Friday, February 22, 2008
Let It Snow
Just found out that I don't have to trek over to Teaneck to teach; thanks to this fabulous winter weather, the campus of Fairleigh-Dickinson University is closed.
This might be my first true Snow Day since, oh, 1978.
In honor, I reproduce Louis MacNeice's most anthologized poem, "Snow."
The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window was
Spawning snow and pink roses against it
Soundlessly collateral and incompatible:
World is suddener than we fancy it.
World is crazier and more of it than we think,
Incorrigibly plural. I peel and portion
A tangerine and spit the pips and feel
The drunkenness of things being various.
And the fire flames with a bubbling sound for world
Is more spiteful and gay than one supposes --
On the tongue on the eyes on the ears in the palms of one's hands--
There is more than glass between the snow and the huge roses.
This might be my first true Snow Day since, oh, 1978.
In honor, I reproduce Louis MacNeice's most anthologized poem, "Snow."
The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window was
Spawning snow and pink roses against it
Soundlessly collateral and incompatible:
World is suddener than we fancy it.
World is crazier and more of it than we think,
Incorrigibly plural. I peel and portion
A tangerine and spit the pips and feel
The drunkenness of things being various.
And the fire flames with a bubbling sound for world
Is more spiteful and gay than one supposes --
On the tongue on the eyes on the ears in the palms of one's hands--
There is more than glass between the snow and the huge roses.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Cold Spells
I would like to be congratulated for being the last person in the known universe to have acquired a high-speed internet connection, which is pure genius. I can now download all sorts of songs, recipes, and instructions for constructing ray-guns without having to wait for what feels like weeks.
*
Cat Power's version of "New York, New York" (simply "New York") makes me tremble: If this is emotional tyranny, then I don't want freedom.
*
cold-drill, the journal of the MFA program at Boise State University, has accepted "This Medicine May Cause Blurred Vision" for publication.
*
After seeing Il Postino again (with Laura, this time), that terribly sweet film about love and exile, I remain convinced that poetry does have some sort of purpose, that it does, indeed, have a place in the lives of the [un]common, the now.
*
Currently in rotation:
Sons & Daughters - "Chains"
Bruce Springsteen - "Radio Nowhere"
Paul Westerberg - "High Time"
Asian Dub Foundation - "Naxalite"
*
The poet, whose name I cannot recall at the moment, says:
We love what we cannot know...
[d | r]
*
Cat Power's version of "New York, New York" (simply "New York") makes me tremble: If this is emotional tyranny, then I don't want freedom.
*
cold-drill, the journal of the MFA program at Boise State University, has accepted "This Medicine May Cause Blurred Vision" for publication.
*
After seeing Il Postino again (with Laura, this time), that terribly sweet film about love and exile, I remain convinced that poetry does have some sort of purpose, that it does, indeed, have a place in the lives of the [un]common, the now.
*
Currently in rotation:
Sons & Daughters - "Chains"
Bruce Springsteen - "Radio Nowhere"
Paul Westerberg - "High Time"
Asian Dub Foundation - "Naxalite"
*
The poet, whose name I cannot recall at the moment, says:
We love what we cannot know...
[d | r]
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Winter Trees
The wet dawn inks are doing their blue dissolve.
On their blotter of fog the trees
Seem a botanical drawing.
Memories growing, ring on ring,
A series of weddings.
Knowing neither abortions nor bitchery,
Truer than women,
They seed so effortlessly!
Tasting the winds, that are footless,
Wasit-deep in history.
Full of wings, otherworldliness.
In this, they are Ledas.
O mother of leaves and sweetness
Who are these pietas?
The shadows of ringdoves chanting, but easing nothing.
Sylvia Plath
(Paradise Pond at Smith College, Plath's alma mater and home of her manuscripts, letters, and general memorabilia.)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
T. Rex Tuesday?
the new improved Honda Accord coterie needs to reunite over cornbread
and certain crispy fried tomatoes
and beer
what say ye? meet me at the bar at 5:30...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Top Dawg!
Today is a good day. My favorite hound won Best in Show at Westminster...Uno is the first beagle to ever win the 100-year-old canine competition.
No longer an Underdog--Uno beat out two neatly primped poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.
"He's perfect, he was a 10," Jones said. "He does cuteness well."
Precocious as he was precious, Uno celebrated by chewing on the microphones of reporters who tried to interview his winning crew.
