Meadow, Vijay Seshadri
Please, Mr. Einstein, Jean-Claude Carriere
The Deepest Part of the River, Mekeel McBride
Magnetic North, Linda Gregerson
Poetry as Survival, Gregory Orr
The Last Fine Time, Verlin Klinkenborg
Various Orbits, Thom Ward
City of Lights, Lauren Belfer
Transformations, Anne Sexton
Facts About the Moon, Dorianne Laux
The Faith of a Writer, Joyce Carol Oates
What We Carry, Dorianne Laux
Favorites:
Best Book on Writing/Poetry: Poetry as Survival
Best Poetry Collection: Sinners Welcome
Best Memoir: The Last Fine Time (though The Liar's Club is fabulous, I prefer not to choose it since I've already selected Karr's poetry collection as a "Best." )
Best Novel: A Small and Remarkable Life
I am currently reading Blue Angel by Francine Prose.
Perhaps you'll notice a pattern in my selections above. If you've got a suggestion that might fit or rock that pattern, feel free to leave a comment. Please tell me why you think I should read what you suggest. I am especially interested in memoir/biography suggestions. I'd also be interested in reading your comments on any of the books mentioned, positive or negative.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Reflecting On the Death of Liam Rector
In the unsettled aftermath of Liam's suicide, I am reminded of Kendra Tenecea's January 2007 graduate lecture on the poetry of Ruth Stone and his comments on Stone's inability to get over her husband's suicide. Liam spoke with such negativity of Stone in this regard that his own suicide has come as more than a little shock to most of us in that graduating class.
My own thoughts go to Tree Swenson and his daughter Victoria as they process his decision over time. One can only suppose how Swenson's future poetry will be impacted, even as those poems begin to be written within her being, if not on paper, in the now.
While we process this active passing in our various ways--writing poems of our own, celebrating Liam's life, remembering the complex man who dominated every room where he was present, watching (or swearing never again to watch) that "brass balls" scene from Glengarry Glen Ross)--we cannot help but wonder about the future of the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.
The January and June 2007 graduating classes are Rector's final legacy. How will that legacy be lived out into the future?
To view his obituary, click on http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/arts/17rector.html.
My own thoughts go to Tree Swenson and his daughter Victoria as they process his decision over time. One can only suppose how Swenson's future poetry will be impacted, even as those poems begin to be written within her being, if not on paper, in the now.
While we process this active passing in our various ways--writing poems of our own, celebrating Liam's life, remembering the complex man who dominated every room where he was present, watching (or swearing never again to watch) that "brass balls" scene from Glengarry Glen Ross)--we cannot help but wonder about the future of the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.
The January and June 2007 graduating classes are Rector's final legacy. How will that legacy be lived out into the future?
To view his obituary, click on http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/arts/17rector.html.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Canandaigua Poetry Marathon
I have been invited to read as part of the second annual Canandaigua Poetry Marathon organized by Marie Starr. The first marathon, held last September, drew publicity from Poets & Writers magazine, http://www.pw.org/mag/0609/newsmantzaris.htm. This is a major finger lakes event in our little but literary-rich corner of the north east. Poets John Roche, Anita J. Augesen and Pat Schwartz will also be reading in addition to many others. It is a marathon, after all!
Readings will be ongoing from noon until 6:30 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2007. A musical open mic will follow the poetry marathon. For more information, check out the festival web site at http://www.poetryfestival.downtowncanandaigua.com/.
Readings will be ongoing from noon until 6:30 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2007. A musical open mic will follow the poetry marathon. For more information, check out the festival web site at http://www.poetryfestival.downtowncanandaigua.com/.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Benefit Reading for RochesterInk
A Poetry Chain reading to benefit the RochesterInk Poetry Festival, www.rochesterink.net, and Writers & Books will be held at Writers & Books at 7:00pm Wednesday, September 5, 2007. The Poetry Chain, as well as RochesterInk itself, is the brainchild of Wanda Schubmehl. In the Poetry Chain, seed poems are sent out to participants who then respond to those poems or write poems inspired by them. The resulting poems are then forwarded to other participants, forming a poetic chain. Wanda has overseen this process in the past, much to the delight of the participants, escpecially with the surprising results. I am one of the many poet participants who will be reading. I hope to see you there!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
UPHILL BOTH WAYS: CONFESSIONS OF A CATHOLIC COLLEGE ALUM
is the title of poet-friend Sal Parlato's reminiscences of his Catholic college experiences in the 1950s. Sal's usual wit and wordplay are prominent in this quick read.
I first met Sal back in 2002 and learned that we have a common past: we both come from the Buffalo area originally. We have both also taught English as a second language right here in the Rochester area, though in different programs.
