bad numbers

My spirometry (breathing test) numbers were so poor at the Clinic the docs said they were in the "transplant" range. Transplant! I'd love a new set of lungs (plus other things), but...

So if you hear me wheezing on the bus, at work, in class, or on the phone, it's because I have "bad numbers."

reading May 10

In the illegible type on this flyer, it says the following folks are reading May 10 at 2570 Superior Avenue, Suite 203: Toni Thayer, Maj Ragain, Nin Andrews, Shurice Gross, me, R.A. Washington, Emily Dressler, and Michelle Rankins.

awe

Ever read an unpublished manuscript and get chills? After poring over some really good, too earnest poetry, I find one that sizzles on page 1 and doesn't let up till the end. I hope it wins the contest.

in the voice of the heron

My brother took this photo on a trip to Florida not long ago. Craving real green here on this grey-on-grey day. Fiddling with poems. Cate Marvin, author of Fragment of the Head of a Queen, is coming to read next week. Love her stuff, maybe because I'm an only semi-reformed, postconfessional poet.

If I had students, I'd ask them to write in the voice of the heron.

writers block and

Up at 4 am to see moon on ice. Can't write. Reading Cate Marvin, who reminds me about rage, something I buried, but barely. Can't even find my D.A. Powell book (hidden in the couch?). Am preparing a presentation on "difficulty in poetry," because someone told me my work is "difficult." Ha. I'm feeling as simple as a slug today, hoping god isn't holding a salt shaker over my head.

Happy day to my Irish friends. I wonder what they think of green beer in Saudi Arabia?

catch-up

Saw the film about Rev. Albert Wagner, One Bad Cat. Amazing, and not just because I'm in it with Pam. A complicated man, The Rev's contradictions and his powerful personality are caught well in Tom Miller's direction. Pam's gorgeous painting, Ramona, is featured, as is my favorite painting, The Other Woman. Hope that it comes to a festival near you. Hope that a distributor picks it up. Don't listen to PD's Steve Litt, who panned it (so what else is new?).

Missed the Jim Jones tribute last weekend at the Beachland, and inadvertently deleted a link: go here for a tribute by Mike DeCapite and samples of Jones's music. Scroll down to February 26. Jones was the same age as my mother when she died. Hm.

Am reading new work on May 10 at The Lit (the former poets and writers league, not our old favorite bar) with Nin Andrews and Emily Dressler and others from Barn Owl Review. More to come later.

Happy Birthdays to my sister, Jenny, and to The Beloved Bean and The Beloved Bean's mom. You fabulous fishes.

canaries born

My thesis is now in the hands of my committee. It was blessed by Mary Biddinger (bless you!) and sent on its little journey. I predict (hope) each member of the committee will like a different part of it. I don't expect all of them to like all of it. I also hope I can graduate with my pals Jen and Jason and Dawson and Lindsay in May.

after the storm

My back gate (top). My front yard (bottom).

meet thai

I went shopping for a female dog, and came home with a male cat. I wonder if that means anything. Thai is a Javanese cat mixed with something else. He talks a lot, is very affectionate, and is more exotic-looking than his picture actually shows.