Conversations That Happen in My Head #2

Been writing a lot this first part of the week and this soundtrack from Kwame Dawes has been in my head most of that time thanks to my writer-friend Yao: MEMOS TO POETS a 'twitter' journey #1 Banned: The metaphorical heart. ”Heartburn” is allowed, however. ”Heartache” too, only if a coronary is involved. #2 The [...]

Monthly Meter: July

fellowship/publication submissions: 0 Momentum is a terrible thing to waste. fellowship/publication acceptances: 0 "Sometimes this happens. It means nothing. So pull the shadows around you like a puff and get back to work. More opportunities scramble forth, trailing their long elegant heels of hot air with alice blue eyes, crinkled as if at the most [...]

We all fight our own wars.

...and sometimes we make it through the mayhem and then the wreckage, through no fault of our own.  I love this poem.   Facing It Yusef Komunyakaa   My black face fades, hiding inside the black granite. I said I wouldn't dammit: No tears. I'm stone. I'm flesh. My clouded reflection eyes me like a [...]

Monthly Meter: June

fellowship/publication submissions: 4 fellowship/publication acceptances: 1 fellowship/publication rejections: 3 (2 said "We are interested in seeing more of your work" which validates me in ways I shouldn't need nor admit.) books: Native Guard by Natasha Tretheway (our new poet laureate) Secret Shame: Acne scars on my cheeks.  Yes, I am that vain. Mantra of the Moment: [...]

Monthly Meter: May 2012

fellowship/publication submissions: 7 fellowship/publication acceptances: 0 fellowship/publication rejections: 1 books: 0 Secret Shame:  See "books"  above. Mantra of the Moment: Action reveals priorities. --Mahatma Ghandi

Yeah, I Said It

For real: I did.  And some folks thought it was worth printing. I hope you think it's worth reading; check it out here: ITCH, a literary magazine out of South Africa, published two poems in its ≠ issue. "Algebra" and "How Today Will Look When It's History 14 September 1977" are from my manuscript Marrow [...]

Monthly Meter: April 2012

fellowship/publication submissions: 3 fellowship/publication acceptances: 0 fellowship/publication rejections: 3ish (semi-finalist for 1) books: 0 Secret Shame: Puberty's angst and awkwardness refuses to leave me alone.  Pretend not to notice--that's what I do. And trail mix with white chocolate chips. Mantra of the Moment: Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient [...]

Monthly Meter: March 2012

fellowship/publication submissions: 4 fellowship/publication acceptances:0 fellowship/publication rejections: 1 books: me and Nina  Monica A. Hand Secret Shame: I really might, well probably would, for a Klondike bar.  Ice cream is definitely one of my weaknesses. Mantra of the Moment: "Even those who appear fearless are afraid and just live fully anyway." (Antoinette Brim in an [...]

Monthly Meter: February 2012

fellowship/publication submissions: 10 fellowship/publication acceptances: 1 fellowship/publication rejections: 1 books: 3 Teeth Aracelis Girmay Blood Dazzler Patricia Smith Like Trees, Walking Ravi Howard Secret Shame: Running nightmares.  Seriously.  I have them.  Why can't I be faster with killer abs?  Because I like white chocolate chips, ice cream, and sleep--the latter of which I cannot seem [...]

Monthly Meter: January 2012

It's ba-yack!  The Monthly Meter returns this year.  It might be better named my accountability log; my Dar-get-on-the-stick statistics.  Because that's really what all these numbers and records are about.  Follow me on the journey.  Or walk beside me.  Well, run with me--I'm picking up the pace!  Come back every month to see how goes [...]