tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39372079641319053712024-03-19T15:37:43.741-07:00Toledo Poetry MuseumThe Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-18877799423513725382015-06-10T07:54:00.001-07:002015-06-10T07:57:37.291-07:005 Questions with Rachel Richardson<div class="im" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #500050;">Rachel Richardson is a jazz singer, folk singer, pop singer and all around Singer. She can expertly deconstruct a Swiss Cake Roll or Nutty Bar. She's the founder and director of Arts Corner Toledo, a community arts outreach that organizes mural projects in and around Lucas County. Rachel's also a real advocate for Toledo, where many of us are trying to do better, and succeeding, a little bit everyday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you remember the first poem you read?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was definitely Shel Silverstein. I'm not sure which poem but I know it was from "Where the Sidewalk Ends". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you have a favorite poet? Someone who's work you turn to often?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rainier Maria Rilke has written so many pieces that I have found myself attracted to and that I can use to define my sentiments about being a creative person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you remember the first poem that really got under your skin?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">King of the Garden Estate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Why is that poem important, or special to you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Because it is a part of my personal history and the history of my friends and dearest ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is poetry a part of your daily life? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only in as much as how often I think of my best friend, The Poet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">The following is the poem 'The King of the Garden', by Rachel's best friend, The Poet, who will go unnamed. The poem was written when the poet was an 18 year old ingrate serving detention for not completing several weeks worth of Math homework. It is difficult for The Poet to share this poem in a public forum. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i>The King of the Garden</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I want to be King of the Garden Estates.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">The Hyacinth House is the county seat there. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">This is where the Hyacinth Girl, my queen, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">wanders the barren corridors aimlessly, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">staring at vacant doorways with no will</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">to enter them, but conjuring imaginary scenes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">she'd see if she had courage to step inside. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Rose of Sharon can make love freely to Jack in the Pulpit</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">in the streets of Bethlehem there, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">copulating feverishly, but creating nothing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I want to be King of the Garden Estates. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">There Dandy Lion can be my majordomo.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">His concerns are few, but immense--</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">he is responsible for the cultivation of the </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything Flower, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the key to my power.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Red like the blood, green like the sea, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">for forever it's potent magic would keep me on the throne.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At least that's how it would be, if I were king, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the King of the Garden Estates. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I want to be King of the Garden Estates, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a victim of love I am, and of vagabond dreams</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that trample my mind, a mind emptied </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">by a too intense bout with the Everything Flower. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the garden, a fair daisy land, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">spriggans and goblins play whimsy games with the dullard, Daffodil.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Poor Daisy fell victim just the other day to the phallic black spear</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">of the Goblin King Hooray.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But if I was the King of the Garden Estates</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd feed those spriggans and goblins to the </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Tiger Lilies, ferocious guardians who call no man master, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and hesitate not at all to bite the hand that feeds them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I'd do this because, if I were King of the Garden Estates, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd want to be loved by my subjects.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd say to them, "Subjects, every flower must have its last day!"</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And they'd all cheer except for pretty Violet, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I always wink at pretty Violet. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And they'd be safe, too, everyone from Briar Rose</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">to Crooked Pine, because my brother, the Emperor of the Garden, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">will be watering us all, and he has hordes of Everything Flowers, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">which makes his strength, his influence, and integrity great.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So. I want to be King of the Garden Estates, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the Garden is all I have left. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother is gone, and my father is gone, and Daisy, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">she fell victim to the phallic black spear of the Goblin King Hooray. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the Everything Flower, the key to my power? </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's bolted, it's useless, it's powerless. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My brother, he's a goblin. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well he was, until I gave him to the Tiger Lilies.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I should be King of the Garden Estates. </span><br />
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The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-67233004969106193842014-03-26T04:50:00.001-07:002014-03-26T04:50:15.732-07:00Your Name Here: The Matt Sradeja Interview<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I met Matt Sradeja several years ago at a poetry workshop held at Brewed Awakenings, a coffee shop that was for a long time a fixture of Toledo’s poetry scene. Matt and I were still cutting our teeth on the words in those days. Since that time we’ve featured together at a few readings in Toledo, read at a million open mics, performed in Back to Jack, and had poems printed in the same anthology of local poets.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Matt’s poetry heroes, as you’ll soon learn, are Gregory Corso and Walt Whitman. He carries on their legacies like a champ. Matt’s poems are frank and sincere, funny, unexpected, and playful. He plays with pop culture references, makes jokes, and tender, sometimes heartbreaking overtures to the world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Above all, Matt really believes in poetry. For him it’s been a life saving balm, a creative outlet that protects him from demons of the past and the despair of a sometimes uncertain future. Poetry gives Matt the strength to face every day, with their work requirements, legacies bad presidencies have left behind, and also the immeasurable joy of daily sunrises, the love of a good woman, and the sense of accomplishment he feels in his life as a poet and provider. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">f you enjoy Matt’s interview and the poems that follow, you can find more of his work and a sampling of more of Toledo’s poets in the anthology Broadway Bards Firsts. Buy it here: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/broadway-bards-first/6469632?productTrackingContext=center_search_results" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://w ww.lulu.com/product/paperback/broadway-bards-first/6469632?productTrackingContext=center_search_results</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You can also find a few of Matt's poems here: <a href="http://thisispoetry.tumblr.com/">thisispoetry.tumblr.com</a>, and at <a href="http://rustytruck.wordpress.com/">The Rusty Truck</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy the interview. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What was the first poem you read? Do you remember? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t remember the first poem I ever read. This question brings several things to mind though and I want everyone to know some things about my childhood. I can clearly remember going to the Golden Jade restaurant on Navarre Ave., in Oregon, OH, with my parents a million times, and on our way there we would sing together, “ching, ching, Chinamen eat dead rats, don’t save none for the poor little cats”. This little song is just one of a dozen examples of how strange we were. My parents encouraged me to read and I began reading quite young. I can recall reading </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pete the Parakeet</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> aloud to anyone who would listen, and my family was kind enough to listen often. The first poetry I recall seeking out was John Lennon’s </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In His Own Write</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Spaniard in the Works</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where were you when you read this poem, and how old were you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I found John Lennon’s poetry at the Locke branch library. I read it there and at home and never actually returned the book. I was nine or ten I guess.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is that when you decided you wanted to write? Or did a different poem or occasion inspire you to start making your own poems?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I could remember the first poem I wrote, why I decided to write more, and whatever happened to those first scraps of paper. I do recall writing a poem for a girl I liked in grade school, I had to be eleven or even older. It was a poem that described flowers as fireworks. I had recently seen a bouquet of flowers that I wanted to give to her but the flowers cost like fifty bucks or something, and I came up with this idea to write about them instead. Maybe I was twelve or thirteen. She liked the poem, but decided to go out with this other guy. My sisters found something I wrote and they both told me I had to keep writing. The way women make us do things is pretty amazing, heh!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wonder who your first favorite poets were? Are you still reading those writers now, or have your tastes changed? To that end, who do you read now? Where do you turn when you need a poem that has the answers you're looking for?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, just to mix it up a bit and keep things progressing in some kind of time line, I received two books when I was a freshman in high school, I still have them: Jim Carroll’s </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fear of Dreaming,</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It took me awhile to dig Jim Carroll. I just wasn’t ready for it. Also, I think everyone would agree that Langston Hughes is much more entertaining for a kid than Jim Carroll. I think Langston Hughes was my first favorite poet and I still read his poetry in the summer. “Langston Hughes/ is like coffee/ in the morning/ when it is too hot/ and coffee is out of the question/”, one of the best lines I have ever written.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was always aware that Walt Whitman was the poet to read if you really wanted to find out how magical poetry can be. I cannot recall the first time I read his poetry, but I clearly recall spending three days in jail and finding a copy of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaves of Grass</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on a book shelf. I read most of the three days I was there and really that was when I went down the yellow brick road and spotted a worm hole between two of the bricks, popped a mushroom in my mouth to shrink in size to slither down, and I have not looked back since. Walt Whitman is my hero, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaves of Grass</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Bible, The Second Coming was Gregory Corso, and I know this because my heart tells me so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd like to talk about Whitman. When you and I chat on-line we never fail to mention Uncle Walt. On more than one occasion you've told me Walt Whitman saved your life. Can you elaborate? Was reading </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaves of Grass</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in jail a life-saving turn of events?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three days in jail is not a lengthy sentence. I suppose most people would barely remember it, like a case of the flu that struck years ago. I was in a terrible downward spiral at the time. I drank like a fish. Anyway, I was familiar with Walt Whitman’s writing and I asked to go to the prison library. I was informed that the library was closed on weekends but there was a shelf inside my cell block. I went to the shelf and found </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaves of Grass</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I read for like, fourteen hours, fell asleep and read more and more. After that I did continue drinking for another year or so, but I knew, because Uncle Walt told me over and over again, that I was supposed to be doing something better with my life than just drinking it away.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you think Walt Whitman has influenced your writing?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes! Walt influenced my writing, my lifestyle, my sense of self worth, everything. I would also say that Langston Hughes and Gregory Corso influenced me very much as well. I believe my writing craft is still not completely settled, I have not settled into a style or fashion I am still hoping to find other influences.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to talk about your process next. I wonder what your poems look like when you're making them. Does a poem come out of your mind fully formed? Do you revise a lot? Do you take notes and periodically revisit a poem until it's done?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I write a variety of ways. Occasionally I am aware of a process, but most of the time I am just writing any old thing. I have written poems in one sitting start to finish and never changed them. I am a notebook poet, I always type my poems out later, after they’re done. My poems look like chicken scratch in the beginning. I do set up many line breaks and pauses within the writing immediately. I can hardly even explain my process because I am not educated to do so. I can give you a couple of examples, but I am not certain that I can formulate the examples properly. The poem </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shortly After the Longacre Lane Nightmare</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the title is a line of sorts from an article in the newspaper, not an entire sentence. In the newspaper it looked something like this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Something something so shortly after somesomething something</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">somethingSomething the Longacre Lane something something</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SomeSomething Nightmare?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw those words in that order in a sort of pyramid and something just clicked. That particular poem came out just so, the very first time I wrote it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another poem that many people would probably not accept as a poem is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three Little Birds (all very different)</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I consider it one poem because I sat down at Brewed Awakenings one day and that was the way it just poured out of my head, I couldn’t believe it and I have never changed it or separated the parts or anything. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I Think About War,</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that is like the third version of that poem. I did change some lines and the first rough draft is different in length, but what I did between the first draft to the third draft is tighten it up, dropped some words that I thought were to weak for the power in the poem.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I revise some and what I tend to do is build poems out of little fragments very often. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eloquence</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an example of that. I first wrote:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The smell of banana bread</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Baking makes the cut up</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Watermelon </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Blush</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More recently I wrote:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems so simple</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The idea illuminated</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the mind</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like dust fluttering</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the waning sunbeams</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stretched across the dining room</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the end of the day</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Real long thoughts</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, I have to pause</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I begin to wonder</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do I have the </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">eloquence?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To put the idea out there</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And after I heard a poem performed by Michael Hackney in which he said, “the mosaic sky“, I thought of a line like the mosaic air, and most recently wrote this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the mosaic air</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some will see sky colored mortar and cloud colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While others will see cloud colored mortar and sky colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I might never know</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I guess it is revision and realignment of lines. I did not really change any of the words just built a poem out of little blocks of inspiration. Maybe this is a bit much for an answer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt, you have a great sense of humor, and it shows in your poems and your performances. I think humor is difficult to convey in poetry, yet you use it to good effect. What's the trick to it? How do you make a poem funny and not silly at the same time?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was in the third grade my parents were going through a messy divorce. My mother, sister and I went to live at my grandparents house for like three months while my parents were fighting in court. I had to change schools and then change back. When I came back to Sacred Heart after being in public school for three months I was given the opportunity to talk in front of the entire class about the difference between public school and Catholic school. I can remember standing in front of my classmates and doing like a fifteen minute comedy routine about the way public schools were different. All my classmates laughed at all my jokes and I can remember at one particular moment I realized in my little boy mind that this was really cool to get up in front of everybody and just say whatever funny thing I wanted to say.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I honestly don’t think I can answer this in a normal way. I write what I want to. I share the poems I think might be interesting or enjoyable to others, and I have notebooks filled with garbage. My sense of humor is my father’s sense of humor. I guess if I had an agenda or something it might include the idea that laughter is the best medicine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's a good nature in your poetry, too. And I know that's your good nature, because I've known you for a long time. Can you explain where that positive attitude comes from? Are you an optimist?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am an optimist. When I was a teen and in my early twenties I did a lot of drinking; because I picked up some bad habits early in life I feel I have a lot of catching up to do. I guess I have always had dreams that I wanted to accomplish, and I want to be helpful to others in some way. I am actually very shy and reclusive now, and the weird thing is that getting up in front of people to read poetry cuts through all of that in a very bold way. I barely understand myself at all. I am glad that a great man such as yourself finds me to be so worthy of your precious time. My optimism is very much attached to my belief in the American dream, my dreams are very much attached to simple joys of life and (finding or believing) that this whole world and our lives upon it are miracles.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm asking because you've said to me hundreds of times that poetry has saved your life, and that poetry can save other lives, as well. Do you really think that's true? And how can poetry save lives?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know. I think that there is just something that gets me out of my shell and makes me feel like I have to do something positive for myself and for others. I think there is just too much expensive electronic gadgetry at play in the world and that if people simplified their lives it would be for the better. I think poetry calmed me down on one hand and on the other hand it woke me up and got me going in a good direction. I often find myself thinking of the difference between poetry and NASCAR, I have no idea why? But, look at all of the precious resources wasted on watching cars go round and round and thousands of people put money into NASCAR all the time. Almost no money need be put into poetry. I guess the more I think of it the comparison is just too wildly different to put a sensible argument together. I don’t always want to be sensible though, so to hell with NASCAR and more power to poetry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you revise very much? Or do you find yourself to be more of a first draft and done kind of writer?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I write in different ways at different times. Sometimes, I obsess about a line or two and think there must be some epic poem in here somewhere, and then other times I just write and write and write and later on I edit. I dislike most of what I write in my notebooks. I do like the energy of poetry and sometimes I get the energy presented just right and it is good for me. I share only a fraction of what I write. I do believe the very best poems come right out of the mind on to the paper, no assembly required. I think most of my editing is line breaks and stanza breaks. I edit the pauses and silence of my poems more than I edit the words and sounds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do you write poems? Why not do everything else you normally do except write? How would your life be different?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I write because I love life and I have an awful lot to say. That is the simplest way to say it. I really enjoy reading poetry at home with my glasses off and anytime of the day will do. I read a poem and then I head out and do yard work, I read a poem and sit and breathe and reread the same poem over and over again. I get fixated on a line in a poem, sometimes. I want to live creatively and poetry is sort of my fuel for living creatively. I guess it is just a hobby, but, I think it is a bit different than putting together model airplanes. I have gone months and months without writing anything or attending any poetry readings and it is depressing. I am to the point where I need poetry in and around my life like air and water and loved ones.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">You've written several political poems over the years, many dealing with the Bush Administration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I love the way you bring humor to these subjects, but the fact is, they are subjects that are not always easy to talk about, let alone write about. Why do you think it's important to cover political issues in your poems?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, I could probably talk about this all day. I write what I feel like saying and I think my shortcomings and the shortcomings of the war and the mistakes made by our supposedly fearless leaders are extremely funny.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It seems like so many people write poetry, but according to sales statistics, not many people are reading it. Or I should say, not many people are buying it. To whom are you speaking when you write a poem if no one's reading poetry? Your poems feel like they're written for your life, because your life demands it, but do you ever think about an audience when you make a poem? Or is the audience of little concern to you?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I buy poetry, mostly dead poetry by authors long ago departed. The audience is an afterthought for me. I share the poems I think are best and keep the rambling garbage in my notebook where it will not explode into anyone’s ears like so many fingernails across the chalk board. I have most recently begun seeking out living poetry by poets whom are alive and kicking. I have much more to experience in this realm of living breathing poets and so far the adventure has begun on a good foot.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was remembering the first time I met you. I think it was at John Swaile's workshop at Brewed Awakenings, maybe ten or so years ago by now. I remember you brought </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your Name Here </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the workshop. So you show up at this workshop full of strangers and now here we are, having been reading together as features and at open-mics for the last several years. What makes Toledo such a special poetry place? Is there something in the water? And I wonder if you'd share a good Toledo Poetry memory with me, too, if you want to. Tell me about a good reading or special interaction with another poet you'll never forget, something like that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is how I remember meeting you and John and several others. I heard of a open mic reading at Brewed Awakenings and went, no one was there but these two guys in the back, and they suggested I go to Sam and Andy's. I went to Sam and Andy's the next week, there were tornado-like conditions that night but the place filled up. I think it was the last ,or second-to-last reading at Sam and Andy's. Anyway, I read at Sam and Andy's that night and I mentioned Brewed Awakenings. The next time I went to Brewed Awakenings it was packed and I was shocked.