Poet Mom

A&E

2009-07-19T19:54:00.001-04:00

Poetry Roundup

2009-07-19T07:25:00.004-04:00

Amy King put together a great list of Poetry Calendars from all over the U.S.

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In their electronic newsletter, Tupelo Press offers prompts for writers. This is an excerpt from their newsletter, which they have not posted yet but as soon as they do I will update the link.

Tupelo Authors Offer "Prompts" for Writers
"Getting Started and Keeping Going"

Seamus Heaney quipped that the challenge of being a writer is "Getting started. Keeping going. And getting started again."

In our newsletter and on our website, we'll be offering prompts and exercises for poets and writers, which you can try out, adapt, use with students, and transform in surprising ways. Send us your own ideas for Tupelo Press's Writers' and Teachers' Resources archive, available soon at http://www.tupelopress.org/.

In this issue of The Tupelonian, we send you a sampling of the dozen Writing Exercises from the Reader's Companion created by Karen An-hwei Lee for her book Ardor :

# 1. You are a well. Jing shui. What's at the bottom? Write in the language of water.

# 3. Create a rainstick or any musical instrument out of paper. Write a poem describing how to make rain or how to make paper.

# 4. Write a poem about sweetness arising from bitter things or the reverse.

# 9. Compose an aleatory (chance-based) poem using the dictionary, algebra, or any formula for data.

# 10. Without using e-mail and the internet, find an economical way to share your poems as gifts or as forms of witness. Share with one hundred people.

# 11. Research or invent a marginalized (rare) language. Write a poem in this language.

# 12. Set up a typewriter in a place where there is a lot of foot traffic. Post a sign offering your Poem-Writing Service. Write poems for free.

In addition to Ardor (Tupelo Press, 2008), Karen An-hwei Lee is the author of In Medias Res (Sarabande Books, 2004). She lives and teaches in California. She is also a novice harpist.

Also, Tupelo's Open Submission Period runs until the end of July.

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Over at Poet Hound, a great suggestion to comb your used poetry book stores for poetry titles. Makes sense in these difficult economic times. (Thanks Jilly)

Also, if you have a used bookstore or local library that will take your titles, this is a great way let go of old titles to make way for new ones.

The Boston Lobsters

2009-07-19T05:53:00.001-04:00

These are pictures of Martina Navratilova at Thursday's team tennis event. She's part of a professional team tennis team called the Boston Lobsters. I forgot my camera, so these were taken with my iPhone. Can't believe she's 52; she still plays as if she's 22.

Missed out on meeting her because she came to the "meet and greet" an hour earlier than scheduled. Still, a good time was had by all. (Thanks HG!)

Staycations and Stuff

2009-07-16T11:04:00.002-04:00

Today at 4:30 p.m., my “staycation,” or stay-at-home vacation, begins. Taking a break will help me rejuvenate other parts of my life, I hope. I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids on day excursions and mini-adventures, as well as sleeping in and eating too much ice cream! I’m also planning large chunks of time by myself to read, write, and relax.

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Tonight I’m going to a charity event where I’ll get to meet none other than tennis legend Martina Navratilova. Go figure! I'm a huge tennis fan so I'm really looking forward to it.

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I’ve been thinking about Phoebe’s Confession Tuesday post. In it, she said something that really resonated with me:

“… I confess that I've never been confused about my own power. I am a powerful person, always have been. This comes up a lot … me marveling at my own ability to move through the world the way I want to. Me wishing I could use more of that power for good. If only I can make that strong sense of self and creativity connect with some ambition. I often feel like I'm missing the ambition.”

Like Phoebe, I have a keen sense of who I am—always have. Yet, I don’t suffer from a lack of ambition (neither does Phoebe, in my opinion). For me, the bigger issue is intent. I have a lot of good intentions, but no follow through. It’s easy enough to talk/blog about stuff, but to act on intention is often difficult. If I acted on half of my intentions, I wonder how much different (maybe even better) my life would be. And what if I used my intentions to help others. What if I championed one cause—what kind of difference would that make in someone else’s life?

Something for me to ponder on my staycation.

