Sometime in December, I realized that in my immediate family, the gifts most appreciated are books, chocolate (either the solid or liquid variety), and gift cards (to buy more books and chocolate). I love the January routine of settling down with new books, under a blanket with an oversized red mug of hot chocolate (topped … Continue reading Books and Chocolate
“Between Gods” news
Happy New Year! My book, Between Gods, is one of seven featured first books in the latest issue of Beltway Poetry Quarterly, here. It's worth a read!
Rejoicing
We have another reason to celebrate this season: although the Mayan calendar suggested that the world would end on Friday - the day of winter solstice - we continue as we were. I love how Timothy Steele brings the holidays and astronomy together in his contemporary holiday poem, "Toward the Winter Solstice." Here's an excerpt … Continue reading Rejoicing
For Newtown
In a season of light, we find ourselves in darkness. I signed several petitions on SignOn.org, in the hope that gun control will finally be seriously addressed in the New Year. ...The days Are all variety, blowing; Aswirl in a perpetual current Of wind, shadow, sun, I marvel at the capacity Of memory Which, in … Continue reading For Newtown
Wallace Stevens’ Winter
With winter only a few weeks away, I started thinking of modern poet Wallace Stevens after reading Benjamin Glass's excellent commentary on the 32 Poems blog. Here's an excerpt: Perhaps I read Stevens this time of year because his poems reflect the only type of Christmas atmosphere I can endure: mostly solemn, mostly isolated, and … Continue reading Wallace Stevens’ Winter
Preempting the Holiday Blues, Part II: Simplicity
Yesterday Jeff and I went to see the new movie version of "Anna Karenina." Although I might have preferred a more traditional take on the novel (the movie kept pushing the concept of "life is a stage," which I feel has been done to death), the cinematography was sumptuous and the costumes luxe with pearls, … Continue reading Preempting the Holiday Blues, Part II: Simplicity
Preempting The Holiday Blues
Yesterday as we left my mother's house, where we spent the afternoon enjoying lunch and decorating her Christmas tree (yup, we don't waste any time...), my six-year-old daughter commented with great melancholy, "The holidays go by so fast." It was funny, but also sad that she felt that way while we were still enjoying Thanksgiving … Continue reading Preempting The Holiday Blues
Giving thanks…with E.E. Cummings
I am fortunate that in everything I do, there are people behind me offering a hand. When I was cranky and sick this weekend, Jeff took the girls out so I could curl up in a blanket and cough in peace. When I painted the living room, kitchen and dining room in the past few … Continue reading Giving thanks…with E.E. Cummings
Interview about writing and “Between Gods”
This week, the literary blog Murder your Darlings features an interview in which I talk about the writing process, poetry, and my first book. If you're interested, check it out here. (Wondering about the origin of the quote "Murder your darlings?" It's from a lecture by Arthur Quiller Couch - read an excerpt here.)
“Storm of the century” redux (didn’t we just do this?)
After a derecho this summer and another major storm just a month ago, we're again preparing for what's been dubbed "Frankenstorm," a wide swath of rain and snow that's likely to paralyze the East Coast for days. We're charging our electronics, making tons of ice to keep refrigerator food cold, moving items in the basement … Continue reading “Storm of the century” redux (didn’t we just do this?)
Between Gods 