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a little foggy on the workshop, but I think it was shortly after that night. I remember being very hung over the first time I went to John Swaile's workshop. There was a small part of me that thought someone there would write a better version of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your Name Here</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I was glad to meet new people, I was in a transition and trying to stay away from all the bad influences from my past.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have no idea why there is such a fractured and polarized poetry scene in Toledo. I think there are many poets in Toledo who are so busy that they just can’t make it to all the poetry readings around town. I know that for myself I can only make it to the readings that my job and bank account will allow.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have many great memories of poetry readings in Toledo. Here are two in particular. John Swaile reading a portion Gregory Corso's poem </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bomb</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. That really opened things up in my mind and I thought John was a saint or something for introducing me to Corso's poetry. There were a thousand more things I wanted to talk to John about but, I was too shy and it is really a shame that I did not reach out to him more. Anyway, the other poetry reading interaction or whatever that I want to mention involves you Mr. Kocinski, yes you. I will never forget being at Brewed Awakenings one night and you were reading this poem, and there was some description of a bug, a firefly or a moth, and I was like really in tune to the groove you made with those words, and I started turning into a bug. I even rubbed my belly thinking of like how like armor an exoskeleton might be, or how it was just great to rub my bug belly. Man, I know it probably sounds crazy, but shit man, that experience was dope like the movie “The Fly” or something.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have some other stories and all but, those two are really popping out at me right now. I have been to many readings where poets have blown me away, I love the open mics and will catch any feature I can as long as my schedule permits.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is a generous selection of poems for your pleasure:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shortly After the Longacre Lane Nightmare…</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-27a9641b-f7a1-bfb3-9525-db5e1f5a33ae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shortly after the Longacre Lane massacre</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rabbits and squirrels disappeared</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The silent bells just hung there</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A scrap of paper scraped across the pavement</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Propelled by a warm summer breeze</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Barely noticed under the heavy humid air</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That seemed perched on every common shoulder</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like invisible flannel</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As if such a fabric could exist</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh no it could not exist</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It seemed as though nothing could exist</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shortly after the Longacre Lane massacre…</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Eloquence</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems so simple</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The idea illuminated</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the mind</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like dust fluttering</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the waning sunbeams</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stretched across the dining room</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the end of the day</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Real long thoughts</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, I have to pause</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The smell of banana bread</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Baking makes the cut up</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Watermelon</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Blush</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I begin to wonder</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do I have the</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Eloquence</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To put the idea out there</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the mosaic air</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some will see sky colored mortar and cloud colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While others will see cloud colored mortar and sky colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I might never know</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Normal Folks</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That little chair in the corner tells me I am home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love it and I am all emotional now, it is crazy I know.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Normal Folks aren’t like this and I feel that</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am plastered to the rear window because life moves like a fast car.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I am not at the wheel,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not the accelerator</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And so many young people have died in this war.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe they have saved my life, but I am not certain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing is certain, not the future, not these wars, not this recession,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing but this empty chair and I want to smash it into the floor;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to tear down the wall</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I would do it if it would end the war.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Move Along You Clouds</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You blob, you sponge, you dot, you brush stroke, you cloud</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Up going up slowly</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and with the wind</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sending you north-easterly</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> you puff, you smoke, you mist, you buttered bread breath clouds</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have seen you disperse</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">or gather rather</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you slash, you feather</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you herd, or loner</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">rebel</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">cloud uncrystal</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've parched and wilted</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">under the summer sun</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">hoping for your shadow</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where there are no trees</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">no buildings</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you rise like mountains</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you linger, you layer</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you giant, you spinner</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">no window</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You cloud, you dash, you blush</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">moving past my view</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">from the horizon you rose</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and having risen you go</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And afterward</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">when it is all dark without stars</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I cannot recall what of your shapes</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What was it that made clouds memorable</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">was it that they somehow made a wall</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, was it blue mortar and cloud colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">or cloud colored mortar and blue sky colored stones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No beams, no roof, not one drop of rain, just clouds</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I Think of War</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think of some little rascals</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With nothing better to do</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I see clearly the glimmer of sun</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">on the edge of a shiny new</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kay-Bar</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">military issue</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the razor’s edge</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the carcass of a water buffalo</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Three days dead</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">bloated and drawing flies</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think of war</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wide-eyed wild boys</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">filled with blood lust</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And a lack of morals</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Never say die</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Never say no</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Never say</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shit</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that corpse is disgusting</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just whip out that knife</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Peel open that over grown pig</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rib cage split wide and insides leaking out</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The stench the curdled blood globbing and clotting</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Spilling out</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And disregard all of that and reach in to that dead</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Broken body and carve out the beast’s heart</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gooey, sticky, blackened and oozing</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hold that heart up over your head</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You little rascal</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While the done giving life force</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">drips down your arm and stains your shirt</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That dead organ</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In all its glory</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That heart is war</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It never had to come up</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Never had to be dragged out</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Never should have seen the light of day</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet here it is and</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What the fuck is the point of holding it up</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like a prize like a crown</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like a psychotic killer maniac</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is how children act</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah I think about war</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I just assume it is better</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To think about something else</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Work in Progress</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m sure George W. Bush would know exactly where I’m coming from,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He seems to be in the same predicament as I am.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I had an awful amount of trouble writing this poem.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More trouble than I ever thought I would encounter because,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the beginning I believed this poem would greet me with open arms and flowers.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I had no idea that this poems beginning would be so suicidal and explosive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">See, the main reasons I started writing this poem where simple.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I had information that proclaimed this poem to possess weapons of mass destruction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And information that associated this poem with the terrorist evil-doers</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That masterminded the destructive acts committed to this country on September 11th.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought this poem had to be written,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So that it could be obliterated and a democracy could take its place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first sat down to begin the first few words crawled out of the pen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Man, I was so excited, I set up the greatest three day drinking binge ever</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and, in my drunken stupor I proceeded to call the Navy and the Air Force to arrange</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a flight out to one of their aircraft carriers in the middle of the Atlantic ocean</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">just so I could view my poem from 40,000 feet.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well the Navy and the Air Force both came through,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">they were so happy with themselves and I was too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I suggested to them to put a big old banner on their ship</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that announced to the world “Mission Accomplished”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, even when the mission is accomplished the poem doesn’t end. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I went straight to congress to ask them for eighty billion dollars </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I could finish my poem. By this time congress was confused</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They thought the poem was to be obliterated not reconstructed.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, they voted once, they voted twice, and they voted three times</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">to hand over the money real nice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Least I forget there was some oversight, Congress wanted to view my progress</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I turned over a poem with three lines two were explosive and one was regress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, Congress looked the poem over and suggested that I quit or start over</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and then went to recess.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The body count rose and the confusion did too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No civil war broke out in the Middle East </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I was the only one who knew just exactly what to do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With a wink and a nod a fourth line for this poem fell out of my pen</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was so excited I went right back to congress again</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">just to see if they had more money to spend.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Congress handed over plenty of more dough </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and they didn’t ask for progress they just showed me the door.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I wrote another line</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I took twenty vacations in a row.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One was cut short by a hurricane, but I didn’t complain</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wrote a completely different poem</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That I will never share with congress.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that by now some </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">of you probably feel dissed</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">just please don’t forget this is a work in progress.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Spider</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The fat spider September</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Right outside my window</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cleans her web</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Discarding this little leaf</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And that wilted petal of spring</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On this muggy evening</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The breeze is no good</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It comes and goes</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Much like the seasons</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And there is always work to be done</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A repair here and food to gather</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt the harvest land</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I swear</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is a tasty morsel </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think it landed right over there</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the spider’s movements </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Remind me of knitting needles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Or chop sticks</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Long slender tools </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Over warm necessities</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Food and shelter from </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The coming storm</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Summer’s almost gone</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">These Days</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stability is just around the corner</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is building up </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While we are waiting,</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keep the fat cats fat</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And give the poor some</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dream some hope some speech</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To believe in</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The poor are sheep to shear</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And bah, bah, bah</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No one wants to listen</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No one wants to hear</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Seek the war</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s over there </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Under construction</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Throw more money at it</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The pill the band aid</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Make it loud make it roar</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The hum of drones</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The drone of hummers</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And it is all unfinished</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So easily all undone</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just bang, bang, bang</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Aren’t we winning?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Aren’t we having fun?</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your Name Here</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been waiting for</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your name here to walk in</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and order something.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’d ask my waitress,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll have whatever </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your name here is having.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope that when this happens,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m chewing on </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">mint gum or something</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">cool, like a toothpick.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate James Dean moments</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">without a cigarette lit.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been waiting for </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your name here to walk in,</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">welcome two thousand</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">one, that’s me</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">by a wave of his </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">jacket over a chair,</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">pointing at the mic</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">with a Marlboro lit.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He’d ask no one </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and everyone “Who’s up?”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope I’ve got ketchup pouring or</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a salt shaker shaking</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">when Your name here walks in.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate James Dean moments </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">without a cigarette lit</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That Carolina smoke </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">going like a train</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that we all dance with</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">meeting in this smoked room.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been waiting for </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your name here to walk in,</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">grab about fifty napkins,</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and do his famous</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">cookie monster impression.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope I’ve got </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a noise maker or fireworks</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">going off when</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your name here walks in.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate James Dean moments </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">without a cigarette lit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-7000126322795031412014-03-12T19:25:00.001-07:002014-03-12T19:41:24.202-07:005 Books with Sarah Osborn<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Picking five favorite books is like picking the five body parts you'd most like not to lose." Neil Gaiman</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Asking someone to make a list of their five favorite books really is like asking someone to make a list of their five most essential body parts. Readers understand the parts are the whole, and every book we read is essential, and even if it isn't the best book one has ever read, part of it stays with us on a genetic and a spiritual level. I dared several friends to take the 5 Book challenge. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sarah Osborn is a teacher, a kitchen mystic, a Corgi whisperer, jazz lover, and an enthusiastic, generous friend. Here are her 5 Books. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five of my favorite books (Which I'll want to change it as soon as I've shared them):</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1.<u> Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World</u>, Haruki Murakami.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murakami has an ability to take me along into a fantasy world using very convincing small twists and beautiful language. I don't really think I even like "fantasy," but I love his books that are filed under that genre. Reading this is like falling into the rabbit hole, and not feeling it happen until you're halfway down the tunnel. By the time you realize where you are, you've made sense of all that is around you - even if it's more than a little "off."
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Tie: <u>Everything's Illuminated/Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close</u>, by Jonathan Safran Foer. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">JSF is great at putting really fine points on things. He writes a lot about love and happiness, sadness and death using imperfect characters we can't help but adore.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span><u style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Stranger,</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Albert Camus.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I especially love the way Camus uses his description of sunlight to intensify Mersault's emotions. Because of that, I usually read this book on a scorching sunny day or in the middle of a snowstorm for maximum enjoyment.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4.</span><u style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> East of Eden</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">, John Steinbeck. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's like an epic soap opera about that stuff we refer to as "good" and "evil." How didn't Steinbeck's brain and heart not explode with all of his feelings and insights into what makes people tick? What an amazing writer - I love all of his stories (especially Cannery Row, which you, MK, turned me on to!).