Sal's led a busy life. To see what he's been up to check out his web site at www.wordsandthensome.com.
I first met Sal back in 2002 and learned that we have a common past: we both come from the Buffalo area originally. We have both also taught English as a second language right here in the Rochester area, though in different programs.
Sal's led a busy life. To see what he's been up to check out his web site at www.wordsandthensome.com.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Artworks & Poetwords Reprise
The Artworks & Poetwords collaborative project has finally come to fruition. The display will be on exhibit every weekend in May, with artist and poet talks as well as readings highlighting the collaborative process.
The exhibit will be held at the Dome Arena in the Glass Lounge, immediately to the left after entering the main building. An opening reception will be held there on Friday, May 4 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Several poets will be reading their work to the background accompaniment of Len Messeneo and Blue Cloud. Refreshments will be provided. There will also be a cash bar.
My collaboration with abstract expressionist Antoni Ooto resulted in a print of his painting alongside my poem "Talus." You'll have to attend the exhibit to see for yourself how both the art and the poetry complement each other.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the web site for the Rochester Art Club at www.rochesterartclub.org/.
The exhibit will be held at the Dome Arena in the Glass Lounge, immediately to the left after entering the main building. An opening reception will be held there on Friday, May 4 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Several poets will be reading their work to the background accompaniment of Len Messeneo and Blue Cloud. Refreshments will be provided. There will also be a cash bar.
My collaboration with abstract expressionist Antoni Ooto resulted in a print of his painting alongside my poem "Talus." You'll have to attend the exhibit to see for yourself how both the art and the poetry complement each other.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the web site for the Rochester Art Club at www.rochesterartclub.org/.
Monday, March 12, 2007
AWP Atlanta 2007
Having family in the Atlanta area and also having just begun a poetry submission service, www.poeticeffect.com, it made sense to attend the annual AWP conference this year to do a little networking. It was fantastic to get out of the Arctic Circle for a little while at least.
Day one conference highlights included a panel on crossing genres to non-fiction which quickly digressed into a lively discussion on how to make money as a writer (writing children's books seems to be a solid source of revenue).
Day two's best panel dealt with experimental poetry and the workshop, where one view compared the workshop to a group of people deciding on restaurant options--no one can ever seem to agree. Timothy Liu offered a wine analogy where poems may be considered types of wine. Tim asked us to consider "how" the poem means as more revelatory than "what" the poem means. I would ask those of you with whom I share work to remember this the next time I bring along a "language" poem.
Day two ended with a fine reading by Terrance Hayes. Charles Wright followed. The two very different reading and poetry styles didn't quite mix well.
Day three began with a panel on our elegaic age which had me thinking of M. J. Iuppa and her research on the elegy. Successful elegies were described as remaining in the "now" with the speaker's voice implicating itself through tone. Would M. J. agree with that assessment?
A mostly "Bennington" panel on the contemporary "I" provided few surprises. Liam Rector sees the "I" as an "other" while Timothy Liu sees the "I" as "me" qualified as a lie. In other words, "I" is me except when it isn't. Don't we all add a little cumin to spice up those confessions for impact?
The book fair was as expected: very tired and sometimes hung-over editors waiting for someone to turn the air conditioning on (they finally did the last day). Most representatives offered chocolates if not free copies of their journals. I have to say that I am very pleased with the high quality of journals and magazines represented. Beautiful covers, strong work in-between.
It was good to visit with Garner Powell and Suzannah Simpson, who will both be graduating with their MFAs from Bennington College in June. Suzannah has work forthcoming in Nimrod. Gardner has interviewed Donald Hall, which I'm sure we'll see in print very soon.
Day one conference highlights included a panel on crossing genres to non-fiction which quickly digressed into a lively discussion on how to make money as a writer (writing children's books seems to be a solid source of revenue).
Day two's best panel dealt with experimental poetry and the workshop, where one view compared the workshop to a group of people deciding on restaurant options--no one can ever seem to agree. Timothy Liu offered a wine analogy where poems may be considered types of wine. Tim asked us to consider "how" the poem means as more revelatory than "what" the poem means. I would ask those of you with whom I share work to remember this the next time I bring along a "language" poem.
Day two ended with a fine reading by Terrance Hayes. Charles Wright followed. The two very different reading and poetry styles didn't quite mix well.
Day three began with a panel on our elegaic age which had me thinking of M. J. Iuppa and her research on the elegy. Successful elegies were described as remaining in the "now" with the speaker's voice implicating itself through tone. Would M. J. agree with that assessment?