A toy poodle that began the night with 108 best in show prizes stood in Uno's way.
Formally known as K-Run's Park Me in First, Uno came into this competition wagging his white-tipped tail with 32 best in show ribbons overall. He already had become the first beagle to win the hound group since 1939.
Uno breezed in the 15-inch beagle category Monday morning, then took the group several hours later. So while other dogs tried to reach the final ring Tuesday, Uno went on a brisk walk around Manhattan and took a nap beneath his warm, fuzzy blanket.
But when it came time to show, Uno was as ready as ever. He looked around and soaked up the cheers while parading around the ring, the ovation becoming more thunderous with every step. When he made his final stop in front of Jones, Uno went to town. Rather than rely on his golden brown, pleading eyes, he began baying over and over.
Years from now, it'll be known as the "ah-roo!" heard 'round the ring.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Most Dangerous Direction
reindeer hair and burnt juniper form ribbons tied to the mountains
at night the Duca leave their deer in a sheltered enclosure to protect
them from the cold and wolves
before healing others they must first heal themselves to prove they are
true shamans
the peaks of the mountains rise up behind the hunters
Tsuyan has a second soul
the back of her tent will be cut
to let her body out
the animal has been wounded but it is too late in the day to go after him
the ancestors penetrate the past lives with the present
she appeases the forces of nature by sprinkling tea in all corners
the communists destroyed our idols
so I learned how to tie magic knots
they bound the rivers and mountains
where the ancestors reside
the duca resorted to abstraction
the tea is a nutritious soup with milk and butter and spiced with a salt
which the reindeer cannot resist
her headdress is decorated with rooster feathers, a suit of armor
when all the stars are out it means that the ancestors are present
she strattles the drum as her spirit joins the others waiting for her
a demon has removed an arrow
she points the stick at someone
the message is whispered and veiled in mysterious metaphors
if it is wounded it will go hide in the trees
if it doesn’t snow the dogs will follow the trail
salt preserves the sweetness and connection
the babies are tied to their kin
no shaman has been able to pacify this unpredictable demon
her remains will be hung on a tree
nestled in a house for immortals
her things will be placed nearby within reach
thus she will continue to watch over her people
the hunters have to choose between heading for the pass or going
through the valley
they study the shoulder blade of a charred lamb
the oracle was right
the moose is still in the snow looking up
the dogs pull at its fur
the hunter stabs its back begging for forgiveness
her trance is over
the bone marrow alone is enough to feed a man for an entire day and
the meat for three weeks
otherwise the ghost of the moose will leave black tracks on their trail a curse
the camp moves on as dictated by the reindeer
the most dangerous direction is north
the sun never warms it
the winds rise from it
and the black sky of the dead circles the mountain
{lm}
at night the Duca leave their deer in a sheltered enclosure to protect
them from the cold and wolves
before healing others they must first heal themselves to prove they are
true shamans
the peaks of the mountains rise up behind the hunters
Tsuyan has a second soul
the back of her tent will be cut
to let her body out
the animal has been wounded but it is too late in the day to go after him
the ancestors penetrate the past lives with the present
she appeases the forces of nature by sprinkling tea in all corners
the communists destroyed our idols
so I learned how to tie magic knots
they bound the rivers and mountains
where the ancestors reside
the duca resorted to abstraction
the tea is a nutritious soup with milk and butter and spiced with a salt
which the reindeer cannot resist
her headdress is decorated with rooster feathers, a suit of armor
when all the stars are out it means that the ancestors are present
she strattles the drum as her spirit joins the others waiting for her
a demon has removed an arrow
she points the stick at someone
the message is whispered and veiled in mysterious metaphors
if it is wounded it will go hide in the trees
if it doesn’t snow the dogs will follow the trail
salt preserves the sweetness and connection
the babies are tied to their kin
no shaman has been able to pacify this unpredictable demon
her remains will be hung on a tree
nestled in a house for immortals
her things will be placed nearby within reach
thus she will continue to watch over her people
the hunters have to choose between heading for the pass or going
through the valley
they study the shoulder blade of a charred lamb
the oracle was right
the moose is still in the snow looking up
the dogs pull at its fur
the hunter stabs its back begging for forgiveness
her trance is over
the bone marrow alone is enough to feed a man for an entire day and
the meat for three weeks
otherwise the ghost of the moose will leave black tracks on their trail a curse
the camp moves on as dictated by the reindeer
the most dangerous direction is north
the sun never warms it
the winds rise from it
and the black sky of the dead circles the mountain
{lm}
Monday, February 11, 2008
"Shopping" Poem
I am looking for a map and one more day.