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. <u>Cloud Atlas</u>, David Mitchell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">DISLCAIMER: This book isn't really in my top 5 of all time - it is just the last book I read that truly impressed me. Other books which fit that bill:<u> Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates</u>, Tom Robins; <u>Blindness</u>, Jose Saramago; <u>The Road</u>, Cormac McCarthy; <u>The Story of Edgar Sawtelle</u>, David Wroblewski; <u>Dance Dance Dance</u>, Haruki Murakami.
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 17.940000534057617px; white-space: pre-wrap;">All novels. Nothing too heavy, not saying that these are the best books of all time - just the books I like especially.</span>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-53399405641859907512014-02-20T18:18:00.001-08:002014-04-24T18:56:45.678-07:005 Questions with Ashley Eichner<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Ashley Eichner is a poet, multi-media visual artist, spoken word performer, secret shaman, and gentle spirit from Toledo, OH. She's a member of the Back To Jack Reader's Theater, and the organizer behind the annual Charles Bukowski memorial reading, held at a local watering hole called The Attic. She's also a dear friend and a enthusiastic supporter of local art and artists. Here we discuss poetry, briefly, and a few of her favorite poems. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!<br />
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<i>Do you read poetry?</i><br />
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Yes! I very much enjoy reading poetry. I like to bring along a poetry book and read it aloud on long road trips. Or if my mind can't focus in on a book I love poetry. It sinks in easier to an anxious mind.<br />
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<i>Do you have a favorite poet?</i><br />
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I do have a favorite poet, well many favorites but two really that get me. I should say I get them. Charles Bukowski is one of my all time favorites. I love his gruff exterior and warm, lovely interior. Bukowski has the ability to stop and really see the beauty in the moment, even if that moment is shitty or mundane. He understands those dark moments in life and can turn them into poetry, literally.</div>
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James Tate is also a favorite of mine. Tate's work is at times bizarre. He can be unexpectedly violent and then so whimsical in the next moment. I love what I perceive to be his inner child, channeling through his work. His poems can be silly and down right ridiculous but always lovely.</div>
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I identify with these two poets so much because their personalities, as reflected in their work, are pieces of my own personality. We all speak the same language, if you will. I get them.<br />
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<i>Do you have a favorite poem?</i><br />
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I have many favorites but these couple really sink into my soul.<br />
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<i>Once In a While</i> <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/charles-bukowski">Charles Bukowski</a></div>
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it is only</div>
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once in a while<br />
that you see<br />
someone whose<br />
electricity<br />
and presence<br />
matches yours<br />
at that<br />
moment<br />
and then<br />
usually it's<br />
a stranger.<br />
it was 3 or 4<br />
years ago<br />
i was walking on<br />
Sunset Blvd<br />
toward Vermont<br />
when<br />
a block away<br />
i noticed a<br />
figure moving<br />
toward me.<br />
there was something<br />
in her carriage<br />
and in her walk<br />
which<br />
attracted<br />
me.<br />
as we came<br />
closer<br />
the intensity<br />
increased.<br />
suddenly<br />
i knew her<br />
entire history:<br />
she had lived<br />
all her life<br />
with men<br />
who had never really<br />
known her.<br />
as she approached<br />
i became almost<br />
dizzy.<br />
i could hear her<br />
footsteps as<br />
she approached.<br />
i looked into<br />
her face.<br />
she was as<br />
beautiful<br />
as i had<br />
imagined she<br />
would be.<br />
as we passed<br />
our eyes fucked<br />
and loved and<br />
sang to each<br />
other<br />
and then<br />
she moved<br />
past me.<br />
i walked on<br />
not looking<br />
back.<br />
then<br />
when i looked<br />
back<br />
she was<br />
gone.<br />
what is one<br />
to do<br />
in a world<br />
where almost everything<br />
worth having<br />
or doing<br />
is<br />
impossible?<br />
I went into<br />
a coffee shop<br />
and decided that<br />
if i ever saw<br />
her again somehow,<br />
I'd say<br />
"listen, please<br />
i just must<br />
speak to<br />
you..."<br />
I never saw her<br />
again<br />
I never will.<br />
the iron in our<br />
society silences<br />
a man's<br />
heart<br />
and when you<br />
silence a man's<br />
heart<br />
you leave him<br />
finally with only<br />
a cock.<br />
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And then one from <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/james-tate">JamesTate</a>:<br />
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<i>Five Years Old</i></div>
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The iceman had been very generous that day<br />
with his chips and slivers.<br />
<br />
And I had buried my pouch of jewels<br />
inside a stone casket under the porch,<br />
their beauty saved for another world.<br />
<br />
And then my sister came home<br />
and I threw a dart through her cheek<br />
and cried all night,<br />
<br />
so much did I worship her.<br />
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<i>Why does the poem stick with you?</i></div>
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The poems stick with me for different reasons. Tate's because it was the first of its kind for me. I was a teen who had just discovered all these wonderful poets. Then there is this guy. A grown up, professional poet writing such bizarre works. I loved it so much I made a painting of it. Tate uses such wonderful imagery. Another cool example I will share with you is from his poem entitled <i>Coda. "Now on our backs in Fayetteville, Arkansas the stars are falling into our cracked eyes. With my good arm I reach for the sky and let the air out of the moon. It goes whizzing off to shrivel and sink into the ocean." </i>I just really love his view of the world.</div>
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Bukowski's poem sticks with me because he speaks the truth. It maybe ugly and gruff but it is the truth. He gets those moments that happen in life. He feels so deeply.<br />
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<i>Do you remember the first poem you read? And the circumstance surrounding it?</i></div>
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I am certain I read many as a child. I loved Shel Silverstein. But I really started to get into poetry in my teenage years. I read all of the books in the young adult section at the Washington Branch Library, one of my favorite haunts as a cool teen, then moved to the art /poetry section. I found Jack Kerouac's <u>On the Road</u> and I fell in love with the freedom he spoke of. I started reading more of his work. I loved the excitement and soulflness of his work. I found Bukowski after that. I remember thinking in my teenage mind "Wow! A dude more depressed than Kurt Cobain!". He was a rebel. I was in love. The older I get, the more life experience I have under the belt, the more I appreciate his work and see the depth in it.</div>
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<i>Docent Notes</i>: The poem <i>Once in a While, </i>by Charles Bukowski is included in the posthumous collection <u>Come On In! New Poems</u>, published in 2006 by ECCO/Harper Collins, and the poems <i>Five Years Old</i>, and <i>Coda</i>, by James Tate, are included in his <u>Selected Poems</u>, published in 1991 by Wesleyan.</div>
The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-26312471346321956732014-02-10T20:52:00.000-08:002015-06-10T07:57:12.291-07:00Writing Never Felt Like a Choice: The Lindsey Forche Interview<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I met Lindsey Forche a few years ago when we were both employees at Borders in Toledo. It didn’t take long for us to learn we both had a mutual love for Tori Amos, a shared interest in poetry, and a strong desire to write the quintessential American novel or poetry collection. We talked about poetry but we shared very little of our original work with one another. I recall, in the mess of my memory, giving Lindsey a copy of a poem I was working on to read in the break room at Borders, and reading an e-mail from her with several of her musical, fierce poems attached.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, in July 2009, I invited Lindsey to read as a feature at the Ground Level, one of Toledo’s poetry venues. My friend John, who was also scheduled to read, died quite unexpectedly a month before the reading. We all agreed to go ahead with the reading anyway, which became a kind of wake for John, whom Lindsey had never met. In spite of being surrounded by dozens of people she didn’t know, mourning a loved one also unknown to her, Lindsey read her poems and also very graciously read a few John’s, and she read them with grace, care, and tenderness. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her own poems seemed to glow, they were so new to many of us who’d been reading together for so long. At this point I’d still never heard Lindsey read her own poems, and though I had seen them and read them, I wasn’t prepared for the music of them. Lindsey’s poems are characterized by a musical inner rhyme and unexpected enjambed lines that feel flirty. It’s like you’re following them somewhere and they keep stopping to look at you, over their shoulder, sort of smoldering and fierce. And you don’t know if it’s a good idea to keep following them but you do. You can’t help yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I can cheat a little bit, in order to describe her poems, I’d say they feel like a mash up between Ann Sexton and Tori Amos. They sexual, tense, razor sharp, and so intelligent. The women who populate the Tori Amos songbook are closely related to the women in Lindsey’s poems; they share a certain upended expectation of what their intelligence and beauty should have provided them, and there’s a certain kind of restraint and world weariness I feel like I only see in poetry by the best women writers. Here, in these poems, you find Pandora’s, Eve’s, and Medusa’s descendants. You will also find a sense of humor, an intellect that’s playful and slyly winking, a come-hither glance and a please stay at arm’s length glare. It’s the Madwoman in the Attic walking down the stairs, filled with resignation and expectation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy this interview, and these poems, read them out loud over and over again. Try reading them with the props Lindsey uses to write them, and have your favorite music playing in the background and a glass of robust Cabernet in hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for reading. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-1df3da92-1f1c-511b-6356-cea24b896a30" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started thinking about what makes your poems unique to me. One of the things that struck me right off is that your poems make me think of Tori Amos lyrics before they make me think of poets as influences. And I know you like Tori as much as you like Sexton or Plath. So can you talk about the role of popular music in the making of your poems? I think we have so much more media today to sift through, and maybe all those varied noises and words and concepts do more to shape our work than the influence of a few much-loved and well-read poets with a capital "P"</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I agree with this. And Tori really was one of my very first “poetic” influences. I remember my mom driving me to ballet class when I was really young, and “God” came on the radio, and I just thought, This is what I want to do. Not through music, necessarily, though I tried piano lessons after that, but just to express myself the way she did. I’ve known since I was in preschool that I wanted to be a writer. I wrote silly little poems and sent them to children’s periodicals I found in the Writer’s Market Guide, and some of them saw print and some of them received cute little rejection letters. But hearing that song, that piano, those lyrics, changed the way I thought about words and their power. To be honest, I think music influences me more than just about anything else. Writing the rough draft of my novel, I’d put the songs on rotation and pour myself a glass of creative juice, which in my case is Cabernet Sauvignon. Emily Haines (daughter of the poet Paul Haines), old Death Cab for Cutie, Cat Power, Elliott Smith, Bon Iver, Gregory Alan Isakov, Sun Kil Moon—these are examples of the artists that I love. There’s nothing like the feeling that gets inside you when you’re listening to a song you wish you would have written, that you feel in your bones, that makes you break. And poetry, for me, puts the fractured pieces together in a tangible way, or at least makes them look better broken. When I listen to music that astounds me, I ask myself why I’m astounded, and then I must write. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess I should have started by asking who are your influences or poetry heroes. I think it's easy to assume a young woman who writes poems is influenced by Plath, or Sexton,since they're the most talked about, but I sense a wider range in your poems. Who else do you read? And why do like those poets?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It would be untruthful of me to dismiss Sexton as a primary poetic influence. When I discovered her, I fell head over heels in love and devoured her work and her biography and talked about her to anyone who would listen. I relate to her compulsion to write as an alternative to inner disaster. I also like that Sexton didn’t “look” like a poet; she was a housewife, not formally educated in literature, and wrote about sordid female things others didn’t dare delve into. She got flack about it; she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Plath, also, was an early influence. I was fascinated by the lyrical quality of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lady Lazarus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. But I also started my love affair with poems by reading Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, and Pablo Neruda. I read the great, popular stuff very young, and then wrote awful poetry of my own in its likeness. I’m really into Carolyn Forche right now (and not because we share a last name!) for the vividness and sense of place in her poems. Margaret Atwood’s works are perfection to me; she displays such power in poetry so perfunctorily. Really, though, many of my inspirations are writers of novels and short stories that come across as lovely as poetry. Annie Dillard, Tom Drury, Lorrie Moore, James Greer—God, how I adore a concise story comprised of beautiful words! I want, more than anything, to read what’s beautiful. A good writer or poet can spin a hell of a yarn with very little fabric. They can take what the rest of the world’s thrown out and recycle it for us, into magical things. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel like one of poetry's great gifts to the poet and the audience is that it insists on having a wide range of interests, but the most magical poems are specific, narrow, in a way, they only take up a little space but they're still vast. What else besides reading and writing poetry motivates you to make poems?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heightened inner experience, feeling something spectacular about what seems outwardly mundane—that’s primarily what I want to express. I’m obsessed with the passage of time, with how it changes us, with how we can’t have it back. Also, I’ve been very exploratory when it comes to the theme of home, and what home really means to different people. I guess time and home are both prevalent themes of my own life; I go back and try to make sense of what’s happened in my past. Sometimes it comes out in the craziest formations of words! I write poems that I have to go back afterward and analyze. I write before I think, then I revise. Writing never felt like a choice to me; it’s a very ordinary part of my day. Even when I’m otherwise unproductive, I journal. Some people need cigarettes or chap stick or coffee to get through their day. I need a black Paper Mate.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although I've yet to write a poem about my daughter Reese (it’s difficult, I admit, for me to write about people who make me happy!), she is the fire under my desire to write. Since her birth, I have a deep need to figure myself out, to make all those little nagging undone things matter less, because she matters more. My lovely grandmother who passed away when I was ten always put emphasis on simple joys; we drank cranberry juice from crystal wine goblets and made a big deal of the pumpkin farm in autumn. I want my daughter, and my poems, to have that quality.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm glad you mentioned your daughter. How does having a child change the way you approach writing? I mean the action of physically writing and also the mental work that goes into starting and finishing a poem. When my son was new, I wrote all the time. But now, well, I relate to your comment about the simple joys, because it's difficult to find the time or the mental space to write with a two year old in the house, though I am filled with inspiration and continue to journal, it's a bit harder to do the day-to-day writing I once did.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think having a child has both helped and hindered my writing. I'm jealous that you were able to write when your son was a newborn, because I could not find my muse! Being a mother limits the time I have to write, but on the flip-side, I have become much more productive in all areas of my life now that I know I can’t put things off for “later.” Plus, I absolutely believe that parents are responsible for showing their children (as opposed to telling them) that every dream is possible, and that following one’s passion in life is necessary. My passion, of course, is for writing. I never want Reese to read my old-school journals and say, “My mom loved writing back then, but she quit because she had a family instead.” </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel like there's a strange manipulation of time and place in your poems. I find it difficult to describe what I mean, but I picture the women in your poems wearing skirts and stockings, smoking Chesterfields, drinking martini's or something, all while listening to Death Cab on an iPod and blogging about abortion rights and gender equality. There's a sense of being contained, too, of being restricted, and some frustration maybe that the role of women in society hasn't changed that much. I suppose I could be off center, but there's something about the concern with domestic matters and femininity in your poems that gets me thinking about political issues as well as personal and poetic ones. I realize I'm not asking a question here, but I'm curious how you feel about women's roles, as you address them in your work. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve moved around quite a bit throughout my life, and I’ve gotten fixated on how, even when we’re undergoing drastic change, life moves on without us. I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and moved to Toledo in junior high when my dad got a new job. A week after high school, I threw everything I owned into my Honda Civic and moved back home. I made a terrible, beautiful disaster of things—you’re supposed to do that in those years, I think. To make a long, long, long story short, I drove back to Toledo at twenty-one, leaving my apartment, my school, my friends, my job, to escape a six-headed monster of a relationship. There were years I lived like a sort of vagrant, just wanting to experience everything so I could write about it. I dove head-first into the abyss. I longed to live like song lyrics. Many times I involved myself with less-than-stellar people, mainly men. I still, even being married and having a child and a semblance of stability, feel lost between dimensions somehow. I try to connect myself to who I was then, and then, and then. I used to visit a dignified ninety-something year old woman at a ritzy nursing home. She’d gone to law school when women didn’t go to law school, and in her elderly days she seemed to drift from year to year, and she told these incredible stories of women “way back when.” About asylums, rich husbands, laudanum to shut women up. I’m still enthralled by the subject. I went to see the old state hospital in Traverse City, Michigan around that time, before it got fancy-schmancy with galleries and all that jazz. The history of the place had my blood doing a dance in my veins. When I was in my string of emotionally abusive relationships, I felt such a connection with women who were locked up so they wouldn’t need to be dealt with, who were dubbed “hysterical” by men who drove them to hysterics and a world that didn’t allow them a voice. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And while I'm on the subject of gender equality, I've been wondering if you think poetry is "gendered"? I mean, does a poem written by a man or a woman give the sex of it's author away with gender cues? Are there topics or points of interest that are more commonly associated with one or the other gender?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t think it has to be. But I think that, perhaps inadvertently, my poems scream female. There are poems out there about all variety of nature and love and sex and family and everything else that either a man or a woman could have written. I suppose I am most passionate, in my own writing, about being female. I’ve lived in several old houses and have always wondered most about what kind of women lived in those rooms and which kind of perfume they wore and what color lipstick the mirror watched them put on. I’m fascinated by time, by place, and also by fashion and how it changes through time and what a dress says about the person wearing it. I tend to record what people are wearing in my writing. Even in my journal, I describe outfits and hairstyles of people I know. Maybe there are male writers who do this too, but I don’t know any! I honestly have never thought about it until this very moment, but I would guess that a psychologist might say that I use physical appearance to describe (or figure out) what’s within all those threads and hemlines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a writing ritual? Do you think it's important to have writing rituals? You mentioned black Paper Mate pens earlier in the interview, is that your brand? Sometimes I think writers have same kind of performance superstitions as athletes, and will only use certain paper or pens, or drink a certain brand of coffee when they write.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do have my little ingrained quirks, and preferences I've picked up over time--especially the pens. I only use black Paper Mates. And they're so cheap! A new box is like Christmas. When I was little, I loved green Paper Mates. They're hard to find, but I ordered a box recently, and occasionally I'll change it up and use green again. I also adore the Cavallini Roma Lussa leather journal, the larger size. They've become sort of my trademark blank book; I don't write as well in any other. When I'm writing or revising, I prefer having my music and a glass of dry red wine next to the keyboard.