September To-Do's

The start of a new school year always seems like a time to reassess the year, and overall it’s been a pretty good one. I *think* I’m starting to find a balance between my family life and my poetry goals. My secret, if you will, is dedicating an hour an evening to something—anything—a chore, a poetry to-do task, something that I can finish but feel like I’ve accomplished a task.

In the past, after the kids have gone to bed, I’d collapse with a thud in bed. TV on until I drifted to sleep. But now, when the kids go down, I try to accomplish one thing that’s on my list. And it’s helped. Last night I reorganized my office desk, which doesn’t sound like much, but it felt like I was starting again with a clean slate. Fits right in with September.

The other big thing I did during the weekend was start a new journal. Whenever I feel like I need to shake off the past, I create a new beginning in my journal. It’s like starting a new chapter in my life.

I guess I’m finding that these silly, little to-do lists mean something to me. And I have more success when I put them out there for all the world to see. These lists are my way of saying this is what’s important to me. Right now. In September.

• Poem for Thursday. – What can I say? Can’t let go of having a poem written by Thursday. So that’s four poems this month.






• Work on a memorial essay for Phebus Etienne – With any luck, it will appear in an upcoming edition for Callaloo.






• Send out poems to a journal a week – I need to start doing this with more frequency.






• Devote time to the NEWS – It’s time to kick our New & Emerging Writers Series into high gear with new fall dates. We’re excited to start the series again with some of Boston’s most talented writers. More info to come.






• Open mic – While the NEWS is fulfilling enough, an up-and-coming bookstore in my area is sponsoring an open mic on Sept. 11.






• NPR – I've always wanted to write a commentary for broadcast on public radio. This may be the right time to try.






• Volunteer work – I’m happy to say that this fall I will edit a newsletter for a local charitable organization that helps out people in need. I may also devote some time to their marketing board as well. Cool!






• Freelance work – I’ve been kicking this idea around for a while. I do so many free endeavors that it would be nice to get a few freelance gigs. Mama would like to put a few extra gifts under the tree this year.






• Screenplay – For years, I’ve thought that the complicated life of Anne Sexton would make an interesting screenplay. So I think it’ time to jump into this. I’ll conduct two months of research, and then start to write in November. My hope is to complete it by April.