More Poetry Month and a Sad Passing
I was very sad to read this morning on C. Dale Young’s blog about the passing of Jeanne Leiby, who had recently taken over editor-ship of The Southern Review. I thought she had a great vision for the magazine and she wrote me a very kind note while she was editor there. It’s a strange thing; in the age of Facebook, I said to my husband: “But she just posted to Facebook yesterday!” She was about the same age as my older brothers, in her mid-forties, and that just seems tragic and unfair.
I am reminded that we should tell all the people we admire and care for just how much we admire and care for them. I was so happy to see some of my old friends at poetry readings in the last week. Rebecca Loudon read her poem “Love Letter to the Whores on Aurora Avenue” which always makes me cry, and I saw Colleen McElroy, who spent time and energy mentoring me when I was just starting out as a writer/lit mag volunteer in Seattle – in fact, before I met her, she accepted one of my poems for my first “real” poetry acceptance (you know, outside of teen-y contests and high school mags and such.) She got up, rocking her skinny jeans and high-heeled boots, and was such a fierce poetry presence…it was really inspiring. If I could be half as fierce a poet as Rebecca and Colleen, well, I’d still be a pretty darn fierce poet.
Collin Kelley has started blogging for Poets & Writers. Check out his first post here!
During Poetry Month, I wanted to take a moment to encourage everyone to go buy poetry books from independent bookstores. Specifically, you should all buy books from Open Books, the poetry-only bookstore in Seattle. I recommend calling in and placing phone orders if you don’t live in Seattle. When I lived in California, I found myself constantly wishing I could just pop in and see John and Christine, the owners, who are always full of good advice and news, and check out the new poetry books propped up on the front shelf. For a poet, it is a magical place. Did I mention they also host some rollicking poetry readings? Lately I really enjoyed Martha Silano’s book debut readings, where she passed out little toy aliens and did physics experiments along with her poetry. I’m looking forward to a visit on May 12 when C. Dale Young will be making a stop in on his poetry book tour!
Hello! I’m writing from the first day of my residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, a little cabin – all mine – overlooking the white stone cliffs and beaches around Fort Warden. My cabin has three bedrooms and a baby grand piano. No internet though, so blog posts may be fewer and farther between. I have already played the piano (in tune!) and I plan to sleep in all four of the beds. I feel so jacked up and excited. I brought my sketch pads and stuff too, I haven’t done any visual artist-type stuff in a long time and spend so much time being in-control, analytical girl that will be nice to be more laid-back and focusing on the, you know, creative bohemian self. I was thinking about the fact that I pretty much actively suppress my inner poet (you know, the dreamy, sensitive version of me, not the kick-ass, gets stuff done, doesn’t take crap version that spent time in the business world) almost all the time. Discipline, I think to myself as I write queries, work to finish articles before deadline, negotiate payments, send out submissions…I rarely give myself permission to do what I want during the day. I have a lot of rules for myself: work first, then blogging and internet surfing, no television during the day, healthy snacks instead of junk food. Some exercise every day (although right now most of my exercise time is being spent at physical therapy.) These are all probably requirements of being able to work from home. But I need some time to indulge, to be unstructured, to dream. This residency may be a key to that. And, right now, I have to go shopping for snacks and drinks. I’m afraid this creative outlet may also channel my inner six-year-old’s eating habits.
The right response to why poems don’t rhyme, etc: a funny little piece over at Slate responding to “non-poetry-people” questions about poetry: http://www.slate.com/id/2189318/
(Addendum: My husband the engineer’s comment on the article: Doesn’t Pinsky know any contemporary poetry? Way to reach out and introduce new poets to the masses, man!)
And, the Poetry Foundation features Colleen McElroy, a mentor and friend of mine who also happens to be a terrific poet and fierce storyteller. She really encouraged me when I first came to Seattle, and has continued to be a feminist (and a humanist) heroine.
Here’s to a more right-brained Jeannine, who will be more creatively productive (plus write some reviews and other admin work…) I’m crossing my fingers. Or, maybe I’ll just watch the blustery clouds and the deer and play the piano.
