Monthly Meter: October

fellowship/publication submissions: 0 fellowship/publication acceptances: 0 fellowship/publication rejections: 2 books: 0 Secret Shame: 1.  This month's meter.  2.  My truck is still dingy and the tires need air. Mantra of the Moment: All things are in perfect order.

Dear John (for the brothers)

Dear You, I told myself that it was because of my father that I fell in love with you. I loved him in the unconditional way children typically love—without acknowledgement or understanding of flaws.  My father’s flaws became part of my definition of all men. Once I stopped loving you all by default, I started [...]

There was no title

...and in October of 2002 when I wrote it, I can assure you that this man did not exist (erehem, in this form). So why is this not-so-great snippet worth a mention? Well, from at least 1998-2000 (the MFA years) I was mostly strictly and defiantly autobiographical in my writing. My thesis advisor (bless the [...]

Damned Hoodies (Again)

On the day the Sharmeka Moffitt story broke, I worried aloud to one of my students that I was bringing my memories of the Tawana Brawley case to bear on my assessment of the case.  I refused blogs and looked strictly to news sites for my details. In the days following my fears were realized--the [...]

The Common Denominator

I’m surprised you’re not married.  And no children?  Wow.  He sighs and gives me an approving once over.  The obvious attraction bores me.  First of all it's old--15 years of this conversation and your balls remain so shriveled that you cannot act on it?  Boy, bye. I am tired of being interesting and beautiful; not [...]

Manifesto #2

Say It, Say It Any Way You Can by Vievee Francis He hit her in the back of the head. Truth—finds its own coarse measure. Not long out of diapers I wore purple hot pants and danced a funky chicken. There was the boogaloo, and my aunt’s red wig that went over her hair. I [...]

Manifesto #1

Instructions to the Double Tess Gallagher So now it’s your turn, little mother of silences, little father of half-belief. Take up this face, these daily rounds with a cabbage under each arm convincing the multitudes that a well-made-anything could save them. Take up most of all, these hands trained to an ornate piano in a [...]

Monday Mayhem

If not here, I would live in... a loft--with hardwood floors. or his arms. or bliss. preferably all of the above. My dream holiday would be to... eat well, sleep peacefully, read by the water, and shop for do-dads and what-nots in a warm place where the sun makes me 2 shades darker and perfectly [...]