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read an essay about making your work/creative place sacred, and I've been curious about writers work-spaces ever since. Do you have a writing space at home, or is there a place you go to work? And do you think it makes a difference to have a special or sacred place for your writing, or will any place with a flat surface and adequate quiet do?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have the perfect office: a beautiful old wood desk with pigeonholes and a hutch, and a big sturdy bookshelf my husband had made for me, and a bulletin board with all my vintage scraps and old photos. And to be honest, I've written in there maybe three times. For some reason, I gravitate to our desktop in the room off the kitchen. It's cluttered and not particularly inspiring, and my chair is anything but cozy, but I can stare out the ground-level windows or get up and walk around or grab a snack (or another glass of Cabernet) when I'm stuck on a word or an idea. Sometimes I get up and work out in the next room, and then go back to my messy post. There's something about moving around that gets my brain going.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talked about music earlier: Do you listen to music when you write?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always. I prefer pure silence, aside from my songs. I even make playlists based on particular moods, or playlists for certain characters, so when I'm writing I can instantly get to the place I need to go. Music transports me immediately, and after a long day of work and taking care of a baby and doing all the little mundane chores we need to do to stay afloat, a girl can use a little help. Before I had other people to take care of, it was easier to walk around in a cloud of poems and dreams and self-absorption.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you think a person is called to write poetry? When you were a little girl, writing your poems for children's magazines, you wrote from a place of pleasure, I presume, not because someone made you do it, right? And you kept on writing. Why do you do it?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my Catholic elementary school, we were taught that our talents are God's gifts to us, and that wasting them is, if not sinful, extremely disappointing to God. That stuck with me, even in my least religious years. I believe more and more, as I get older, in Dharma, and that we should find the thing that makes us happiest, and use it in some way to serve humanity. Could there be anything better? More than anything, I write because I love to write. When I think of what truly makes me feel a sense of oneness with the universe, it's sitting at my computer with a Paper Mate pen and my leather journal and seven open Microsoft Word documents and indie music on rotation, figuring out a way to say something--to really say it, in a way that makes it finally make sense.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did you have a poetry mentor? Was there someone in your life who encouraged your writing?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dad's sister writes, and she actually lent me that first magical copy of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writers Market Guide</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. My teachers usually found my bibliolust and pen-to-paper compulsion endearing. For the most part, I found my "talent" to be something unique; discovering others as fascinated by words was rare, but fabulous when it happened. That was one of my reasons for really enjoying my stint at Borders. For a time, it brought book-lovers together. I haven't lacked in encouragement, but I don't think I grew up in a particularly artistic environment. It felt natural to find the luster in ordinary surroundings.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have an audience in mind when you're writing poems? Do you have a perfect reader? Or is the issue of audience irrelevant to you? I imagine thinking of who will read your poems can be a trap, because don't you think you might start writing for that audience alone, albeit accidentally?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my poetry, especially, I try to throw all consideration for an audience out a top-floor window. If I allow myself to feel any sort of judgement in advance, I couldn't write an honest piece. However, after I've written something, I become skeptical about sharing it. Reading poetry out loud to people who know you is kind of like that naked-at-school dream. I'm trying to get over that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is my last question for you. Earlier today I read an excerpt from a statement Yusef Komunyakaa made about poetry. He said it reconnects us to the act of dreaming ourselves into existence. Do you think poetry helps people live their lives? Has it helped you live yours?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love that! And I believe it. I believe that we manufacture our own experience. When I write, I create the world I want to live in--a world that finds beauty in a factory town and a dive bar and herringbone skirt. The advantage to being a writer or any variety of artist or idealist, is the ability to swivel perspective. Sometimes a trying situation enables us to move closer to the place where we see a greater truth about the world, or about ourselves. For me, a poem is like a finished crossword puzzle, all those massive questions answered in a space of simple words</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smoke and Mirrors</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In other rooms I was other girls.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Praying, simpering, smoking</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to smoldering fires in fireplaces</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in lamplit houses.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Deaths and divorces and unpaid bills</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">piled in the archives and attics,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as such things do, and all my hats</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">were powerless to stop them.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A little exhibitionist,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I changed my dress.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Friends hustled through doors, stamping</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">snow in muddy rugs. Footprints</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">are forever, I thought. I practiced</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an unpracticed look of bemusement.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Every year, the suitcases, stuffed,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">saturated with lifeless scraps of life, were</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">drug like the undug dead, to pile in</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the backseat: again, again.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A little chauvinist,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I changed my dress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The swing and slam of the screen door</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is summer, simplified. A little ajar, and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the ants marched two by two into the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gingersnaps. Sweetly succulent death!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How gluttonous are we? Our bodies piled</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like rugs on the upholstery, where we’ve</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spilled punch and poison. I got up while they</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">slept. I slipped on stilettos and left.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A little optimist,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I changed my dress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In fall, I devoured pears and wore a</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fedora and a mint-colored trench coat</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">doused in vintage perfume. I drove on new</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">streets and thought new thoughts.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> An airplane gave me over to Vegas, my tanned</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">limbs swathed in piles of tulle and neon.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cha-ching! The machines sing, alive like nothing</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">else, like nothing else, like nothing else really is.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A little hedonist,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I changed my dress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The long prissy gown gave way to</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">feathers and sass. Swinging and sashaying</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">around town, we lifted our drinks</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to hairspray, to cash, to the circular vow.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In other rooms I was other girls.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How I ran through halls, and erased</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unpretty things! The 1920s blooms piled in</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the wallpaper erupted in spastic flame.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A little singed mess,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sat tight in my dress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Argonauts in the Attic</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once upon a time there were Argonauts in the attic.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was three.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They sat me down for tea.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello, little alien, they said. You pretty bowed thing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They said, Your father visits us in television time. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now--god forsaken skeletons.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s hell on Townsend Avenue, my pine tree</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Torn up at its very seams. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason, could you let this be?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My house is gone, you see. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now the cellar and later the foundation.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But where and who are you,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My movie muse? My neon news,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My daddy said you were a dream.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So do me in and in and in.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You cannot say you are not real. My earliest</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Memory is your concave ribcage, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your beautiful bones. I could not wait to sleep-</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inside of me, inside the deep. Your</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beehives, your TV mystique. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I snuck out, a lemony closet twilight dream--</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your ivory keys played songs for me.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’d cheat! What childish misery.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But oh, how you belonged to me,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your china arms, your teasing teeth.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maud, 1926</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the asylum, a cinnamon kiss.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You, sir, are an attorney. Your wife,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">then-- she wears Chanel shoes and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gardenias at her wrist and a linen gown</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with a number</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(pig off to slaughter).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is your own Holocaust apocalypse,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">women sucking laudanum </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">popsicles, whore mouths</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in your whore-house. Now,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bite down, electrify, </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my darling. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She must be mad, she</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">must be bored.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing like a bone-white room</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for stolen crumbs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of solitude,</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you’ll argue</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and you’ll</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">argue </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(dear it’s what is best for you) </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And what is best, so shall</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she do. It’s the times, and the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">money-- the maids and barred </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">verandas keep her back</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from jumping through. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You, sir, forget to miss</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her shackled arms and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sweet perfume. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She leaves a sweater</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a letter</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a daughter.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pennsylvania</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bring me apples. I want tough skin,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want back all my autumns.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was something, back then, when</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">leaves turned in the Midwest.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the pulp, and I remember best</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the sweet breath.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It happens in the silhouettes, I get</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it in periphery- to the left I see</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bulbous fruit on little trees. All those</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">years ago I brushed their tears</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into the sink, the wings and worms</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and cavities. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made a pie. I made an offering</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the fruit flies. Now I want them</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">back again, all scandal, rot, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all sucrose sin. Bring me apples</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and I’ll bring you happiness. We’ll</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">always measure less. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s the law of the land. It’s the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">man. It’s my hand. I ask and ask</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for the test. Orchards in October:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here’s an elegy. It’s never enough and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there’s never any more. It burned in my</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">oven, black to the core. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bring me apples. I’m the girl in the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">back-seat who said, My life’s a movie.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brunette and burnt orange, siren red</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lips and landscape. Years and years, the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">colours bleed, but the taste is</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sweet, in memory. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gloss</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My face could be yours, or anyone’s.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I woke up like Medusa, only</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she’s harder than I am.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She doesn’t mind the ugliness,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forked and reptilian.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s commercialism to help:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">colonics and teeth trays and overdoses.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s one good thing, in any case:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women are artists. I paint a face on</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the hall mirror, and band the snakes,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And suck myself into sexiness.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Days and days, we’re getting worse</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think. I am twenty-two.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seventy-year old heiresses look younger,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All shellac and Shalimar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their pores gleam in magazines; it’s done</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with needles now, if you can afford it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, if you can swing the reversal of</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">damage you can smoke glamorously</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and sport an Amazon tan and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">laser-luscious skin. One day I’ll</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have a daughter who will refuse</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to pay attention to the hype or</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the stars. She will transcend space.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She will live like snakes. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At least, it’s what we say. We</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hope for better, for less greed</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or more grit, but only if</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everyone else is doing it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Telltale Heart</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knocked on the door of</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The life I left behind,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And ended up in your</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> red room.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once, it was celery green,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And ours,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But now it’s fair. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My clock, the little clock</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I left there, is </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stopped on the wall,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stuck and stuck and stuck</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At eleven. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our dog is old. It’s been</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Years since I’ve kissed</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His auburn hair.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You make me peanut butter and</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jelly; I stare</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the full-length mirror on</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The back of the door,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trying to see myself at nineteen.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come here, you call. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But she isn’t here, I say.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She isn’t here, she’s</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stuck and stuck and stuck</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other side,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In that other time somewhere.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her hip bones, like</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wings in jeans with tears,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are buried in boxes,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In photographs <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lithographs <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Telegraphs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my attic room</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You left the same</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upstairs. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see you sometimes,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Standing up there,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the pink, church bells</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chiming, and my empty chair.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come here, you say to the air.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My ghosts touch your hands,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your hair.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The phonograph plays epitaphs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beneath the stairs.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-5938191456517448842013-12-28T21:42:00.001-08:002013-12-28T21:42:41.629-08:005 Books with Erin Lottier<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
"Picking five favorite books is like picking the five body parts you'd most like not to lose." Neil Gaiman</div>
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Asking someone to make a list of their five favorite books really is like asking someone to make a list of their five most essential body parts. Readers understand the parts are the whole, and every book we read is essential, and even if it isn't the best book one has ever read, part of it stays with us on a genetic and a spiritual level. I dared several friends to take the 5 Book challenge.
