New Poem up at American Poetry Journal, a reading at Open Books, and Holiday Lights at the Botanical Gardens
- At November 30, 2017
- By Jeannine Gailey
- In Blog
- 2
New Poem Up at American Poetry Journal’s new issue
First, thanks to American Poetry Journal, a poem from my new manuscript-in-progress, “Another Attempt at Disaster Preparedness,” is up with their new issue here:
https://www.apjpoetry.org/one-more-attempt-jeannine-h-gailey It’s always wonderful to see work from a manuscript you’re working on get published, because it gives you a little more confidence . If you read this poem and the poem from Redactions that I linked in the last post, “Self-Portrait as Appalachian Ballad,” together, you’ll sort of see the themes of the new book!
MS Relapses and the Bellevue Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights
It’s been a busy couple of days, both poetry-wise and in actual life. Apparently I had a little MS relapse, which showed up in horrible dizziness, fatigue, and weakness, but a few days of steroids have me feeling much better. I’m learning to recognize when MS is “acting up” – there’s a prelude of fatigue and dizziness, and then boom! I can’t walk without falling over again. It’s frustrating, but I’m learning.
On one of the days I wasn’t feel well took me to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens to see their yearly holiday light show. I had to be back in a wheelchair, but it was a beautiful, unrainy night and I really loved seeing the holiday lights. Here are a few details – a blue heron, a spider web, an aquarium scene and Glenn and I enjoying the lights.
Kelli and Victoria at Open Books
Tuesday I was able to rally enough to go see Kelli Russell Agodon and Victoria Chang read at our poetry-only bookstore Open Books. I loved seeing poetry friends I hadn’t seen in a while, browsing through Open Books, and hearing poetry. A really good night. Here are a few pics and a picture of my take from Open Books (I already had Barbie Chang – I recommend it!)
More Fallout from Guys Being Creeps and NPR Loses Writer’s Almanac and its Archives
Yesterday was a sad day in that Garrison Keillor has been fired and Writer’s Almanac is no more. Years ago, Writer’s Almanac featured two poems from Becoming the Villainess, and it helped bring an audience to my poetry that would never otherwise have found it. Now that the archives are no longer up and the show’s disappeared, I can’t help but feel a little loss. I do hope NPR decides to have a new show that features contemporary poetry. May I suggest a female host, NPR?
Brian James Lewis
Yay! Another great post! Great new poem and cool to see you, Kelli, and Victoria at the reading! Those lights look incredible! I wish we had something like that here! There used to be one in a park that you could drive through which was really nice for people like you and me. Don’t tell my cats, but Sylvia is the most photo-friendly cat ever! I definitely need to get a book of Kelli’s because I like what I’ve read so far and she’s always so friendly on Twitter. Glenn is such a great, supportive partner. Two thumbs up, sir!
Jeannine Gailey
Thanks! Yes, try one of Kelli’s books, she’s also a great editor and publisher! And I will pass that along to Glenn 🙂