A mostly "Bennington" panel on the contemporary "I" provided few surprises. Liam Rector sees the "I" as an "other" while Timothy Liu sees the "I" as "me" qualified as a lie. In other words, "I" is me except when it isn't. Don't we all add a little cumin to spice up those confessions for impact?
The book fair was as expected: very tired and sometimes hung-over editors waiting for someone to turn the air conditioning on (they finally did the last day). Most representatives offered chocolates if not free copies of their journals. I have to say that I am very pleased with the high quality of journals and magazines represented. Beautiful covers, strong work in-between.
It was good to visit with Garner Powell and Suzannah Simpson, who will both be graduating with their MFAs from Bennington College in June. Suzannah has work forthcoming in Nimrod. Gardner has interviewed Donald Hall, which I'm sure we'll see in print very soon.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
ByLine Magazine Article
The February 2007 issue of ByLine magazine, now available for sale at Barnes & Noble Pittsford and Write Book & Gifts in Honeoye Falls (www.writebookandgifts.com), includes an article by me titled "The Five Essential Books Every Poet Must Have." I am grateful to the magazine's poetry editor, Donna M. Marbach, for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this subject.
Marbach, along with Robbi Hess and Peter Young, has invested in this magazine and all three are doing a wonderful job of updating it for the 21st. century. Both the January and February 2007 issues have a slick new look, inside and out. While it's not exactly Writer's Digest, it is informative for the novice to intermediate writer and poet. At a cover price of $5.oo per issue, it's quite affordable.
If you can get a print copy, let me know what you think of this magazine.
Marbach, along with Robbi Hess and Peter Young, has invested in this magazine and all three are doing a wonderful job of updating it for the 21st. century. Both the January and February 2007 issues have a slick new look, inside and out. While it's not exactly Writer's Digest, it is informative for the novice to intermediate writer and poet. At a cover price of $5.oo per issue, it's quite affordable.
If you can get a print copy, let me know what you think of this magazine.
Monday, January 29, 2007
A Small and Remarkable Novel
Nick DiChario's novel A Small and Remarkable Life (Red Deer Press, 2006) is one of the best bits of speculative fiction I've read in quite some time. This is mostly due to the fact that being in an MFA program prevented me from reading genre fiction (since there's no extra time for leisurely reading and genre fiction couldn't possibly be literary). DiChario's book, however, would be a strong contender as literary fiction on the merits of its craft and the excellence in the telling of its tale, an allegory set in the 19th. century. While the protagonist is an earth-born alien, he is surprisingly accepted in the culture of western New York state. Perhaps this is because western New York has given birth to several different brands of religiousity where angels have visited and spiritual colonies have settled. We western New Yorkers are not easily shocked.
Blue-skinned (no, he's not an Andorian) Tink Puddah offers the reader a study in mercy, grace, and forgiveness, attributes that we would all be well -reminded to exhibit on this 21st. century quotidian Earth.
Blue-skinned (no, he's not an Andorian) Tink Puddah offers the reader a study in mercy, grace, and forgiveness, attributes that we would all be well -reminded to exhibit on this 21st. century quotidian Earth.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Stick a fork in her, she's done!
A saying borrowed from Tommy Conley. After two very long years, I have finally obtained an MFA from Bennington College.
My lecture on the 21st century American sonnet went well, thanks to all who offered advice and pointed me in the right direction (M.J. Iuppa, Lorrie Divers, Donna Marbach, John Roche, Jules Nyquist and many, many others to whom I am forever grateful). Henri Cole and April Bernard asked some tough questions but, surprisingly enough, Spencer Reece (a delightful new faculty member at the Writing Seminars) did not ask one--a huge relief since he was well-acquainted with sonneteer James Merrill. I wish Mr. Reece well in the writing of his own sonnets.
Some of the highlights of this last residency include a marvelous lecture by Louise Beach on the personas created by poet Fernando Pessoa. At the end of her lecture, Louise employed three of her own personas to reinforce her point: a farmer played by poet/instructor/editor Ed Ochester, a very naughty girl played to perfection by Celeste Guzman Mendoza, and a moody high schooler played by me. Talk about a memorable lecture!
Classmate Kendra Tanacea gave an insightful lecture on the poetry of Ruth Stone. Bennington Writing Seminars Director Liam Rector had a strong reaction to Ms. Stone's poetry, especially in her treatment of men. Kendra handled the matter with grace and tact and, a few days later, tote bags sporting a photo of Ms. Stone with the slogan "Real men read Ruth Stone" appeared around campus.