Here's the first of several book lists you can expect to see here. This one is from my friend, Erin Lottier. She's a student at Lourdes University, the biggest Dr. Who fan I know, and really one of the nicest people you're ever going to meet. </div>
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1) <u>I Heard the Owl Call My Name </u>by Margret Craven
I chose this book because it was the first book that I read in school that was not one of the "classics." I had no idea what to expect and I ended up absolutely loving it. It was the first time in a book that I was able to see, in my mind's eye, the scenery, the people, and so on.
2) <u>To Kill a Mockingbird</u> by Harper Lee
I chose this book because it was the first book that I liked to so much that I read it twice. I've only read two other books a second time, <u>World War Z</u>, and <u>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.</u></div>
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3) <u>American Gods</u> by Neil Gaiman
After reading nothing but primary and secondary source historical readings for upwards of 10 years, my introduction to Neil Gaiman lit a fire in my soul that I had long ago forgotten. <u>American Gods</u> was not the first Neil Gaiman book that I read, but it was by far my most favorite.
4) <u>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</u> by Douglas Adams
Do I really have to explain why? The whole series is great but the first book is probably my favorite.
5) <u>World War Z</u> by Max Brooks
Having my degree in history, the way that this book is set up is so appealing to me. It is simply a series of interviews, stories told by the person who lived it. It reminds me of listening to old men tell stories of their days in the war. This book is not just about zombies, in fact the zombies are part of the background. This book is about the people who encounter the zombies and how they handle it. Some handle it like fucking badasses, some turn cowards, some see a boatload of money to be made, some simply break under the pressure of it all. This book is so wonderfully written. I mean that it tells the story of each person in such distinctly different voices. I can tell you what each person's voice sounds like, how they speak, if they have an accent, when they pause and for how long. There is no narration. There is no back story apart from the prologue. It is bare and simple and beautiful.</div>
The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-33847139277775286452013-12-09T22:58:00.001-08:002013-12-09T22:58:29.020-08:00Chasing The Ting, the Ray Patrick Interview<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ray Gene Patrick wears lots of denim, and t-shirts adorned with wolves and dream-catchers, and other Native American motifs, and black clothes, and he </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">used</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to wear a hand-made beret a lady friend knit for him, he wore that a lot, he called it his Poet Hat. Ray used to wear turquoise rings. I don’t think he wears them anymore. He always carries a satchel or a briefcase, something he found second-hand, and it's full of poems, bottles of wine or beer, disposable cups, photographs, and things, gifts for someone. He has his friends in mind, and gives many of us tokens of admiration he finds while rummaging through second-hand shops and his own belongings. He had a vast collection of stuff: magic rocks, books, oils he used for massage and other things, posters, post cards, vintage clothes, funny hats, plants, lighters--odds and ends like that fill his life and briefcase, and he makes gifts out of it all. Every time I see him he has a small token to give, something he thought I might like or thinks I could use.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Here you’ll find references to other poets in town, some I’ve interviewed or mentioned before. You’ll learn about a few important locations, like Sam ‘n Andy’s, Brewed Awakenings, and Noble Thought, which were all coffee shops where poetry was featured here in Toledo. 'Any Wednesday' was a monthly get together at Ray’s home where touring musicians, primarily jazz and folk artists, could hang out, jam with local musicians, unwind and relax. It’s still going on today, the first Wednesday of the month. It’s a little lower key these days, but still fun. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> You should also know this: Ray is a real outlaw poet. In this life he has been a yoga instructor, a soldier, a pimp, a drug dealer, a taxi cab driver, a father; he was friends with blacks and gays when such a thing didn’t win one any awards. He can read palms and auras. He makes beautiful ceramic pots. He paints and draws, and writes poems. In deep meditation he discovered what his past lives were like. He married several times. What follows is an interview that is by turns tender, vulgar, warm, blasphemous, sacred, sexual, and sometimes bombastic and willfully antagonistic. If you have dearly held religous beliefs, be prepared. If you’re sensitive about sex, be prepared. There’s a lot of talk about both here. Ray was an enthusiastic meditator and skirt chaser. All roads of conversation lead back to God, or, as Ray affectionately and crudely puts it, pussy. Ray pursued meditation until he saw the “White Light”, and he pursued women, and sex-love with the same vigor. In fact, it might be fair to say that God and sex are the same thing to Ray. Find out for yourself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our interview takes place in a local coffee shop where Ray and I have previously spent many hours together. We begin and Ray notices what a piece of crap my hand-held tape recorder is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RAY: </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I’ve got one of those I never use, would you like to have it?</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MIKE: Sure.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Remind me when we go out, you can have the damn thing ‘cause I never use it.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m going to have to start taking this in the car with me, ‘cause I write poems in my head on my drive home every night. So anyway, the TING? </span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay. The TING (Ray is referring to a short collection of his original poems called </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TING</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is of course spiritual poetry, and I deliberately, but then I, I went back and re-read it and it I thought “You still got some sexual things in it”. That was ‘cause I still, that was my trip, my road trip.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">So don’t you think, I mean, that stuff has to be there if the poem’s going to be authentic. If it’s going to be real you can’t deny, you can’t lie. If you lie to the poem then you lie to yourself, to the people reading it, you know?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Mmm, right. Well, the challenge to me is, and I’ve done this, quite often and I know I can do it, is to step outside myself and write about the political people, or God, not in reference to me but still its in reference to me because that’s how I perceive them. And, uh...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read an article this morning that calls what you’re talking about, well, your poems are narrative, they’re...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>They’re stories, right. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the things you do in a lot of them, not all of them, of course, not every single one is a perfect piece of art...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>No, absolutely not...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but you’re able to maintain a kind of intimate distance, you know, where the poet and the voice in the poem are the same thing, but one isn’t speaking for the other.You’re close enough to put the facts in place, but far enough away for an emotional base for a reader to settle into. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well, some of my favortie poems that I’ve written, that I think are good, are my Haiku.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, your Haiku are lovley. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, those are the few poems I’ve been at least satisfied with. Because, ah, because like this one (Ray recites from memory)</i></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There goes that old frog, </span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>every time I forget about him</i></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">he sings to his love</span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...you know, broken hearts, mating time. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Broken hearts, that’s the other thing about your poems you talk about...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Love?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...being a sexual…creature, writing sex poems, and being vulgar sometimes, and you can be that, too...</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But see, like the women, when I read that '</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">poem for those who know me'</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, about having oral sex with the deaf mute with the rubber arm, they all went “Eeew!”, but I thought it was beautiful ‘cause I did do it, and she loved it...</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">poem for those who know me</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(pussi #5)</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the deaf virginal mute </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with rubber left arm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...yes I did!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& stroked the rubber arm sensuously</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as she groaned in deaf mute moan.</span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">RAY:...that was her first orgasm.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess if you do that too much it becomes a joke. Like, there’s something about Bukowski for me, where you have to read a whole book of poems to find a couple that make you...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Stand up and listen?</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but for the most part, it’s like you reached a point where you wanted to entertain people with dirty poems and it sort of made a fake persona. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, yeah, I...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They just filled in the blanks...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...well they liked it because I made them laugh. And that’s what I like, I like making people laugh. Now, if I really, if you would say to me “Ray, what is it you would really like to be in your life?”, and I was thinking about it when I was younger and I just didn’t do it, a ventriloquist, with a dummy. He would have done the poetry!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(laughing) Yeah, yeah!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, that’s what I wanted to do more than anything else. ‘Cause I used to do it with a sock when I was a kid.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A ventriloquist, huh?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Mmmhmm, that’s what I really wanted to be in life. So poetry is like a form of ventriloquism! (Ray’s laughing. He laughs throughout this interview, mostly at himself.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poetry is a form of ventriloquism, but your past is speaking through you right now. You’re on a little stool and your past has its hand the back of your head and it’s forming the words you’re saying.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, because I was in antiques I was going to become a, um, I had two lesbian auctioneers up in Michigan they said they would take me under their wings and school me in being an auctioneer. I said, well if I’m going to do that I want to be a ventriloquist, so I could put “Colonel Booboo” up here and say (he garbles some fake auctioneer fast-talk).</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can see it, Ray, I don’t know why you didn’t do that.I feel like, I’ve known you for fourteen years, I think. Close to it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well, it’s been that long since Sam ‘n Andy’s.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it’s probably the first time I’ve heard you say you want to be a ventriloquist. And we’ve talked for years and years, hours and hours, right? So I feel like that’s something, that surprising moment with you, that’s what your poems are like, too. Here’s this poem in this anthology, about being in the inner city on one side, and watching the wealthy pass by on the other, and you think it’s going to be about stratification, or something...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Social modes, and the cement...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...or about what the poor folks are doing tonight, but then Paul Desmond’s on the radio and you don’t know if Paul Desmond’s dead or alive and that’s what trips you up. It becomes, it’s not a social commentary at all, not really...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And the fish really weren’t biting either (chuckles)</i></span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">New Residence Inn</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">reflections around midnight</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shimmer silver moonspikes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>across this bay</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on the far side stands </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the new residence inn</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">american flagpole breezing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">over concrete bedrooms</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of sleeping social molds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and i<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>on this side</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fishing pole hopefully baited</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">groping for the last three beers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of two six packs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>as my confiscated radio</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(a grudging gift of a $17.00</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">attempted cab beat), </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>playing </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on its two-way four speaker system</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tampa’s all night jazz station.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>a lonely trumpet riffs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a smooth golden bass sax responds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>i hymn along</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& wait for my fish to bite</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>that special dream fish. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the song softens out...ends</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a universal radio voice announces:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“chet baker on trumpet, paul desmond</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on sax<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>playing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘journey to alturaus’</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the last recording desmond ever made.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what?...desmond?...last recording?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">desmond dead...?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or had he just stopped playing?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>GOOD GOD!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">…the fish weren’t biting either!</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">MIKE:...and that’s what everything, all your poems, all your stories, all, your whole life, is like this, might look like being distracted to someone else, but it’s really like moving on to the next thing before you make the expected move, do the expected thing. It’s what the poems are like. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well I, I’m pretty sure I was ADD when I was little. Probably still am, but ah, I can handle it now, ‘cause I look at it and well, let’s use it, and I let it use me. And I have this theory, of course, that my brain pathways got fucked-up when I drowned, because none of my sisters have that problem. That could’ve had an effect. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And Now</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and now it’s this miserable barrier</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">because I’ve lived outside of my inside</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">trying to run</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from this influence of darkness</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this misery</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">where did the Gods or Goddesses go?<br class="kix-line-break" />I bet they left at 5 yrs old</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I drowned myself</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sioto River fell in</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dead they said</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but I arose from a coma</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in 3 days resurrection</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">back from the dead</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">never the same</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but a new awareness of dark</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that nightness</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all life searching</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">high on beer, yoga</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">poetry</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">prayer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pussy & drugs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">where is that blissful light?<br class="kix-line-break" />unstable searches</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">arch my back bent</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">now my time has come</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to accept </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">some sort of God</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just to play the odds & </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">get my soul’s bet on the line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">RAY: </span><i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, ah, you know, what really pains me now is, though, my belief in my form of God, the spiritual, the White Light, and the, um, all the spirit guides I had and this business, I thought, well that’s the same god-damned thing as the Catholic religion, I’m forming all this structure, believing in something I don’t believe in. And that threw me for a loop because I enjoyed talking to my wolf and bear, and Alfred, (Ray’s ‘spirit guides’) but it was just, it’s no different from that preacher that said God had taken him to Heaven three times. And I thought, the hard thing was I questioned myself, did I slow my heart down so low that I got a big shot of adrenaline and that’s the reason I felt so good and saw this White Light? I wanted to ask Satch (a guru Ray befriended) that but I never got to ask him. </i><i style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But yet the structure of going there, going through the White Light, the structure itself and it took me months to get there, your heart beat is like before the White Light starts coming, ONE...TWO...THREE...(Ray counts out slowly, snapping on the beat), yeah, and you just, you can’t even tell if the Universe is out here or if your whole body </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Universe. And I enjoyed that sensation, ‘cause it made me realize how brief life really is...</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I imagine it would do that. </span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...yeah, and, ah, what was it, that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Royal Yoga</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, if you ever get a chance to find that book, it was written a couple thousand years ago. Very, very simple, 38 pps. I gave away my copy and I couldn't find anymore. When I went to D.C. I went to the Library of Congress and I got a copy there and I copied it on the copy machine. (Laughter) Because like I say, every line in the book is worth meditative reflection for </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">weeks</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Like I told you before, the very first line: “Attachment is the cause of all suffering.” And that’s true. I took weeks thinking about that.</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel like I want to keep bringing you back to the poetry...but I feel like...</span></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is my poetry. My</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> life</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a poem.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was going to say, that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your poetry. Your poems are about...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Spiritual...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...holding on too tight and letting go, over and over and over again, your own, you doing it, other people doing it, politicians, religious leaders doing it. That meditation is ongoing for you, I think..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Oh yeah, I still do...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...attachment is...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...the cause of all suffering.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would also say that your life at this age is reflective of that, too. How many things have you given to me that you don’t want anymore? That you need to unclutter your space. You’re always giving it away, giving it away. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>That’s when I have, I have a big poetry reading I’m going to, and I’m going to bring a whole bunch of the books with me and put ‘em out and let people take whatever they want. </i></span><i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was it I was reading, was it in the, uh, </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>The Laughing Jesus</u></span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, can’t remember but anyway...come on, Patrick...the Virgin Birth, and on the cross, dead and rising again in three days, happened in four other religions before Christianity, the same thing. Now, here’s what I like...</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All in the same neighborhood.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...yeah, and here’s what I like, a monk, or priest, actually, in about 700 a.d. wrote that the devil created these four other religions so you wouldn’t believe in Jesus. I mean, these guys...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I met a guy on the train when I went out West, to Lake Tahoe, he believed that God planted the fossils so we wouldn’t...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well, yeah...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...to trick us.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>They have to have an excuse for that, I mean an explanation.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RAY: </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>When I asked you to take over [The Sam ‘n Andy’s open mic night] you said “You think I can do it?” and I said “I know you can.”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t seem to make anything work these days. (Laughter)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well, one, I knew you were an exceptional poet, and a good teacher, and I also knew that a lot of girls were following you, so that was a win-win situation! (Laughter from Ray)</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe I can’t pull off a poetry reading anymore because I don’t have girls following me around these days.