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I'll be blogging and posting with wild abandon this week. Stop in and say hello!

Confession Tuesday

2009-07-14T08:35:00.001-04:00

It’s Tuesday! Time to share that pound of flesh with us (metaphorically, of course), and don’t forget to visit the repeat offenders in The Confessional.

It’s very rare that I get out for a kid-free night out. But last night—yes, Monday night—this Poet Mom went out with another poet mom for a few tasty beverages. Let’s just say that I’m feeling it this morning. And that’s why I don’t go out that much anymore! We did have fun chatting away. Thanks CM!

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In my new-found frugality, I’m finding a lot of deals that have always been around but I’m just now noticing. Writers, check out whatever office supply store is in your area. These stores are gearing up for back to school sales, so lots of basics on sale in the upcoming weeks. (Back to school already… can you believe it?) I bought two packs of Staples brand copy paper for $3.69 each. By taking advantage of an online rebate, the paper costs just $0.01!

*Writers, how are you being frugal during these difficult economic times?*

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Being more frugal has also led me down a path of greater self control! Had to talk myself out of buying a Lenovo Ideapad S10-2, a mini-laptop, for $315. *big sigh* But truthfully, it is a “want,” not a “need.” That’s how I make most of my financial decisions these days, by asking myself, “Is it a need or a want?” Usually puts things into perspective for me.

Oh, but I really, really want it. Someone may need to talk me down off the ledge. I’ll get one later this year. I love that the minis are lightweight, no larger than the size of a book, and cheap. It’s perfect for writing in a coffee shop or for use during travel. Did I mention this laptop is blue?

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Haven’t made much progress on my poetry to-do list. Honestly, after a long day at work and a few hours with the kids, I crawl into bed at 8:30 p.m. Doesn’t help that I’m up at 5 a.m. during the summer to take advantage of my college’s flexible work hours. So it’s hard to motivate myself to write. Ugh. I need to stop complaining and just get on with it.

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I’m slowly working through the second manuscript. Will fell better once I solidify the poems in the last section. There are three sections currently, but that could change the deeper I get into the process.

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I’ve lost 15 lbs in 3 months. It may be the one benefit to the chaos in my life.

Superhero Sunday

2009-07-13T08:41:00.007-04:00

The kids and I spent Sunday morning at the Wenham Museum and their exhibit, "Colorful Characters: Storytelling Through Comics."

Superheroes in training

"Yes, Alex, we used to have these things called 'phone booths' to make telephone calls ..."

Kibbles and Bits

2009-07-10T15:05:00.002-04:00

Finally, the sun is out in Boston! The kids and I will be hanging out poolside at our local Y this afternoon.

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Looks like I'm reading in two different sessions of the Mass Poetry Festival this October. Woo hoo! Also, I'm on the list for NYU's spring 2010 alumni reading. And I just applied to read at the VA Festival of the Book for 2010. Keep your fingers crossed because I am a Virginia native and I would be a little crushed if I didn't read at this event in my home state.

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Don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of stories about poets making no money. Old news, if you ask me. Nonetheless, NPR has a nice story about emerging poet Elizabeth Haukaas and established poet Mark Strand.

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Tomorrow, I plan to take a substantial about of time revising my second manuscript. I should get in some reading and writing, too.

Have a great weekend!

Dunken Boat 10

2009-07-07T08:24:00.003-04:00

Finally, Drunken Boat 10 is up! Go check it out. I'm one of 100 poets and writers included in the 10th anniversary issue. Tickles me to no end to be in an issue with Kim Addonizio and Marilyn Nelson, and so many others.

Check me out, and listen to the audio clip.

Confession Tuesday

2009-07-07T08:13:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the first Tuesday of July. You know what that means? Time to confess. Share a little of yourself with us and we'll do the same. And don't forget to check in with the sinners lollygagging in The Confessional.

True Confession: I've been reading the same book for months: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Now, I love this book, yet I've become a very casual reader when it comes to novels. Poetry, newspapers, magazines articles and blog posts I'm voracious about. But novels? Not so much.

