studies

so if you try to reach me and i'm out of pocket, it's because i've got so many books to read in a month less than i had last semester. right now, i'm not certain that i'll like any of them, hopefully there will be a few high notes. but last night at a poetry roundtable, i was encouraged at least three other poets disagreed as i did with the famous poet's book i'm currently reading.

i'm simulataneously reading two form poetry books and i must say, they suck.

i don't mean to be all down on the famous, but with very few exceptions, a line here and there, a entire two sonnets out of thirty so far, i would rather listen to local unpublished poets and read the poets i know.

i'm not sure if it is community that informs the work, we become invested in the poet and the poems because we know them, we love them. or if there is some new thing coming along that has yet to break to the surface.

i took a pile of my chapbooks along to the read last night and people followed as i read, which is weird. i felt trapped in the words and where i might have dropped or transposed a line i would catch myself doubling back to fix it. no freedom in that.

i'm merely reading a page. you can do that on your own. why am i there?

the chill is setting in again, it's been wicked cold here lately and i cover and uncover as i transition through my day. ultimately ending up at work dressed for spring. hands in hot soapy water keep the chill at bay. there is too much to do to get cold there. (for me anyway).

i should go, a pile of books to get through and i've only just begun.

we were doing this tedious residency requirement for our program which meant interacting with students and faculty for what felt like forever. and true to form, i miss them now. but that's how it goes with me.

peace. out.