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>That might be it!</i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe that’s what it is. I don’t know. I really would love to find a place to start another open mic. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, yeah, I would like an...it’s like that one poem I like, “...never doubt love for one second, even if it only lasts for one.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s right, that’s right. Because, hold on, even after Sam ‘n Andy’s shut down, Brewed Awakenings hosted an open mic for a long time. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Brewed Awakenings?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When John [Swaile] hosted Brewed...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Oh, yeah, that lasted for a long time...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then Caroline [Gauger] and Nicki [Norman] had something going at the Collingwood...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Oh, that lasted for years</i></span><span style="line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>…</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...but they let it get out of hand...(laughter from both of us)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...they didn’t, they were entertaining, standing on their heads, you know? That had its own form. And they had some good poets come through there. And I used to enjoy enjoy the structure in a way that it was like a bunch of mad people coming together, which we were.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was crazy. It must have been like 'Any Wednesday' in a way. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>'Any Wednesday' was quite different...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, how so?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...in my basement, I had a couch down there and everybody could go down and smoke joints. Except there was a couple things that pissed me off I found out later. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Editor’s note:</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> At several points throughout this interview Ray and I digressed into conversation not at all related to the questions I was asking him. At this point in our conversation we started talking about our children, and though it was a lovely chat and I can’t wait to share it with my son someday, it went wild for a spell and touched on some deeply personal things that I’m not at liberty to recount in the body of this interview, which is why we’ll go from discussing 'Any Wednesday' with no conclusion to this next topic of discussion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">MIKE: Everything’s a hustle, isn’t it?</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is a hustle, even, even </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">goodness. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my favorite poem, a Haiku</span><span style="line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">…</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Ray recites from memory)</span></span></span></i></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sad Mozart music </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">drifts among full moon nightshade. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two alley dogs howl.</span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">RAY: I can just see it, I can see that picture right in my head. “Full moon nightshade”, nightshade is, of course, poison. A full moon, look at all the stories about a full moon. And two alley dogs, no home, sadness, that one poem does a whole lot of shit to my head.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that’s one you wrote?</span><i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh, yeah. Um , and of course it has the time of the season, which is the challenge</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s right, that’s the hard challenge of Haiku, is to get those seasonal cues in there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">To me, that’s not hard. ‘Cause, you know, what are you doing, really? Like, like</span><span style="line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">…</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Ray recites from memory)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Newborn copperhead, </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turn over this sun rock</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and there we both are.</span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...there’s the seasonal image in there, the newborn copperhead; it’s Spring. And the frog thing, mating season. Yeah, I love...</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mating season...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...in fact I have quite a few of those, I have one written by Japanese children, a book of Haiku.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, I bet that’s lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You can have that if you want. Just remind me. You could let your son have it and read it when he’s older. It was written by children. Very interesting. Of course there’s different forms of Haiku, but I still like the traditional, the three lines, 5, 7, 5 syllable breakdown. Then I have another of the top Japanese Haiku masters...</i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have one of those, too. I got really into Haiku because of Swaile. John loved writing Haiku, he excelled. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He was, um, that one structure that he liked, I’ll think of it in a minute. It was a challenging form. I looked it up to write it but I don’t think I have the patience for it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John liked formal poems, he liked writing formal poetry. He was good with forms the way you’re good at story telling. </span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know what he said to me one time, he says, “Ray, when he meets a young girl, he looks at her hand and says something, and reaches back here on her shoulder and presses down on it, and after that she sticks to him like glue”. (Laughing) The trick to that it, you don’t talk about </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yourself</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, you talk about </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">them</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, your dad was a barber?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Ah, well, they owned a farm.</i></span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The whole family did?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Patricks, my great-great grandfather was a doctor, and he owned thousands of acres in Kentucky and he sold it, but he kept the mineral rights. And if I hadn’t been so lazy in my life, about forty, fifty years they’ve been pumping oil off there, and none of our family’s getting any of it. My daughter says, “Well you gotta get that I want to be rich!” I tell her, “You go fight it.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fred [my employer] asked me about you the other day when you were visiting. He said, he wanted to know if you were a poet, too, and if you were any good. So I said yeah, you wrote, and yeah, you’re pretty good, one of the best guys in town. I said yeah, Ray’s one of those guys who can do anything he wants and doesn’t want to do anything at all. </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Ray laughs) </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s kind of true.</span></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I get bored quick.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You fall into stuff, fall out of stuff, leave stuff behind you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, I always wondered...once I figured something out it’d become boring. I figured it out up here (points to his head). The only one that hasn’t become boring with me is that God shit. I saw a bumper sticker, it said, ah, let’s see...”God doesn’t believe in YOU, atheists”. (Laughter) But you know, when I look at these people, they’re all walking around in these elaborate clothes, and jewelry, and gold, gold, gold, waving it in the air. Now I told you that story about where they scared the, my Baptist relatives scared the shit out of me, literally. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe you did.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well, you would have remembered it.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know if I do. I remember a story about you cursing God out, going up on the mountain and cursing God out.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, that was it. ‘Course, my dad was getting his mail and shut his thumb in the box, and said “God damn it!” I didn’t know what it meant. I thought it was neat. That’s what I said in front of my relatives and they snatched my ass up and shook me and said, “Ray Gene you’re going to Hell and burn at the stake for eternity!” Didn’t know what eternity was, but I knew what burning was! Shook me again, shook the shit out of me literally. I shit my pants. “And if you even </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">think</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it then you’ll burn at the stake forever!” Now, I knew what an eternity was. So I was walking around the next couple weeks having a nervous breakdown, “Don’t think it, don’t think it!” That’s when I got pissed at God and everybody.</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember this story, I remember how they told you you’d burn in Hell forever...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What a threat for a five year old.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s a terrible thing to do to somebody.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, they’re still doing it! The thing is, each religion has its own imprint that they believe the other’s is wrong. Now, that’s where they make their huge mistake. I know that Satch, when I went to see him there in Yogaville, and I love that building about four-stories high in the shape of a lotus blossom. And the whole first floor was the lobby, and the second floor just went up. In the center they had this big, oh about 8 feet in diameter, looked like clear plastic tube, went all the way to the roof, to the center of the lotus, and going up through it were little gold lights, and then the lights went down the lotus and landed on little podiums that had different religions on them, all the world’s religions. He was making a statement, see? God created </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the religions</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talk about that a lot. I don’t think God discriminates; God isn’t a bigot, right? Aren’t those things we came up with on our own? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>God doesn’t discriminate. No, He doesn’t. If there is a God, and I personally don’t believe in any form Man created...it’s said, like, "God created Man in his own image, and Man returned the favor and did the same." (Laughter)</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MIKE So, I want to ask you some questions I’ve been thinking about. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Go ahead.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, your family’s full of story tellers, and snake charmers, and all that crazy stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah, a lot of alcoholics and ministers...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I mean...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>...I’m related to Jesse James...</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...it’s inevitable that one of you guys is going to write poems. I mean, isn’t it?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I think I’m the only one.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How old were you when you wrote one, or read one, or someone gave one to you? Was it [poetry] a</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">part of your life?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Well the first two I vividly remember was I think I was in the seventh grade.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> (Recites from memory)</i></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Took off my dress </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my panties I let fall, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stood there like Venus, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the fairest of all. </span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(Ray recites two other poems, dirty jingles like this one, which did not record clearly)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where did you learn these?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I found it in my buddy’s parent’s dresser drawer, we had a party over there and we were going through them. We found two of them, these books with dirty rhymes and things. Another thing, there was a song. I forgot it now. But that rhythm, I started writing poems in the eighth grade. That’s when I got in trouble for one I wrote that they didn’t understand. ‘Cause I wrote “...and he spanked me till I had to, we?” That was a line in it. My teacher’s face got red, the whole class laughed and I got </i></span><i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">paddled. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paddled for writing poems. (Laughter)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Mmmhmm. What pissed me off is my parents were never behind anything I did, they never, if I showed them something it didn’t mean anything. I just disengaged. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So they weren’t giving you poems, things to read?</span><br />
<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No. I was a reader in grade school, in fact I got in trouble reading. Between the sixth and eighth grade I read every fairy tale book the library had downtown. And I read things like </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gunga Din</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brideshead Revisited</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>, which I loved. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That must be a keystone thing for people who end up writing poems; I remember doing that too, finding fairy tales at the library. The big Time-Life books that had all the fairy tales of the world, and sometimes they’d show you the fairy tales that were similar, like all the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sleeping Beauty</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> type stories from all over. I just loved those, and read them and read them. </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read one when I was in the Marshall Islands, when I was in the H-Bomb test. And one of the guys aboard there, an older guy, collected fairy tale stories, and we were there for like six, seven months, didn’t have anything to do, he loaned his books to me. He had one called </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never really get too blown away with stories unless I’m personally involved, most of the time I just, mentally I see it, I appreciate it. But this one shook me up so bad my sense of reality mixed up. And it had to do with, like, here’s God, but over here is a parallel universe run by She.</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And you were in the Navy? Illegally, right?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>No, the day I turned seventeen I had my mom sign me up.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, because I always had it in my head...</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, I couldn’t go to school ‘cause my dad went crazy, mentally unwell. I couldn’t figure out why he went crazy. Of course, he was an alcoholic, but, I think what happened is my dad had a little, a small barber shop and he loved it. Right across from his chair, on the wall, don’t know where the fuck he got it but it was a pair of Texas longhorns, like seven feet wide. But my mother, she never went to the eighth grade, but she put herself through beauty college, and she’d even spell words at night, in her sleep, she was so determined. But what she did is, here’s my dad’s barber shop, and she put a partition here and put her beauty shop right there so she could hear every word he said and comment on it. And all the sudden it changed his whole life, and I think he went crazy on that, I think that’s why he had his nervous breakdown. She controlled the whole thing. </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I come in one time, and my mom she was working on a woman’s hair and she says, “Ray Gene, what’d I find in your pocket?”, and I said, “What?” I’m trying to remember, see? And the ladies they all start laughing, then I remember I had a pack of rubbers in there and it was like, seventh grade, she caught me red-handed! Got my ass out of there quick! (Laughter)</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reading and sex, getting you in trouble. Sex and poetry, getting Ray in trouble. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Actually the first time I got laid, for a second I thought, is this all? What’s everybody raising so much </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>hell about? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sixth grade sex</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">in the sixth grade </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we tried to fuck </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">our communal dog once</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but she growled</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& bit Ralph</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I let Ralph go first</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">because I was a recent </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fallen Church of God member</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& still had hard</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">burn you at the stake fears)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but it was destiny</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">trying to pump Smoky</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we were influenced </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘cause we had just watched </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a beautiful girl screw</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a German Shepherd</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as we hid in secret excitement</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thick Ohio River bulrushes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...Ralph wasn’t really beautiful </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& maybe that’s why Smoky bit him. </span></div>
<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It didn’t feel all that good, I didn’t think. Well, I had a little pee-pee, maybe that, I don’t know, if I’d had a gargantuan one, maybe that would have been...</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who knows? (Laughter)</span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, what else did you want to know?</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t really want to know...okay, so I asked you when it was you read your first poem, and you said seventh grade, and it was like, dirty limericks. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>My mom went and threw all my poetry away...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So wait, you were, she threw away the poetry </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you wrote</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or the poems you had to read?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The poetry I wrote...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And you were writing? In seventh and eighth grade?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I don’t even remember them now, what they were about.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But you were writing that early? And what motivated you? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Women have always motivated me. Fishing. Or going up in the hills...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But did you just start writing and knew you had a poem, or did you read something that made you want...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I just, I just...to me it was poetry. I didn’t read about...structure or anything like that.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But did you read poems? In the library with the fairy tales were you reading...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Mostly fairy tales. I guess that’s why a lot of my poems are story poems. But when she did that I stayed away from poetry, and the weird thing was I stayed away from it for years, then we opened that Noble Thought coffee-house in the ‘60’s, we started on the stage reading the ‘60’s poets, you know, I got intrigued by a lot of them but I don’t even remember their names now. You’d know their names ‘cause they’re famous. “Last summer’s screen doors.” That’s a line I remember. ‘Cause I can’t remember. But I’d go there, I’d try to write, I’d try to get my writing back and the first poem I wrote I thought “This sucks!” and I threw it away.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You threw a lot of shit away, Ray.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yep. Well, I realized I was plagiarizing a little bit, I thought, “That’s not me.” And then, believe it or not, over here in, there was a professor at the University of Toledo, I forgot his name now; Peter Van Schaik (another Toledo poet, who’s been writing and reading in Toledo for years and years) took me to a poetry reading at his house; then they had another poetry reading over near the Anthony Wayne Trail. I brought three poems. I read them and that was my jump start. And I read a lot of the ‘60’s poets and I was laughing about </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>On the Road</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">because the similarities between what he wrote about and whatever, well, it was I what I did! Gettin’ stoned and driving all over the United States and Mexico, all of the time...well, I wouldn’t go to Mexico </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></i><i style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember that one time I was going through the mountains I saw there was a party going on. I knew a little about customs and I stopped, a guy comes walking up and I asked if he knew English. He did so I said, “What’s going on?” He says oh, there’s a wedding in the village. So I asked if I could go congratulate his grandmother. He said yes, so I walked up to the matriarch sitting in that big chair, gave her congratulations, and of course she invited us to the wedding and we had a good time! (Laughter) </i><span style="color: black; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I just wish I had the wherewithal to finish the stories in my head, from my life.</i></span><span style="color: black; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So how do you think all this life you’ve had, all these adventures, wild times...</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think, I wish I would have picked something and completed it. The only thing I come close to completing, the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thing I completed, was meditation. I went through the White Light. I consider that a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">completed effort</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s like, four volumes of poetry you’ve written and collected. Are saying you haven’t written </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> poem yet? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What’s that?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You haven’t written the poem that makes you feel like you’ve completed poetry, that you’ve done something? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>No. Ah, I’m extremely sensitive, and it’s hard for me to take praise. Just like when you told me that guy asked if I was a poet and you said one of the best in town. I thought well I’ve never heard that, and in fact I think, I was thinking I wrote too many sexual poems, but I did that just to amuse people. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think that indidcates your skill, though. You didn’t just write sex poems, you didn’t just say dirty words in a sequence of line breaks, you still made a poem, you still made an artifact.