Essays in the craft Scattered leaves strewn on the lawn Browns and oranges, red highlighted yellow, Dessicated husks discarded Left to decay, nutrition for next year’s growth. Signs of perfection. Tracings gone to nowhere. Faltering logic flowed from simple footings. Well-trod pathways taken again and again Novel paths petering out in too few steps. False …
Monthly Archives: November 2008
NPAD 2008: Day 4a
The Word A prophet breathes. Inspiration enters buttressed Caverns hung with alveoli Chandeliers giving light To bent cave dwellers. Rush wind cascades through Open doors regulated by Tie-burdened ushers. Doors Vibrate, humming harmonic Sympathy to passing exhalations. Respirations was through waxed Canals crashing in on taut sails, Ebb and flow; tidal energy transferred by Rube …
Are you now, or have you ever been…
Not only am I proud to be a college professor, I’m also proud to be friends with college professors. None more so than my good friend Ken Morefield. Having had to deal personally this semester with the negative stereotype the Evangelical sub-culture has of my profession, I’ve also had to deal with the more general …
NPAD 2008: Day 3
Graduation Day Aqua Velvet Old Spice Chanel Worn-out ill-fitting suits spandex Spike heels corsages emitting Fragrance histamine overdrive Cellular glow camera flash Video whir satin sheen rain Damp houndstooth weave wafting a/c Bleach blonde gel-coated faux-hawk golf Shirt copper sheen toenail blue hair Pink tulle shiny bald silver brush Youth elder child adult mother Father …
NPAD 2008: Day 1
Hwy 162 Corn stalk stubble pierces stale flat White slough skin coating, ironic Manna. Flakes squeezed by icy fist From already too dry winter. Two lamps mounted on rust decades Old luxury iron masts. I Meander down the half-blind two Lane illuminated by the Encroachment on commerce by the Misty fingered tendrils of snow. Dantean …
Studs Terkel R.I.P.
A few years ago, I had the great pleasure to see Studs Terkel speak at the Woodstock Opera House. At the time he was plugging his book on death. Through his wonderful storytelling, he examined full in the face what he saw as the next stage in his life. Just as he has always done, …
Not writing a novel
In most of the past six years I have made attempts at completing the NaNoWriMo project: writing a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November. That I have failed each attempt is no great blow; the attempts have been enlightening. This year, Todd’s Year of the Poem, I am endeavoring NOT to write …