Feeling incredibly guilty about my lack of effort, I picked up the book again and fell right back into the story. I seem to pick it up during the times when I need it most on an emotional level. So the passage I read yesterday was this:

"And the question now for me is, What are my choices to be? What do I believe that I deserve in this life? Where can I accept sacrifice, and where can I not?"

I've spent a good portion of my adult life taking care of others. Now that the marriage is ending, I must focus on me. I have to move in a direction that brings peace and stability for my children and me. It's quite a daunting task to go it alone, but here I go, slowly moving toward happiness. I will accept nothing less.

As for Eat, I've decided to finish it this month so I can fill my cavernous heart with more words. Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is waiting patiently for me.

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This summer I had planned to take the kids to Sesame Place. But the thought of taking two kids under 6 to an amusement park by myself scares the BEJESUS out of me! So I've decided to stay local and plan a staycation full of awesomeness! We'll stay overnight at a local water park, visit the "other" Children's Museum in the metro Boston area, take a ferry ride from Salem to Boston, hang out at the pool at our local Y, go bowling, play miniature golf, eat well, stay up late, and just laugh a lot. I'm even planning a few excursions for myself. Maybe even a SPA DAY! Figure I'll spend half as much money and we'll get just as much enjoyment.

I wanted this to be the trip that said to the world, "I'll be OK. We'll be just fine." But I think the most important thing is to relax and enjoy this time with the kids. Maybe this week with mom will be a time they cherish for the rest of their lives.

We'll save the big trip for next year when I have help.

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Still mourning Michael Jackson. *Sadness.*

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And on the poetry front, here are my July To-Do's

Read a friend's manuscript to write a blurb for his upcoming book (I haven't forgotten, J.B.)
Finish the first draft of my second manuscript
Write four poems
Finish Eat, Pray, Love. Start Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (I have a thing for three-word titles)
Update marketing plan for Underlife.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2009-07-05T21:34:00.007-04:00

Today's neighborhood is Fenway Park. The Red Sox beat the Mariners 8-4. Pictured are Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew (7) and Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (51).

The Runners Up

2009-07-03T00:00:00.003-04:00

These are the covers that were "voted off the island." Let me know what you think. Any favorites? I have a few.

Looking back, this represents a great collaborative effort between me and Eric, cool guy/designer extraordinaire.

1. Kitchen

2. Beach 1

3. Beach 2

4. Black w/Legs

5. Breast (not mine)

6. Light Bulb

7. Doorstep 1

8. Doorstep 2

9. Shoes

10. Fishnets

11. Fingers (not mine)

12. Face (not me)

13. Doorstep 3

14. Stairs 1

15. Stairs 2

16. Washing Machine 1

17. Washing Machine 2

18. Washing Machine 3

19. Washing Machine 4

Underlife Book Cover

2009-07-02T09:20:00.001-04:00

I was waiting until the end of summer to show off the cover. But heck, it's 60 degrees in New England and the sky is black with thunderstorms--I need a little pick-me-up! And when Erin told me the cover was listed on Amazon.com ... hey now!

The Underlife cover was designed by the beautiful and talented Eric Stich. We went through many designs, all of them unique and interesting, but we always came back to these mannequin legs, which he owns, by the way. *smile*

(FYI, this is not the finished cover, but the design is set.)

Once I find all the covers on my hard drive, I'll post the ones that didn't make it. Woo hoo! I'm doing a virtual happy dance!!

Trash Finders Ball Trailer!!!

2009-07-01T21:48:00.002-04:00

Check out the Trailer to the Trash Finders Ball! I'm in one of the clips briefly (thank goodness!).

video platform video management video solutions free video player

Confession Tuesday

2009-06-30T09:27:00.002-04:00

Happy Tuesday, folks. Time to fess up! Share a confession with us, and don't forget to say hello to those doin' time in The Confessional.

I'm in the process of doing a life audit. Since I'm going through a huge transition, it seems like a good time to assess my resilience to things. I'm arranging my life so that I'm better equipped to handle setbacks.

What does that mean? I'm looking at four areas:

Personal spending. Like many others out there, I need to cut back. So maybe a few less lunches bought during the work week so I can save for something I really want to do, like take in a Red Sox game!

