I’ve paid insufficient attention to contemporary fiction as I’ve aged out of the demographic. I recently chose to read a batch of new fiction because of recommendations and references; in many cases these were eye-opening lollapaloozas, elegant debuts, starred reviews, short list that, finalist this and winner of the prestigious other, often hilariously funny, flawlessly […]
Fresh Reading (2 of 3 posts) Read More »
“I keep thinking I can see the virus blooming on the horizon like a sunrise. I realize the world will continue to turn, even with no people on it. Maybe it will go a little faster.” That was written many years pre-Covid 19. But kind of current, right? Scary, too. It’s from Carmen Maria Machado’s
Fresh Reading (1 of 3 posts) Read More »
Emily Dickinson, writing about a flower: Except to Heaven, she is nought; Except for Angels, lone; Except to some wide-wandering Bee, A flower superfluous blown. Except for winds, provincial; Except by Butterflies, Unnoticed as a single dew That on the Acre lies. The smallest Housewife in the grass, Yet take her from the
(Another in a continuing series of anecdotes and observations about the writing game.) Thomas Merton was recommended to me by two people when I was floundering. I read his autobiography, Seven Storey Mountain, and I even visited the monastery where he lived (though he had long since passed). He was an accomplished writer and young
My book of poems. Hooray For parents who name their daughters Desiree! She said neurosis; I thought she said blue roses. Not so much poetry as air hockey prose And although I hope by Sunday to come to It’s not really my place or in my power To make those kinds of dreams come true.
Just Out from Nude Erections Read More »
The bus driver on the bluebonnet route To the gingerbread clinic Has a face like the big flower That squirted when you tried to smell it That I wore on my clown prince costume When I skated all over the world In Holiday on Ice. Here’s me with America’s Sweetheart. The one who almost
America’s Sweetheart Read More »
This may surprise you but I’m very proud of several things we did on the date. If Mother Nature were human, she’d be dead The things we did. But being a distinguished visiting fellow The fact that (a2 – b2) = (a + b) x (a – b) Means we’re playing croquet indoors. When the
When the Rain is Caged Read More »
The grasshopper jumps onto an electrified fence. Fireworks of flaming wings Flaming legs, Flaming head, Flaming abdomen segments Igniting the dry grass like Meth-crazed bride with gown afire. Rocks pop like champagne. Trees come apart at the seams. When I am with you I am the grasshopper. From ¡Simpático Patio! I expect an autumn
The High Cost of Living Read More »
Dad got snagged on a jetty jack. Mom beat the insurance company. Bereavement ends at the point of Electronic confirmation of transfer of funds. That’s the money I’m drinking Old Milwaukee at the Tomahawk Bar with. And a breakfast burrito. Brain surgery and a lube job. Reservation prices. from ¡Simpático Patio! I expect an autumn
Near the Whiting Bros. Ruins Read More »
Original title: Es prohibido traer este poema al bano durante horas de trabajo Art said to Beauty when they first met “Honey, your daddy’s a thief.” Beauty was all “Whachyou mean my daddy’s a thief? My daddy ain’t no thief.” Art was all “Honey, your daddy stole the light right out of
Art, Beauty; Beauty, Art Read More »