I am looking for a friend in a land of mines.
I am looking for a man with dish-pan hands.
I am looking for a truffle in the Piedmont dirt.
I am looking for a crop circle inside of the mall.
I am looking for a beagle to take home the blue.
I am looking for a bridge that is pretty in the fall.
I am looking for a sign of movement in the wood.
I am looking for a license plate that starts with EVR.
I am looking for a ferris wheel that glows in the dark.
I am looking for a snowball to pour sugar over and lick.
I am looking for a kettle filled with oolong and darjeeling.
I am looking for a set of ten fingers and twenty warm toes.
I am looking for a cat named two-bit to comb its matted fur.
I am looking for a variety of fruit with flesh that sticks to the pit.
{lm}
I am looking for a friend in a land of mines.
I am looking for a man with dish-pan hands.
I am looking for a truffle in the Piedmont dirt.
I am looking for a crop circle inside of the mall.
I am looking for a beagle to take home the blue.
I am looking for a bridge that is pretty in the fall.
I am looking for a sign of movement in the wood.
I am looking for a license plate that starts with EVR.
I am looking for a ferris wheel that glows in the dark.
I am looking for a snowball to pour sugar over and lick.
I am looking for a kettle filled with oolong and darjeeling.
I am looking for a set of ten fingers and twenty warm toes.
I am looking for a cat named two-bit to comb its matted fur.
I am looking for a variety of fruit with flesh that sticks to the pit.
{lm}
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Girl in the War
Peter said to Paul you know all those words we wrote
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go
But now talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun
I got a girl in the war man I wonder what it is we done
Paul said to Peter you got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire
But I got a girl in the war Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
Because the keys to the Kingdom got lost inside the Kingdom
And the angels fly around in there but we can’t see them
I got a girl in the war Paul I know that they can here me yell
If they can’t find a way to help her they can go to Hell
If they can’t find a way to help her they can go to Hell
Paul said to Peter you got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire
But I got a girl in the war Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
--Josh Ritter
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go
But now talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun
I got a girl in the war man I wonder what it is we done
Paul said to Peter you got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire
But I got a girl in the war Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
Because the keys to the Kingdom got lost inside the Kingdom
And the angels fly around in there but we can’t see them
I got a girl in the war Paul I know that they can here me yell
If they can’t find a way to help her they can go to Hell
If they can’t find a way to help her they can go to Hell
Paul said to Peter you got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire
But I got a girl in the war Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain
--Josh Ritter
Monday, February 04, 2008
My Baby Done Left Me (I Got the Grand Marquis Blues)
She rolled away this morning
she didn't even say one word
Oh she rolled away this morning
she didn't even say one word
Was it something I said girl
or something you heard?
I feel like screamin' and cryin'
but that wouldn't do no good
I feel like screamin' and cryin'
but that wouldn't do no good
She took all my money,
you know I knew she would.
I never had the GM blues
as bad as this before
No i never had the GM blues
quite as bad as this before
My parking spot's empty now
people I can't rest no more
My baby done left me
out in the cold
My baby done left me
yeah out in the cold
They swept the street behind her
as she got up and rolled
My baby done left me
and she won't come home
My baby done left me
no she won't come home
I said where you going baby
she said I'm free to roam
she didn't even say one word
Oh she rolled away this morning
she didn't even say one word
Was it something I said girl
or something you heard?
I feel like screamin' and cryin'
but that wouldn't do no good
I feel like screamin' and cryin'
but that wouldn't do no good
She took all my money,
you know I knew she would.
I never had the GM blues
as bad as this before
No i never had the GM blues
quite as bad as this before
My parking spot's empty now
people I can't rest no more
My baby done left me
out in the cold
My baby done left me
yeah out in the cold
They swept the street behind her
as she got up and rolled
My baby done left me
and she won't come home
My baby done left me
no she won't come home
I said where you going baby
she said I'm free to roam
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
A Diminutive Poem
I. Purge
“With so much nausea and diarrhea, I thought for two days that I was dying,” said an unidentified Chinese man after eating a frozen dumpling.