Physical health. I've lost 12 lbs over the last three months (I look great!), but it's mostly due to stress rather than exercise. I need to make sure I'm eating healthy and getting lots of sleep and exercise.

Emotional health. Thank goodness for my network of friends and family. They keep me on track, and lend a hand when I need it.

Creativity. I need to feed my soul. That's where poetry and this blog come into play.

Bottom line, I want to increase my happiness quota. You can never have enough happiness, right?

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Too many celebrity deaths coming back to back. We need a break, don't you think?

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Yesterday, I knocked out two big goals of mine. I sent off a grant application for the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund. In addition, I'm putting the finishing touches on an article for my publisher's newsletter. Whew!

In completing the grant application, I submitted 24 poems from my second manuscript. It was a great opportunity to look at my work again with fresh eyes, and eliminate poems that don't work in this current iteration.

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Received two rejections in one day, from Harvard Review and Anti-. Oh well. At least Anti- sent a nice e-mail instead of a generic slip of paper.

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Tonight, I'll get some ME time to work on said manuscript, as well as write my first poem of June on the last day of the month.

Summer Reading List

2009-06-29T04:04:00.000-04:00

My list is short because I don't have a lot of time to read between Red Sox games! *smile*

Nonfiction:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, Barbara Kingsolver

And then the poetry, which I go through relatively quickly:
1. This Sharpening, Ellen Dore Watson
2. This Clumsy Living, Bob Hicok
3. Queen for a Day, Denise Duhamel
4. Two and Two, Denise Duhamel
5. Otherhood, Reginald Shepherd
6. Fata Morgana, Reginald Shepherd

Weekend Wrap-up

2009-06-28T15:00:00.006-04:00

This phenomenal woman came all the way from Texas to see me. Isn't she beautiful?

Her timing was perfect. She came up just when I needed her most. Love you, Special K!

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Throughout the weekend, I've been giving the kids a crash course in the music of Michael Jackson. We've watched a few videos, and his songs have been our background music. Alex likes Thriller and Beat It, while Ella is more of a Rock with You kinda gal, like her mother.

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Strangely enough, both kids like Say, Say, Say, the MJ-Paul McCartney collaboration. *sigh*

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Later today, I'm heading to Starbucks for a little ME time. I have a few things to catch up on, including a grant request and, with any luck, writing the first poem of June.

The High Line

2009-06-26T22:01:00.004-04:00

Between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhoods, between 10th and 11th Avenues, runs the High Line. It is an elevated steel rail line that’s been converted into a park.

Here are a few photos.

Top MJ Songs Currently in Rotation on My iPod

2009-06-26T08:31:00.001-04:00

In order of Most Played:

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Off the Wall
The Way You Make Me Feel
Who's Loving You (Jackson 5)
Remember the Time
Dancing Machine (Jackson 5)
Rock with You
Billie Jean
You Rock My World
Man in the Mirror
Bad
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
The Way You Make Me Feel

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1983) [Motown 25 Live]

2009-06-25T20:41:00.001-04:00

This is probably the single greatest live performance by a performer EVER!

Michael Jackson - Beat It

2009-06-25T20:05:00.001-04:00

Can you believe it? Michael Jackson ... gone.

Whatever he may or may not have done, he was a talented man. He was always the King of Pop.

R.I.P. Michael.

R.I.P. Farrah

2009-06-25T19:49:00.005-04:00

I always wanted to be an angel ... one of Charlie's Angels.

R.I.P. Farrah.

Oh, What a Night!

2009-06-24T20:58:00.003-04:00

If I had to sum up my day in New York, the word magical comes to mind!

I had a wonderful, albeit brief, time in NYC. Spent the day with the lovely and talented Joseph Legaspi.

We had a FABU lunch at The Little Owl. And the building above, I'm told, was used as the exterior apartment shot from the show Friends.

I loved it so much I wanted to marry it.

Went to the High Line, an outdoor elevated park (more on that in a separate post).

And then the reading. Well, first the dress!

These pictures don't do Bryant Park justice. Just knowing that this space exists in NYC makes me happy. I read at the Reading Room, which is an outdoor space where you can plop yourself down and read a book—an outdoor library of sorts.

