poetry
Sometimes the ideas come in a rhythmic structure formed of words, and to me this feels like poetry. Some certain thing in my life is like the grain of sand in the oyster, layers of thought and image swirl, mix and harden around it until the grain of sand is no longer recognizable on the outside, but is still, and always, at the center of the pearl's existence, that gem of words, the poem.
My poems can be found in the drop-down menu next to "poetry" in the menu at right.
published works
In December, 2006, two of my poems were chosen to be published on a section of the Prairie Home Companion website entitled "Stories From Home/First Person" for submissions of writing about the place we feel most familiar. This area on the site still exists, and if you go all the way back in the list you'll see my entries.
In addition, I've had worked published online at hotmetalpress.com, which publishes four times a year. the previous season's poetry is removed, but I usually try to submit something each quarter. Locally, I've published in online or print journals that are available by subscription, the Iron Wheel and Micah Gems.
poetry readings
I was shocked and a little frightened when my poems were published on the PHC website (mentioned above). I had submitted when it was first offered in September of that year and they received so many it took until December to read through them and choose the first group to be posted on the site. I was the second two pieces to be published from all those entries.
The executive director of my local public library, a place I've frequented all my life, and which is one of my graphic design customers, invited me to plan a poetry reading the following February, 2007, which would also feature my artwork. I lived through the experience, and composed another in January, 2008. I've posted them on my website so that you can read the poetry and watch the slideshow of the main pieces of art I featured at "Paths I Have Walked" from February 1, 2007, and "Winter Twilight" from January 24, 2008. I am proud to announce that I have had poems published on the Autumn 2006 edition of hotmetalpress, an online poetry journal!