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>There were meanings underneath all that.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exactly. You didn’t just get up there and report on a conquest or adventure. You still made a poem. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And then I was always, I hate to say this, but some of the poetry that is written by super educated people I find very boring. It’s the structure. It’s easy to read and I can see what they’re talking about. I would never enter any of my poems in their school things, the journals or what have you, even though I read, one time I was asked to read at the University of Florida. I read there, which was 150 miles from Tampa, where I was living and writing at the time. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s a hell of an invitation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeah. Uh-huh. In Tampa I had a real good thing going. I knew a girl there, Holly Day. Her parents were hippies and she was in a skateboard gang. She got a scholarship in Tampa, which was an expensive school...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what makes you feel...one of the poems I love the most, I think it’s called </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chasing the Ting</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. What is it about the poems, where you haven’t...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>There’s a couple that I like...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you haven’t reached the Ting yet. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Chasing the Ting</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">only 5 & ½ yrs old</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">first birthday party</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at her house</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nine of us</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">short pants & skirts</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white cotton panty peeks</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as we sat in a circle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a Homers mike bottle </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">our mothers giggling</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as they said “spin the bottle”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the dimpled blond birthday girl</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">w/ flashing blue laughing eyes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“u have to kiss whoever it points to”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more mother giggles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i was puzzled sweat/kiss how?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mother cheek-type kiss was all i knew</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her perfect little hand </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">came down on the bottle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& with a low laugh </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spun this karmic string</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i watched hypnotically at the spins</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1, 2, 3, 4, 5 times around to slow stop</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it was pointed at me!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i sat transfixed & stupid</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what seemed slow motion</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she came laughing eyes </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on hands & knees </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">across the circle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stopped in front of me</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nose to nose</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i could smell her</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">warm sweet candy breath</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i was still in stupid mode</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">breathing gulp hard</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her cherry full lips came tro mine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">landed gently wet & warm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on transfixed recieving lips</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a hot feel good rushed through </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my body my eyes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">me heart my soul/</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a heat started at the base of my spine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ran forward to privatre parts</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">warm/hot/feel good</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">first lip kiss tingle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">didn’t know that I would chase</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that warm temptress tingle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for the rest of my days</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my lower lip trembled</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as she pulled back</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">looking into my eyes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with laughter/joy & defiance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve loved all of her since</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">looked for her in a thousand eyes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10, 000 kisses and a hundred lovers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">always chasing </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that first wet warm/hot tingle</span></div>
<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...like, the Ting poem I like. And that </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cafe Mocha and Coffee House Muse</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I wrote that right in here, in this coffee shop. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the poem in this anthology (where the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Residence Inn</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was printed), all of your poems from the Tampa days remind me of the best of Bob Philips’s poems, or the best of Bukowski, where you’re some place identifiable and there’s a mysterious relationship...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>There’s religion, there’s spirituality in them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s present, it’s a way of arranging the words.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s my life. I said that already, man, my </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a poem. I’m still chasing the Ting. I’ll do that ‘til I die, I guess. </span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stretching Haiku</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">pumpkin apples fell</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">woodsmoke & applebutter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">memories of her</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">her chair stands empty</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hoofprints crush the pumpkin frost</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">death rides a dark horse</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">when I’m afraid</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reach for Gods</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I’m lonely </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reach for love</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I’m content</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stop reaching</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">in each year’s approach</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the twilight becomes </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more important</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have travelled many roads</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my body has aged in teh wind</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but my mind still stands</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">overlooking that warm day</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I was five</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven’t lost a new love</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nor is my dream yet dead</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">still loneliness creeps</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like snails through my head</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">love slinked in onesided</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cloaked in a theif’s coat</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">then left again</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wrapped in your illusion’s face</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I never knew</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the last time we made love </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that it was </span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been paying costly rent </span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on this borrowed body</span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cafe Mocha & Coffee House Muse</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the incessant chattering </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of a Sunday High Collar Priest</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rings harsh on my mocha coffee ear</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">his church has let/mine starts this page</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a head heads inside, search of self</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">looks for completion/images shift</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guided thought muse</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I call poetry, today a poet?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who am I these words make</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on off-white bond twenty weight?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ink marks sad down</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like melancholy walks it is lonely today/</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I look up and behind coffee priest</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eyes stalk a ripened beauty</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to know her</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she slips down to poem page</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my line loses her form an exit door closes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">love lost again perhaps/</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been wearing</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">poets cloth a long entangled time</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">demanding muse mistress</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">veiled within this cryptic soul/</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">existence & measure</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">slide into eternity/</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life so ephemeral</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">understanding so transitory</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">years have passed quicker </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">than these seized errant minutes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my poem consumes me</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holds down hard</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">explains not this earth-breath-spirit</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life behind now</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">longer than life in front</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(tears well as tears will)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel need of new spring</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to lean against ancient oak</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cheek pressed prayer</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on aromatic healing bark</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to merge! to merge!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with birdsong, beesong</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& new blossom spell</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shall wear tattered pale green polo</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">soft white cotton drawstring pants</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with allegory holes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shall curl my naked toes deep down</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into the moist ground</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in blissful caress below</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rapture! oh, rapture!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I segment/ I pause/ I surrender</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I become a poem/ this poem</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; text-indent: 48px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-15341753950423679312013-11-18T20:37:00.000-08:002013-12-09T23:03:45.623-08:005 Questions with Bill Roman<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bill Roman was one of the regular wanderers-through at the Borders where I worked in Toledo. One night I was shelving books in the Religion section and Bill struck up a conversation with me. At the time, he was a pastor at a nearby Lutheran church, and I was a lapsed Lutheran, claiming atheism but not fully committed to a single position. We talked about why young people leave churches, lose faith, what makes them come back, that sort of thing, and now, several years later, we still talk and even have coffee with each other sometimes. Now he's a Counselor, and pastor at Nova Faith Community.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you remember the first poem you read?</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-597b181a-6e6d-c4a9-3964-44368ccc5608" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really don't recall the earliest poem I read but one that would come close is Dr. Seuss's "Marco Comes Late." I read that in the fourth grade.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a favorite poet? Someone who's work you turn to often?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favorite poet is Vachel Lindsay, author of such wonder-filled verses as "Eagle That is Forgotten", "The Leaden Eyed", "The Congo", "Bryan, Bryan,Bryan", "General William Booth Enters Heaven", and my all time winning favorite: "The Broncho That Would not be Broken.” </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you remember the first poem that really got under your skin? Why is that poem important, or special to you?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first poem that really got under my skin, as in irritated me, was Robert Frost’s "Fire and Ice." In seventh grade I was sent to detention by Mrs. Bennington who was the English teacher. Her version of ripping out fingernails was to have each of us analyze a poem....to her satisfaction. “Fire and Ice” was mine and it was torture. Anyway, the upshot is that I figured it out and I have enjoyed Frost ever since. My favorite of his is "Nothing Gold can Stay". </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is poetry a part of your daily life?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poetry is very much part of my day. I've read several anthologies over the years, enjoy American poets, particularly the romantics and some modernists. I have the best of memories of my high school English teacher during my junior year, Wade Lessig, who was an athlete, military vet, and literature major. He opened my imagination and thirst for learning as no other teacher ever has. I'm still reading Moby Dick thanks to him.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-3168207660694577782013-09-09T21:47:00.000-07:002013-09-09T21:47:49.414-07:00You Can't Let Things Slip Away From You: The Kerry Trautman interview<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i>Kerry Trautman was one of the first poets I met when I started making my way into Toledo's poetry community. She is a founding member of the Almeda Street Poetry Co-op, which was a small, intimate workshop hosted at our friend Lori's house. We'd bring our own drinks, and sometimes there was food, and there were always wonderful discussions and workshops. I liked Kerry's poems immediately, but I was nervous around her in the way young men are nervous around women who are both smart and beautiful, who have poise. As for me, I was unschooled, learning poetry by reading anthologies and writing all day, whereas Kerry and the rest of the group were mostly students, or former students, of writing, and had a certain conviction and confidence it took me a long time to develop.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i>A certain conviction is still a hallmark of a Kerry Trautman poem. Her words are carefully placed in well-wrought, deliberate poems, which nonetheless possess an air of ease, space, and delight. I'm often left shell-shocked after a reading of her poems, either with a sheaf of them in my hand, or at an open mic where she's performed, thanks to a combination of efficiency and passion which does exactly what Emily Dickinson tells us a real poem must do: blows the top of your head off. A good poem runs through you like lightning, burnishing your insides and scorching to dust the mean things in your soul. Kerry's poems do this by elevating 'things': daily bread, frisbees, bananas, winter's salted streets, out of the profane and into the sacred. Daily life, with its routines, hard and tender moments, sex, food, and the turning of the seasons, is in the architecture of her best poems. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i>Please enjoy this interview, and the poems that follow. </i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Are you from
Toledo? Where did you go to school? </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I was born in Lima, OH, and my family moved to Toledo when I was
nine. I earned my BA from The University of Toledo in Interdisciplinary
Humanities in 1998. My husband works in Findlay, and after four years of
making him commute I finally gave in and moved away from Toledo in late 2002.
Despite the fact that my children will only ever remember our home here in
Findlay, I still think of Toledo as my hometown, and I miss it the way one
might miss a dear cousin with whom they’ve lost touch.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When did you
start writing poems?</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When I was eight, in the third grade, a poet named Devon McNamara
came to visit our school for several weeks or months (I don’t quite recall).
She developed different poetry lessons with each class, and at the end of
the project we all brought home this fat, spiral-bound book on colored pages
with all of the students’ poems printed inside. I still have my copy.
I was hooked from the moment she picked-up her first piece of chalk,
fascinated that the words that appeared in all of the books I loved on my
shelves at home, that those words were made by actual people, by pretty ladies
like the one here in my very own classroom, that those words began with a human
hand on a pencil. And that hand could be mine. Most of her lessons
with my class were based on little writing prompts—one was a list poem based on
“Hello, Goodbye.” Like “Hello flowers./Good-bye snowballs. Hello
stars./Good-bye sunshine.” Things like that. And what’s funny is I distinctly
remember seeing through those prompts, recognizing the gimmick, feeling
constrained. Even though I had no idea what else poetry could be, I just
knew there was in fact more. I sensed that those tricks and teases were
only a shaft of light peeking through a door just waiting to be flung fully
open. Years later, I was discussing this story with Roger Ray, my advisor
in the UT Honors Department, and he smiled and said he was well aware of that
program, that it was funded by the Ohio Arts Council, that Devon McNamara was
an old family friend of his, and that she would love to hear how she’d
influenced me. Somehow that sort of legitimized my old childhood
feelings. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I was talking
to Jonie McIntire (another local poet, and a friend of mine and Kerry’s) about
your poems recently. She mentioned that you started college as a fiction writer
but eventually found yourself making poems instead. Is that true?</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I
started college undeclared. I seriously considered majoring in fine arts,
having loved art classes in high school and taken as many as were offered.
UT’s Center for Visual Arts adjacent to the Toledo Museum of Art was
newly constructed at the time, and it was a lovely, exciting place to work.
I took a few drawing and design classes, which I thoroughly enjoyed and
miss now, but I wasn’t really talented enough to validate continuing through a
BFA, I don’t think. In high school I had thought about majoring in
interior design, but I didn’t realize until I enrolled that UT didn’t actually
offer it as a major. Though I had, of course, always loved writing, I
hadn’t considered it as a major, because I hadn’t really considered whether or
not I was any good at it. When I took my first creative writing workshop,
sophomore year, with an adjunct professor named John Metz, it became clear to
me that I did in fact have some degree of talent. He was very
encouraging, and I began to take my writing more seriously, from a craft
standpoint, began to admit it was more than a hobby—it was my first love. It
was like Harry & Sally realizing they were more than just friends all
along. From there I took a fiction workshop with Jane Bradley and poetry
workshops with Joel Lipman and Tim Geiger, and I never could choose which genre
to focus on. I remember Joel telling me, basically, “I know you write
fiction too, but really you’re a poet.” And Jane telling me something
like, “I know you like to write poetry, but I think you’re a storyteller at
heart.” I still do both to a degree. The stories come every few
years or so, and I recently completed a first draft of a novel. But
poetry is more where I dwell on a day-to-day basis, it’s how my mind translates
my world. I’m sure if I had endless hours of free time I would
write more fiction, but poetry is better suited to being created in the small
increments I can manage.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Your poems feel
so well made, very controlled, very precise, very focused. They are also
arousing, full of sensual pleasure and palpable domestic tension. I wonder how
many drafts each poem goes through? How much revising do you do? Are you the
kind of writer who doesn't do much editing? </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I
edit a lot, really. I try to let myself get the first draft out
unrestrained, in one gulp. Then I go back through it for a half-hour
maybe, depending on the circumstances. But I tinker for days, weeks after
that. I still happen across older poems and can’t stop puttering,
changing up line breaks, or compressing shorter poems into prose-poem format,
just to see how it affects it, how it looks, how it feels in my mouth as I
read. Once a piece is published I leave it alone, but until then every
comma or stanza break is fair game. It’s like licking my thumb to rub
away a toothpaste smudge on my son’s cheek as he runs out for the bus. I
don’t think it’s so much that I’m after some sort of perfection, or that I’m
never satisfied, rather it’s that I’m curious about the possibilities for each
poem. I wouldn’t want to regret having decided a poem’s fate too hastily,
before giving it a change to explore itself.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What do you look
for in a poem? I mean, the poems that move you, or really speak to you, what's
going on there? </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I assume you mean in other people’s work? I like to be
surprised—to be lead into an experience or idea then suddenly tossed in a new
direction that makes me gasp. A good final line gets me every time.
