Of Kites and Cohen
I recently led a discussion about the poetry and lyrics of Leonard Cohen at the Bethel, CT, Public Library. The program was sponsored by Bethel Poet Laureate Cortney Davis. In the talk, I centered on intimacy and audience in Cohen’s work, how in poetry and song he can draw his readers (and listeners) in through […]
Words, words, words
The poem began as a class exercise. My students were experimenting with fixed and traditional form poems. I gave them the option of trying a villanelle or a sestina. Some had trouble getting started, so I offered a few images that they could pool from. We had discussed the form and how repetition functions differently […]
Explicating the Poetic Process
“My writing process saves a fair percentage of timefor self-doubt and lack of artistic confidence.” It starts with an encounter. There is a notarized mammal, a dead serpent, and a preserved misspelling. Then a mythical flash of inspiration, the grabbing for tool and template, and the clumsy yet magical act of documentation. Just like the […]
“In the folds of envelopes”
Letter from Long Island Trestles of lines accost her— curls and clean edges, dots and crosses hollow shapes and and empty spaces. Words are lonely secretaries. After smudging the blue ink, she retraces folds and creases, returns the specimen to origami. Pushing the shell of thin glasses to the high bridge of her nose, […]
Upcoming release: Mouthbrooders–ready for pre-order
My new collection, Mouthbrooders, is ready to go to the printer for release in June. Order your copy and support Homebound Publications and get a 20% discount.
Wintering
Almost a foot of snow fell last night, and this morning’s best-laid plans were tossed away when the plowman’s tires spun more quickly than the clock which told me I’d be late for class. Machines did what machines do, a little better than we can do ourselves. Here’s to shovels shoveling. Waiting for the Plowman […]
Hypergraphia
Fill in the blank: Poetry is ____________ From Poetry 205 Fall 2017 to Poetry 205 Spring 2019. This poem was compiled from students’ responses to the above equation. What is Poetry? I. a baby’s first tears, wrapped in the arms of a mother with fears a cigarette bowing to the flame and a vision upon […]
Getting on with it
After the ice storm, it’s good to get back to the living world, back to performing ordinary acts. A Gathering of Sorts As morning curdles its way to noontime, autumn plays its lazy guitar. To join the living world, we make our way to the post office with enough change in hand for three stamps. […]
“To bring out the fine points of a good picture.”
“To bring out the fine points of a good picture.” Such was the idea put forth by painter (and frame maker) Charles Prendergast in explaining his theory of crafting frames. Recently, I had the chance to learn about Charles, and his better-known brother Maurice, at the New Britain Museum of American Art and to experience […]
Tears come down wet
Tears come down wet, whether in fear, grief, delight, or gratitude. Read my latest essay, “Failing Feet and Finger Lakes” in the autumn issue of Fired Up! Creative Expression for Challenging Times. My poem, “Lucifer Falls, New York,” was also inspired by the gorges and trailheads near Cayuga Lake. What’s the connection between poetry and […]
