Bill Hurley was connected to life. A very intelligent man of many talents. He came to Writers Block a few years ago and he earned and deserved our love and respect. A fine poet, a fine Father and Husband. We're going to miss him.
Meanwhile, I keep pulling myself away from the poetry and arts scene slowly. Feeling like I have nothing left to offer because I'm not as directly affected by the topics of the day than others. Don't know if it's age, social or financial status but it's become hard to connect and much much easier to stay at home. If it's not my Son's sleep schedule, my own schedule is wearing me out.
My Son will be 14 on Thursday. He seems to be adjusting ok to the new school and schedule. A much better adjustment than this summer's caregiver. There are still so many challenges and I feel like I'm running out of time somehow. It's hard to connect with him too frequently and that frustrates me as the circle of self blame is all around me.
Solo trip next week. At least the car has roadside assistance.
Showing posts with label columbus poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label columbus poetry. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Monday, August 17, 2015
Inspired by Nancy Kangas
Last week I attended a poetry reading in which Nancy Kangas, one of my favorite poets, read. She also did her slide interpretations.
There was also a poem about an on ramp. She suggested other poets write about their most memorable on or off ramps in the city so it can be a series.
After one incident last week, I was moved to write this:
The On Ramp From I-70 East to 315 North
This quarter cloverleaf tips over more trucks in a weekend
than any Hot Wheels cars I flipped on plastic track
Crime tape wrapped stalled cars on shoulder at sunrise
tells the lack of mercy this on ramp possesses
Cut off by an SUV that could not decide on
going east, or wherever
My Volvo rear ended by a Susan Komen painted Mustang
as a result of cell phone indecision
The merge north would be easier if allocated by lottery
than a correct turn signal
Jacked up Fury Road ‘58 Chevy spews blue smoke
Ain’t gonna drag that road rage Mitsubishi
Post accident parts spread out like a yard sale
All colors are welcomed to the ditch
Four cylinder non-turbo acceleration ignored by a lane hog
who will not pull over or slow down to let you in
True hypocrisy revealed by the ‘Coexist’ bumper sticker
on the back of the Honda hybrid as it flees the scene
Its every driver for themselves
as another commute is endured, survived
never experienced.
There was also a poem about an on ramp. She suggested other poets write about their most memorable on or off ramps in the city so it can be a series.
After one incident last week, I was moved to write this:
The On Ramp From I-70 East to 315 North
This quarter cloverleaf tips over more trucks in a weekend
than any Hot Wheels cars I flipped on plastic track
Crime tape wrapped stalled cars on shoulder at sunrise
tells the lack of mercy this on ramp possesses
Cut off by an SUV that could not decide on
going east, or wherever
My Volvo rear ended by a Susan Komen painted Mustang
as a result of cell phone indecision
The merge north would be easier if allocated by lottery
than a correct turn signal
Jacked up Fury Road ‘58 Chevy spews blue smoke
Ain’t gonna drag that road rage Mitsubishi
Post accident parts spread out like a yard sale
All colors are welcomed to the ditch
Four cylinder non-turbo acceleration ignored by a lane hog
who will not pull over or slow down to let you in
True hypocrisy revealed by the ‘Coexist’ bumper sticker
on the back of the Honda hybrid as it flees the scene
Its every driver for themselves
as another commute is endured, survived
never experienced.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Following up a little and some self promotion
Earlier in the week I wrote a post criticizing the Columbus Arts Festival's Word is Art committee for decreasing the amount of poetry on the stage this year.
There was some open, honest discussion on my Facebook page about what was said that I appreciated and respected. I'm still not sure if my message got to the right people though, to the anyone on the committee itself.
Two days later, the festival did blast out three posts on social media linking to the same post by the chair of the committee, one that expectedly said how great the stage is going to be this year. An interesting coincidence, eh?
I stand by my original post.
On Sunday May 24th I'm going to be reading in Dayton at the Dharma Center. Starts at 7PM. I'm honored that the Gem City Poetry Stage asked me to take part. You can read more about it here.
There was some open, honest discussion on my Facebook page about what was said that I appreciated and respected. I'm still not sure if my message got to the right people though, to the anyone on the committee itself.
Two days later, the festival did blast out three posts on social media linking to the same post by the chair of the committee, one that expectedly said how great the stage is going to be this year. An interesting coincidence, eh?
I stand by my original post.
On Sunday May 24th I'm going to be reading in Dayton at the Dharma Center. Starts at 7PM. I'm honored that the Gem City Poetry Stage asked me to take part. You can read more about it here.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Poetry and Pasta
My friend Betsy Clark has been taking on an ambitious project this week. She's been doing a feature at someone's house each night the past six. There's also a spaghetti dinner involved. Last night I was one of the opening acts. It was a small intimate gathering in Alexis and Jay's living room, and Sam the dog was loving on everyone. I did these poems.
This Poem Will Never Be Buzz-fed
Terra Nova Pantoum
Is Gun
All Time None of the Time
Unlatching
The Wine List of the Overlook Hotel
The Real In-flight Announcement
The Word and Spaghetti Tour concludes tonight. Congratulations in advance to Betsy for completing this project!
In other poetry news, local poet Will Evans and former local poet Hanif Willis-Abdurraquib have both made the finals of the Individual World Poetry Slam in Phoenix. Best of luck to the both of them as they compete tonight.
This Poem Will Never Be Buzz-fed
Terra Nova Pantoum
Is Gun
All Time None of the Time
Unlatching
The Wine List of the Overlook Hotel
The Real In-flight Announcement
The Word and Spaghetti Tour concludes tonight. Congratulations in advance to Betsy for completing this project!
In other poetry news, local poet Will Evans and former local poet Hanif Willis-Abdurraquib have both made the finals of the Individual World Poetry Slam in Phoenix. Best of luck to the both of them as they compete tonight.
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