slap leather

I’ve finally started working on a new series. Since finishing my thesis, I’ve been thinking about two different ideas, and even, gasp, writing something that vaguely resembles a confessional poem. But I haven’t been able to write anything about my life recently, though every persona poem that I’ve written since has had something confessional needled into it.

Anyway three poems into the new series I feel a little bit productive. I’m tentatively going to call it the Tombstone series. I’m working with the trial documents after the shootout of the O.K Corral, the private journals of George Parsons and Clara Brown, and a few others. The idea has been marinating since last year when we were in Tombstone, but it was too close at the time and at that point I couldn’t think of anything worse than diving into another project in that kind parched, terrifying landscape. But it feels right now, so I’m going with it. And the research for it is fascinating and quite challenging. Lawmen, miners, Cowboys, newspaper wars, saloon brawls, drunks, prostitutes, New York aristocrats. A good project for a slow summer in Georgia.

I’ve been applying for jobs that can take me through the year before I hopefully start school again or start teaching. Haven’t heard anything yet, but will wait for next week to send out applications to the local air conditioning repair places.

accidents

Just browsing for some art for the new place and came across Patricia Waller's odd and hilarious and wonderful collection. I think this will look really good on my new desk:


I think it's from her "accidents" series.

peach buzz

these green plans

On Monday, Sarah and I drove from Akron to Athens (six states). It took an almost even eleven hours, though it was a fairly easy drive. The ride through West Virginia is really amazingly beautiful (if you’re not the one behind the wheel, whipping through the trucks and curves). I only took two good pictures the whole way. Most of the others were either shadowed by bug intestines in the window foreground, or Sarah’s photographs of the gummy worms and diet coke. I’ll probably have more to say in the next few weeks. I feel excited to be here, but also very nervous to have left so much behind. I’m trying not to force on myself that terrible architecture of worry, though until I am certain that I won’t be the next southeastern regional manager of Chicos, I can’t help but let a few blueprints unroll.

worms don’t dance

I almost didn’t see this one, and it’s too good to pass up! It is absolutely impossible for me to pick just five because the queue is constantly changing. But, here is what I think right in this moment! Oh, and since there were technically two lists, I've just put in 10. Have I done one of these yet and not cheated? Nay.

1. Kathleen—Josh Ritter
2. Women’s Realm—Belle and Sebastian
3. Sylvia Plath—Ryan Adams
4. Sleep—Azure Ray
5. Worms—Beth Orton
6. Public Service Announcement--(Danger Mouse) Jay-Z/Beatles
7. Schizophrenia's Weighted Me Down--Cat Power
8. Welcome to Jamrock--Damian Marley
9. Beer Run--Todd Snider
10. Visionz--Wu-Tang Clang
10(1/2). We Can Be Strong--Willy Mason

i forgot jane kenyon

I feel like a jerk-a-holic for forgetting Jane. I wonder how many times that I’ll think that, now that the list of 13 is up. How many poets I’ll feel guilty for forgetting. Jane is the first that comes to mind. I did make my list somewhat in “particular” order, so guilt is only the natural byproduct of forgetfulness.

This weekend was the graduation reading. I have felt really overwhelmed and more than melancholy since. All of the NEOMFA friends were there, which was so amazing. I probably only know 15 of the students in the NEOMFA, and I would say all 15 were there. I was so nervous during my reading, but looking up occasionally and seeing their faces and eyebrows and eyes was really special.

In addition, my heroes were all there. Mary, Maggie, Craig. Anyway I don’t know when I will, if ever, report on it but here, but the truth is that it was such a wonderful way to end the MFA.

And the Deans sprung for J. Lohr. A May miracle!

the carriage held

Been tagged by Mary and this one was really hard.

Say someone asked me, "I kind of like poetry, but I don't know anything about contemporary poetry. Who should I read?"

No blog friends (because I would have listed Amy Sparks)
No real-life friends (I broke this rule)
No real-life mentors (because I would have listed Mary Biddinger)
Alive as of this writing (I broke this rule too, oh well)

I'd say, in no particular order:

1. Wislawa Szymborska
2. Louise Gluck
3. Martin Espada
4. Maurice Manning
5. Mark Strand
6. Cornelius Eady
7. Richard Siken
8. Joy Harjo
9. Anele Rubin
10. Philip Levine
11. Karen Kovacik
12. Kate Northrop
13. Ed Dorn (dead, but everyone needs a little Gunslinger)

may not have, but must

Thanks for the tag, Mary B!

"Here are five poetry collections you may not have read but certainly must. (Note: The collections, for whatever reason, should be a bit off the beaten path. And need not have caused the earth to open and swallow you whole.)"

Ok here’s my list:

Beyond the Velvet Curtain—Karen Kovacik
A Companion for Owls—Maurice Manning
Back Through Interruption—Kate Northrop
Lamb—Frannie Lindsay
Cradle of the Real World—Jean Valentine

All of my blog friends have already been tagged, and a retag is just inappropriate! Actually, this tag was perfect timing because I spent all of yesterday going through all of my books, dusting them, packing them in boxes. I uncovered all of my oldies and goodies