Teresa Carson was the driving force behind the event.

Joan Cusack Handler, poet and CavanKerry founder.

This park is an oasis in midtown Manhattan. We had a nice crowd at the event, but I can't tell you how many people would stop for a minute, or two, or five, to listen to a little poetry. Every once in a while, a roaring engine or siren passed by, reminding me that this is an urban oasis. It was poetry in the most public of places. Yet, it all felt very real. Interactive—maybe that's the word I'm searching for.

The venue was truly inspiring, so much so, I felt my reading had to rise to the occasion. The night completely surpassed my expectations.

It was one of those nights I feel every poet should have, a few glorious moments to be tucked away for those days when we're filled of doubts, or we've opened one rejection letter too many. The whole event reminded me that there are people who really do appreciate poetry, and give it the space that reflects that appreciation. The Bryant Park Reading Room is one of those spaces.

The stars aligned. The rain stayed away. It was a magical night for poetry.

Confession Tuesday

2009-06-22T22:09:00.002-04:00

This is the early edition. While you're thinking about the who, what, when, and why, I will be on my way to NYC to read in Bryant Park. Be sure to stop and say hello to the folks hanging out in The Confessional.

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I've been looking forward to this brief but exciting trip to NYC for months. I'm thrilled to be reading with Teresa Carson and Joan Cusack Handler of CavanKerry Press. This is only the second time I've read my poetry in New York since graduating NYU's Creative Writing Program. Coming back always feels like coming home. And with Underlife coming out in November, this is a sort of validation for more than 10 years of hard work.

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It's also the unofficial kickoff to my Summer o' Fun. I've been spending a lot of time with the kids lately so this is something that's all mine.

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Besides my nervousness, I've been struggling with this tinge of sadness I've been carrying around. It's hard to be happy with so much going on with my personal life. But I'm determined to keep this little piece of joy for myself. I've been working so hard for an opportunity like this … just thought I would have someone to share this moment with me.

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Tonight's big episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 hits way to close to home.

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Yesterday I bought a kickin' dress! First dress I've bought in about three years. Will take pictures of the dress, as well as the event, to post on Wednesday.

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Rain, rain, go away.

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Happy, happy Tuesday everyone! Send good vibes my way.

Reading in Bryant Park

2009-06-22T08:13:00.000-04:00

I’m spending today trying not to FREAK OUT about tomorrow’s reading in Bryant Park (see below). Now, I’m sure the reading will go well. I’ve read through my selections, practiced in front of a mirror, and I’m visualizing the reading going well. Still, I have butterflies.

So, what do you do before a big reading or speech? How do you prepare? Any suggestions, techniques, or rituals.

My mom tells me to take a Tylenol and eat a piece of chocolate before a big event. Not sure if it works, but we all have our remedies.

Hope we have nice weather.

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Word for Word Poetry
CavanKerry Press Poerty
Bryant Park Reading Room, NYC

Tuesday, June 23
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Presenting exceptional works of "poetry and prose" from the writers of CavanKerry Press:

Teresa Carson
Joan Cusack Handler
January O'Neil

If you're around, please stop by. Or just send good vibes my way on Tuesday!

Quick Hits

2009-06-19T15:20:00.002-04:00

TGIF. It's been a wacky one for me. Ella has been under the weather, waking up sick in the middle of the night. I think she's through the worst of it. Ugh, nothing worse than a sick child. Poor baby.

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My car is at the shop. Apparently, it needs some part that is—get this—unavailable in the U.S. I mean really, it's not like I'm driving a Bentley! I drive a Subaru, for goodness sake. But if this part can't be found at a junkyard, I may need to buy a car.

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Trying not to freak out about the car yet.

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Looking forward to a fun weekend with friends. It was supposed to be the weekend we'd get the chance to check out the pool, but the forecast calls for—you guessed it—rain, rain, MF-ing rain! And the reading on Tuesday in Bryant Part. Yep, rain.

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Taking the afternoon to continue looking over my manuscript. But I may have to take a nap first.

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Have a great weekend! Hope it's warm and dry wherever you are.