“They tasted bitter. I felt dizzy some 30 seconds after I had them and collapsed," said an 18-year-old boy. Five minutes later his 51-year-old father's body started twitching.
The 47-year-old mother could not walk or talk.
“My whole body was paralyzed and my eyes kept watering,” she said. “I don’t want to buy frozen food anymore.”
II. Remember
Japanese researchers have implanted a semiconductor camera inside the hippocampus of a mouse’s brain. The mouse recalled the trauma of his birth and a blue light appeared on a screen. The mouse, now with a mighty headache, will be allowed to walk soon. He does not yet have Parkinson's.
III. Absence
It is the end of January. The mixture of moisture and cold air did not climax enough to produce snow this month in New York City. It was the first time in 75 years. Perhaps there will be a dance of flakes in February. Hold out your tongues.
IV. Bloom
In a frequently fractious farming town, riots broke out yesterday when suspects were arrested for the illegal sale of flowers.
V. Flash
Pandora’s heart beat so fast and loud, that it seemed for a moment to drown all other sounds.
VI. Hope
Should she open the box?
{lm}
“With so much nausea and diarrhea, I thought for two days that I was dying,” said an unidentified Chinese man after eating a frozen dumpling.
“They tasted bitter. I felt dizzy some 30 seconds after I had them and collapsed," said an 18-year-old boy. Five minutes later his 51-year-old father's body started twitching.
The 47-year-old mother could not walk or talk.
“My whole body was paralyzed and my eyes kept watering,” she said. “I don’t want to buy frozen food anymore.”
II. Remember
Japanese researchers have implanted a semiconductor camera inside the hippocampus of a mouse’s brain. The mouse recalled the trauma of his birth and a blue light appeared on a screen. The mouse, now with a mighty headache, will be allowed to walk soon. He does not yet have Parkinson's.
III. Absence
It is the end of January. The mixture of moisture and cold air did not climax enough to produce snow this month in New York City. It was the first time in 75 years. Perhaps there will be a dance of flakes in February. Hold out your tongues.
IV. Bloom
In a frequently fractious farming town, riots broke out yesterday when suspects were arrested for the illegal sale of flowers.
V. Flash
Pandora’s heart beat so fast and loud, that it seemed for a moment to drown all other sounds.
VI. Hope
Should she open the box?
{lm}
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
And Now, Some Good News
The editors at The Strip, the new literary journal of the graduate creative writing program at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, have been kind enough to accept four poems for publication, including "Narrative," Call Me Father, Call Me Wanting," "The Cartographer," and "Trust."
Now, if I can just get this life business sorted out...
[dr]
Now, if I can just get this life business sorted out...
[dr]
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The End of an Era
I regret to inform you all that the Grand Marquis breathed its last breath yesterday. It put up a good fight but finally gave up and was officially pronounced dead at 12:02 pm. It took me as far as the beach and went peacefully while parked in the Brooklyn sun. It will find its new home on Monday in junkyard heaven, where the proceeds for its organs and scrap metal will be donated to Cars for Kids. In the meantime, I wish I could have it towed to Raccuglia & Sons Funeral Home, to be paid respect and for a final viewing. I would drape daisies and rosaries over it, and the car radio, if it were working, would play Brown Skin Lady and You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore, concluding with the soundtrack to The Royal Tennenbaums. We would smoke cigars as we listened. The MC would of course be GC, and he would ask if anyone would like to share any memories, the family would greatly appreciate it. After the mass, everyone would follow the white stretch limo stocked with Courvoisier to the junkyard, where Lionel Richie would deliver a tear-jerking elegy, titled "The Power and Girth of My V-8". Following a post-funeral luncheon at my house, the crowd would disperse, and I would proceed to join the downtrodden straphangers with my head up, knowing that it is in a better place and is not suffering anymore. I feel guilty saying this but it will be replaced, hopefully next month, by a 12-year younger, shorter black model that gets kick-ass gas mileage. I will miss it. I will miss its heavy doors that I sometimes had to kick closed, I will miss its windows that never opened when the cops pulled me over, I will miss its cocky old man outbursts, I will miss the junk in its trunk. It had a solid sense of humor. It had irony. It wanted me to tell you it loved you all, and has left something for each of you. For Gregory, it has left its plush back seat and joystick. For Reagan, it has left its disco ball and bevy of double-lined plastic bags. For Danny, it has left its cigar lighter and car radio face plate. For me, it has left its flaccid hood ornament. To honor its memory, I will have its signature three-lined insignia that was once on its grill tattooed on my ass.