Some good news

Just got the brand new, luscious looking 10th anniversary edition of Barrow Street ( thank you Peter Covino!). Lots to savor... David Lehman's " On Humility" just knocked me out --
" Best to lead your life
as if you must leave the house
and never come back."

You can get your very own copy via the link to Barrow Street on this page. Oh, and go visit Ada Books in Providence ( it's right across from Central HS on Westminster Street) where you will find a ton of poetry books all gently used and at gentle prices.

Rainy afternoon

So our little writer's group met yesterday amid the jumbled furniture and Christmas lights at Dave's Coffee. We forgave each other for writing so little since we last met, but we did a bit of scribbling and talking and laughing. I'm working on a poem about three vultures on the beach and Jake seems to know a lot about these hunched over birds.
Oh, and here's a line from a poem by Michael Dickman (in this week's New Yorker) that I read over coffee this morning...

"The invisible floating universe of kisses, rising up in a sequinned
helix of dust and cinnamon"

Something for a stormy Sunday

If you want to listen to some wonderful poetry come to the Stonington Borough tomorrow, December 7, Sunday, 5 P.M. at the Stonington Free Library to listen to poet in residence at the James Merrill house, Piotr Gwiazda read from both his work and that of James Merrill. Reception to follow.
It'll be worth the trip. Promise.

Some words from W.S. Merwin

While thumbing through the latest Copper Canyon Press catalog I came upon this page with thoughts from the poet and they are worth sharing...
"Take a moment to think about why you read poetry. Take a moment to savor the many treasures available to you within (this catalog). " Or any other poetry publisher's I might add. He continues, "
During these times of economic crisis and political uncertainty the need for poetry is felt ever more strongly, for poetry offers us the vehicle to express our anxiety, gives us hope, and empowers us to better understand our lives. This at a time when most profit-driven publishing houses have all but abandoned poetry because sales of poetry books cannot support the costs required to create them."
Just wanted to put this up here for anyone to think about.

December blues

Pier Poetry Reading Postponed! For any and everyone just a note that this particular poetry lover suffers a mighty headcold and is postponing tonight's reading until next month. Things are looking up as far as a semi-permanent venue. We may have a warm weather space in Narragansett Pier come spring. Hey, it's indoors, an art gallery, but no heat... more later. Let's try to gather at Brewed Awakenings in January to bring in 2009 and ( let's hope ) better times for all on the planet.
Peace,
Andrea