For the last week, I’ve been working with high school students in Austin, Texas. Specifically, I (along with 11 other great teachers) am teaching 39 students everything they need to know about current events and public speaking. It’s my fourth year here in Austin and I’m having a hootenanny, however… IT’S TOO DAMN HOT. A [...]
Archive for June, 2009
26 Jun
So, That Happened…
A few minutes ago, I was minding my own business, reading some poetry blogs. I clicked on the link to How a Poem Happens, a great blog by Brian Brodeur, and started reading his entry on “Requiem” by Camille Dungy. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was in no way prepared [...]
21 Jun
Of Dead Hydrangeas and Soldier Ants
A confession: At the beginning of every summer, I experience a complete revulsion to the idea of reading contemporary poetry. I realize that this is foolish (actually, stupid) since I’m a contemporary poet, but I always feel like I need a break. My break: reading nonfiction and novels. Really though, writers like Toni Morrison have [...]
20 Jun
I’m a MFA Student: There, I said it.
Let’s not pretend that the validity and value of the MFA is still a hot topic. At the very least, it’s warm enough to warrant air-conditioning. I’m not going into a rant because, frankly, a lot of other people are much better at the whole sound & fury bit. I will simply say that the [...]
2 Jun
on DeLana Dameron’s Book Release Party
For those of you who have been keeping up, we’ve been lucky enough to follow poet DeLana Dameron through the process that finally culminated in the debut of her first book. Recently, I was able to interview DeLana about her book, poetics, and the publishing process. And so, it was with great pleasure that I [...]