The "brass balls" originated by Leslie McGrath became "brass breasts" in honor of Ms. Stone. Celeste Guzman Mendoza presented the first Ruth Stone award to Cheryl Tucker (June 2007). Don't worry, gentlemen. The brass breasts may be easily reconverted to brass balls, if necessary.
Other graduating poets' lectures included Jules Nyquist on the sestina, Elisabeth Farrell on the trickster in the poetry of Charles Simic, and Celeste Guzman Mendoza on the art of the literary interview. Our fiction and non-fiction classmates did us proud as well.
Sadly, Susan Howard Case could not graduate with us. We all missed her very much and as many of us as are able will try to be there to see her and several other former classmates being awarded their hoods and diplomas in June.
As if to make the point that leaving Bennington is not easy, a mouse chewed through the air filter and began to nest in the air flow line of my car, keeping my friend Lorrie Divers and me in VT one extra day. So much the better; we got to visit the Blue Benn one more time.
Thanks to David Dodd for his sage suggestions for my graduate reading.
Thanks to all the poets, writers, friends, family, dogs, cats and other beings for their support during this quest. That is what this experience was for me, a quest, though I'm still not certain just what I am searching for. I suspect I'll be on the cusp of finding it a minute or so before I die.
My lecture on the 21st century American sonnet went well, thanks to all who offered advice and pointed me in the right direction (M.J. Iuppa, Lorrie Divers, Donna Marbach, John Roche, Jules Nyquist and many, many others to whom I am forever grateful). Henri Cole and April Bernard asked some tough questions but, surprisingly enough, Spencer Reece (a delightful new faculty member at the Writing Seminars) did not ask one--a huge relief since he was well-acquainted with sonneteer James Merrill. I wish Mr. Reece well in the writing of his own sonnets.
Some of the highlights of this last residency include a marvelous lecture by Louise Beach on the personas created by poet Fernando Pessoa. At the end of her lecture, Louise employed three of her own personas to reinforce her point: a farmer played by poet/instructor/editor Ed Ochester, a very naughty girl played to perfection by Celeste Guzman Mendoza, and a moody high schooler played by me. Talk about a memorable lecture!
Classmate Kendra Tanacea gave an insightful lecture on the poetry of Ruth Stone. Bennington Writing Seminars Director Liam Rector had a strong reaction to Ms. Stone's poetry, especially in her treatment of men. Kendra handled the matter with grace and tact and, a few days later, tote bags sporting a photo of Ms. Stone with the slogan "Real men read Ruth Stone" appeared around campus.
The "brass balls" originated by Leslie McGrath became "brass breasts" in honor of Ms. Stone. Celeste Guzman Mendoza presented the first Ruth Stone award to Cheryl Tucker (June 2007). Don't worry, gentlemen. The brass breasts may be easily reconverted to brass balls, if necessary.
Other graduating poets' lectures included Jules Nyquist on the sestina, Elisabeth Farrell on the trickster in the poetry of Charles Simic, and Celeste Guzman Mendoza on the art of the literary interview. Our fiction and non-fiction classmates did us proud as well.
Sadly, Susan Howard Case could not graduate with us. We all missed her very much and as many of us as are able will try to be there to see her and several other former classmates being awarded their hoods and diplomas in June.
As if to make the point that leaving Bennington is not easy, a mouse chewed through the air filter and began to nest in the air flow line of my car, keeping my friend Lorrie Divers and me in VT one extra day. So much the better; we got to visit the Blue Benn one more time.
Thanks to David Dodd for his sage suggestions for my graduate reading.
Thanks to all the poets, writers, friends, family, dogs, cats and other beings for their support during this quest. That is what this experience was for me, a quest, though I'm still not certain just what I am searching for. I suspect I'll be on the cusp of finding it a minute or so before I die.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Whistling Shade
My poem "Late Afternoon, February 16, 1905" has been published in the Fall 2006 issue of Whistling Shade. It appears both in print and online: www.whistlingshade.com. The poem is a fictionalized account of the arrival of my grandmother Katarzyna Bryniarska Stanek and her son Andrew in the United States. It has only recently come to my attention that the daughter mentioned in the poem did not, in fact, die aboard ship but arrived with her mother and brother. Anna lived into her 80's in suburban Buffalo.
Monday, October 30, 2006
A Chorus Line
New York, October 25, 2006: Saw A Chorus Line, the broadway show in which my nephew, Tyler Hanes, plays Larry the dance captain. Since I did not see the original 30 years ago as did my friend Steven, I can't comment on a comparison. Today's version is supposed to be an exact duplication of the original, right down to the material of the costumes. Tyler is an energetic dancer, bleached out hair and all. Check out the link to his website or visit www.broadway.com for more info.
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