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sigur Ros' takk: a found poem
track titles
icelandic | english translation | english pronunciation
takk | thank you | tahk [long a, as in "father"]
glósóli | glowing sole | glow-soul-ih [i as in "hit]
hoppípolla | hopping into puddles | hopp-ee-poddla [both o's are long, as in "aw". a is short in "man"]
með blóðnasir | i have a nosebleed | meth blothe-nasir [th as in "breathe". a is long as in "father"]
sé lest | i see a train | s-ye lest [ye as in "yet"]
sæglópur | lost at sea | sie-glope-urr [sie as in "tie". urr as in purr, r's rolled]
mílanó | milan | milano [accent on first syllable]
gong | gong | gong
andvari | zephyr | andvari [accent on first syllable. both a's are short like "man"]
svo hljótt | so quietly | svo hl-yote [o in "svo" is long as in "saw"]
heysátan | haystack | heys-ow-dan ["ow" as in "owl". a is short as in "man]
icelandic | english translation | english pronunciation
takk | thank you | tahk [long a, as in "father"]
glósóli | glowing sole | glow-soul-ih [i as in "hit]
hoppípolla | hopping into puddles | hopp-ee-poddla [both o's are long, as in "aw". a is short in "man"]
með blóðnasir | i have a nosebleed | meth blothe-nasir [th as in "breathe". a is long as in "father"]
sé lest | i see a train | s-ye lest [ye as in "yet"]
sæglópur | lost at sea | sie-glope-urr [sie as in "tie". urr as in purr, r's rolled]
mílanó | milan | milano [accent on first syllable]
gong | gong | gong
andvari | zephyr | andvari [accent on first syllable. both a's are short like "man"]
svo hljótt | so quietly | svo hl-yote [o in "svo" is long as in "saw"]
heysátan | haystack | heys-ow-dan ["ow" as in "owl". a is short as in "man]
Friday, January 25, 2008
Poetry Book Titles...
We must choose carefully how we title our collections. Can you add to this list of sample book titles, boys and girls?
Express Lane Poems
Bounce like Rubber, Stick like Glue
Brazilian Wax
Onion Rings and Gin
Check all that Apply
Do Not Reply to this Message
The Google Bots are Coming to Get You
S.A.S.E.
I Got Your Poems Right Here
How Now Brown Cow?: Poems of the Colombo-American Diaspora
Death Death Death Death Goose
Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Duck
Pow right in the kissa.
Light Bathroom Reading
Toilet Paper Scissors
Remove Before Wearing
Occupied by Pi
Pet Therapy for Your Dog
Pack of Bazookas
Bail Me Out! and other aphorisms by Paris Hilton
Post No Bills
I’m Tired of Your Elbow in My Boob
Dearth of Girth
Release the Safety
Is this Supposed to Feel Good?
Raise Questions, Kittens
Punctum Lacrimales
That Night in Reno...
Prison Love Letters
The Circumference of Your Finger
Crackalack Attack
Express Lane Poems
Bounce like Rubber, Stick like Glue
Brazilian Wax
Onion Rings and Gin
Check all that Apply
Do Not Reply to this Message
The Google Bots are Coming to Get You
S.A.S.E.
I Got Your Poems Right Here
How Now Brown Cow?: Poems of the Colombo-American Diaspora
Death Death Death Death Goose
Bitch Bitch Bitch Bitch Duck
Pow right in the kissa.
Light Bathroom Reading
Toilet Paper Scissors
Remove Before Wearing
Occupied by Pi
Pet Therapy for Your Dog
Pack of Bazookas
Bail Me Out! and other aphorisms by Paris Hilton
Post No Bills
I’m Tired of Your Elbow in My Boob
Dearth of Girth
Release the Safety
Is this Supposed to Feel Good?
Raise Questions, Kittens
Punctum Lacrimales
That Night in Reno...
Prison Love Letters
The Circumference of Your Finger
Crackalack Attack
quote of the day by Linh Dinh
“I see violence as a common misfortune and, by extension, fate. It’s what awaits each one of us just around the corner. One cannot think seriously about life without contemplating the destruction of the body. Born in Vietnam, I was baptized early into this awareness. As an adult in Philadelphia, I had many opportunities to gather my bloody evidences.”
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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