I am drawn to conversational, plain language. It feels the most
sincere to me, the most honest. There’s bravery in simplicity. In general
I’m turned-off by poems that preach from a blatantly political or religious
standpoint, or those that try to rely on obtuse, grandiose language for the
sake of itself—those lines where I think, “Ok, that sounds fancy, but what the
hell does it mean?” I want to read or hear about living, breathing,
farting, crying, swallowing human beings and the lens through which they view
the world and their lives. A good poem makes me feel like the writer had
her hand on my upper arm as she composed it right on the skin of my face.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm glad you mentioned Joel Lipman. He's been a mentor to so
many of Toledo's poets and certainly an artistic influence on many of us as
well. I want to bring him up again because several years ago he warned me
against writing poems about 'family'. He said they were hard to do and I
gathered from our conversation that the challenge is to create poems that are
not too sentimental, so personal that a reader can't approach them, or so
revealing that you harm loved ones in the making of them. And when I write
poems about my family I find that Joel was right to caution me. You write poems
about your family, too. And I'm wondering if you find the family as subject
matter challenging? If no, why? And if so, why not? Do you have rules about
what's fair game? In general do you think there are off limits subject in poetry
that deals with family/loved ones?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
do not write too, too much about my family specifically. More often
some bit of an experience or emotion inspired by a family member might inspire
me to begin a poem that, either purposefully or organically, launches off on a
different trajectory altogether. Writing poems that appear to be very personal
has the potential to become a part of the general problem of people assuming
all of a writer's work is autobiographical. For me, that just isn't
the case. I do have a separate group of poems called
"Approximate Biography" that I began many years ago and that I add to
as needed. Any poem I write that does recount a specific memory or
defining moment or whatever gets filed away in that group. Even so,
the title includes the word "Approximate," because I have to allow
for gaps in my memory, my own subjective twists in perception, my unwillingness
to divulge too much. Still, those are the poems that are the closest
to being "true." Those are the ones about which I have
felt some trepidation when they have been published. The ones that
could, I suppose, get me in some trouble. I do not think it's fair
to spill my family members' dirt nor sensationalize every experience that they
face. And I don't think that hinders my work in any real
way. Honestly it's more enjoyable for me to imagine--scenarios,
emotional turmoil, love, loss, whatever--rather than to simply recount some
"interesting" problem so-and-so might be having. When I
write about my children, it's not psychoanalysis, not expounding on their diary
entries, it's more like "so-and-so did such-and-such today and it made me
think of -and-that," if that makes any sense. The poems are rarely
"about" the children themselves in any distinctly revealing, personal
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Still, your children are in
your poems. I feel a sense of great concern and care when your kids show
up in them. Do your kids read your poems, or any poetry? Are they interested in
making their own poems?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
children do not read my poems. Nor do any of them write poetry,
though they do journal and enjoy reading and visual art. When I
write about my children I do keep in mind their potential feelings as they read
the poems in the future. The narcissist in me really uses them more
as an impetus for writing about myself, anyway. So any reservations
I have about "letting" them someday read my poems stems more from my
own vulnerability than from fear of them taking offense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I met you at a small workshop called The Almeda St. Poetry
Co-op. It was a loose confederacy of poets, of varying skill levels and
interests, who I think met on Tuesday nights to talk poetry, and
share work and offer critiques, to encourage each other to write, and sometimes
we drank and ate too much. How did you get connected with this group? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
first became aware of the Almeda St. group when I was in a poetry workshop at
UT with Joel Lipman. Adrian Lime was in the same class, and one day
he asked me, and Jonie McIntire, to come to an Almeda
gathering. Walking into that Almeda St. house, with those relative
strangers, was, first and foremost terrifying, as I am typically painfully shy
and reserved, but also it was exhilarating to be essentially walking into a new
identity. I remember feeling like I was stepping through the looking glass in a
way. It was the first group of writers that I had ever met, and the
first people to know me in the context of my being a writer. That
group, and the broader Toledo poetry "scene" that I became exposed to
absolutely shaped my writing life. Without them, I fear I would not
have maintained the confidence to continue writing, reading, and publishing
beyond college.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">You and I went to the same University, though not at the same
time, and took classes with several of the same professors. Do you think the
workshop setting was good for your writing? I recently read an editorial that
posited workshops are killing creativity in poets, but
I found my workshops at school and with our Almeda St. peers to be
very constructive. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
college writing workshops were wonderful. I know there has been
discussion, suspicion about how workshops operate and what kind of writer they
supposedly produce, but I doubt the workshop model will ever
disappear. After all, the "better" alternative would be, I
presume, one-on-one mentoring, which is not cost-effective for any student or
institution. From the first day of my first workshop I was able to
put my until-then solitary habit into perspective. I was able to
compare myself to others who did the same thing I did--compulsively scribbled
in notebooks, perhaps meekly showing a line or two to a friend who would
declare it "nice." I was able to--and I know this sounds
shitty--see that I was better than some people. I was able to
hear/read bad poems and then learn to articulate what it was that made then
bad, so that I could avoid those same pitfalls. And I could hear a
classmate read a lovely poem and tell her to her face precisely what I loved
about it. I suspect that if my education had been solely
lecture-based, if I had been presented only with the best published poems by
the best writers and had been told "write like this," I would have
felt instantly defeated. After college, I missed the
workshop setting and did have to adapt, re-learn to trust my own instincts without
regular feedback from peers. I was fortunate to have the Almeda St.
group and the other members of the Toledo poetry community to turn to for
advice when needed. You all sort of weaned me off of the workshops,
I suppose. The support of my fellow local writers continues to
inspire me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm curious about this because I wonder if you're a poet who is
still ‘inspired’ to write, or are you methodical about writing. Is there a muse
or do you do a daily exercise? And is there a difference between the two approaches?
Does a bolt of lightning strike from on high and fill you with verse, or you
know, do you write methodically, and precisely, out of long experience?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
am not a methodical writer. I make time for writing nearly every
morning, but if the Muse is evasive, so be it. I do keep writing
materials on hand always, and I often jot ideas, lines of poetry, notes for
things to work on later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you have any writing rituals or superstitions? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">No,
nothing like that, really.<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I'm wondering, are you always ready to write a poem? I mean,
is there always a poem on the verge? I was listening to an interview with one
of Ruth Stone's daughters the other day, and she described her mother as
someone who was always ready to write a poem, and I felt that described my
perception of you as a writer of poems, full of them, and always at the
ready. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
wouldn't say that I always feel full of poems just waiting to be written, but I
do always feel ready to write when I get the notion. I try
to live with heightened senses, remain perceptive, like a cat with his
ears and whiskers twitching, waiting for a signal. So when an idea occurs
to me, or I see something unusual or lovely, I'm sort of stretched and ready to
run. I always have a pen & paper nearby--you can't let things
slip away from you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">On a related note, do you ever feel like the poem you're
working on has to be written? As if you're being compelled by some
inner voice to make the poem, or that the poem demands your complete
focus? Or, on the other hand, are you confident enough that you don't feel
compelled or controlled at all? Maybe you know your craft so well, the way you
do it, that you don't feel that mad rush to finish, but glide into poems with
patience and confidence? I don't know, I've said it before you always seem so
poised and confident, I think that's why I'm asking you this question. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
often feel compelled to write a poem, as though it has to be written--not
because it's so profound and the world just <i>has</i> to experience it--but
more that I have to get it out of my head. Like an itch I gotta
scratch. So I'll jump into it, crafting somewhat as I go, but revising
after that initial draft sort of bursts forth. That said, they're
not always created that way. Sometimes I have a concept, or a beginning or
ending line or something that sort of comes to me <i>"boing,"</i> but
then piecing the rest together takes significant effort, revision,
crafting. Either way, I don't think of it as an issue of confidence,
really, but rather focusing and getting a feel for what the poem wants to
be--spotting shapes in the clouds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I asked you early on what you looked for in a poem. Your answer
covered what you respond to when it comes to other poems, but now I want to
know what do you expect from your own poems? What do you want to find when you
go back through a poem, after you know you've finished it? What happens in a
Kerry Trautman poem that makes her say, Ah, yes, this one has done it?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Kerry Trautman poem. That's a tough one. While I do recognize that I have
a characteristic style, not all of my poems are the same. Some are lighter in
tone, more whimsical, I guess, which usually means a quicker rhythm, or even
bits of meter here and there, some slant rhyme maybe, shorter lines. I
expect those to sort of dance themselves forward, in one whirl, so the reader
is met with the poem's full performance at once. Some poems, though, are
more somber, dreary probably, with longer lines, maybe more stanza breaks for
breaths, for swallowing. I expect these to take a little more time to get
where they're going, meandering a bit with moments, images, that build together
to create the whole impression felt by the end.
Either way, I like surprising little bits of language. I'd like for
readers to think, "I never could have said it that way." And I like
when the poem can turn, often right at the end, to become something different
that it seemed, from the, outset, that it was likely to become. If that
makes sense. As if a reader might start reading, thinking, "ah, I
see what she's going to say here," but then deflect off into another
direction--even if we're just talking at the sentence level, or an image or
metaphor that seems obvious but goes someplace else instead. I don't always get
there, but I love that, both in what I read and what I write. I'm pleased when I read an old piece I
haven't see in years and I realize that I've forgotten lines, find little
surprises in there, images I don't remember, so I can have an experience closer
to what my readers might feel, discovering it. If I find a poem like
that, and still find myself nodding, smiling, not grabbing for a pen to edit, I
consider that a success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was there poetry in your home when you were young? Was
literature a part of your childhood, your upbringing? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
wasn't poetry in the house, growing up. Lots of books--encyclopedias,
travel books from places my parents had been, political stuff, history, but not
poetry. My Dad was always reading, but Sci-fi novels or Scientific
magazines. My mom read the newspaper cover-to-cover, but that's it.
But in general there was this respect of language, this sense that how
you speak defines you. My mom would pull a sharpie out of her purse to
correct grammatical errors on signs at our small-town grocery store. My dad loved
puns, told these little stories that seemed normal, hooked you in, but then
turned out to be jokes. He would inject bits of German here & there,
and my mom Latin, just as little asides, footnotes. I think what I
absorbed was that there is power and fun in the control and manipulation of
language. That it was something to be mastered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">And lastly, why did you start writing in the first place? Why
did you start writing poems, and why do you keep doing it?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don't know if I ever would have started dong public readings, discussing my
poetry, basically come out as a writer, if it hadn't been for the group I fell
into at Sam & Andy's. Really credit goes to Adrian Lime, I guess.
He approached me after a poetry class that we shared with his now-wife,
Jonie McIntire, taught by Joel Lipman. Adrian asked if I'd be interested
in coming to a workshop/discussion group. That's how I met the Almeda St.
poets. And that's who lead me to Sam & Andy's readings and how I came
to meet all of the fantastic local poets who have been so encouraging,
supportive, inspiring over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
suspect that without that series of events I never would have been a public
poet. It would have been this thing that I did in journals that never saw
the light of day. Of course there was the encouragement of my instructors
at The University of Toledo as well. The first was John Metz, who taught
the first creative writing class I dared to take. Joel, Jane Bradley, Tim
Geiger--each time I enrolled in another writing class, I did so with hesitation.
It seemed...frivolous I suppose. As though, I better be good at it,
or else it was a waste of college credits, of money. And each time I
learned more about the craft and felt like I belonged, like these were my
people, the discussions in which I wanted to be engaged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
keep writing as a sort of a compulsion, I suppose. It's sort of how I see
the world and how I situate myself within it. Through words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
selection of Kerry’s poems: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be Fruitful<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The old woman
hired four apricot trees planted in the back yard, near the property line,
assured by the nursery manager they would, indeed, bear fruit, though not
before a decade’s-worth of soggy April breezes and lonesome bees had whizzed
through, uneventfully. She told herself
she did not mind, enjoyed their virginal blossoms nonetheless, pure white as
new bedsheets. Someday, someone would thank her. Someone with baskets full and apron pockets
laden with honeyed fruits soft as love and succulent as sex, someone would
bite, tilt their face to the blueness of the sunlit sky, gasping within their
gut, and bless her unknown name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because, Brian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I liked you at
first, because your dad fixed a flat on my mom’s Pontiac in his robe, and
because of your black jelly bean eyes and big-toothed laugh, and because you almost
almost rubbed my thigh. But I bought
off-the-shoulder homecoming velvet for someone else, because of your seaweed
smell, because of the taste of our one kiss—wet with salts of sweat and Fritos,
because it was October and you were nothing, because we were sixteen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two Small Town Girls<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">[First appeared in <i>Mock Turtle Zine, </i>2013]</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">They walked
along the storefronts—several boarded-shut, or emptied to dingy linoleum,
labeled “for sale,” since a two-years-ago flood. They peered in the antique
store and the bridal boutique with a single hopeful shopper fingering the
satins, and they wished to slip into those voluminous, shimmery gowns, or lie
on the lavender velvet sofa in the thrift store window, or lap the garlicky
sauce wafting its warmth from the door of the diner as a man shambled out,
full, unsmiling. They ticked their quick feet down the rigid sidewalk, a dry
unsettled wind whipping leafy debris against brick walls, sandstone,
cinderblock—the trash of the weeks twitching as it landed in cold corners, or
stuck between curbs and parked tires, or hurled upward toward the frayed canvas
awnings, toward upper apartment windows, toward the networks of suspended iron
stairs no one ever has used for escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sunday, Winter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Driving, the
city’s winter salt crunched <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">under my tires,
flung in steely storms <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">against my
underbody, my wheel-wells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The church bells
tolled their ten metallic echoes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">like tuning
forks teasing the shatter of icy branches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The last hunched
parishioners straggled in,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">clenching wool
coats against their bellies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">mouthing the
woe-filled organ chords, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">as those ahead
heaved open the oak doors, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and I, in my
crusted car, was overcome—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">pitying them in
the parking lot’s bitter wind, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and myself
shivering in the steady blow of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">electric heat,
wondering what those <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">stooped
followers know that I do not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Banana Aubade<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[First
appeared in <i>Alimentum,</i> 2007]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I awoke,
having slept on the couch, my cheek <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">no doubt
pocked with pillow texture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And before I
registered even the time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">as judged by
light’s blue between drape seams,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and before my
tongue had time to crave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">coffee’s acids
on its buds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I smelled the
bananas—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">exquisitely
ripe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My body
actually sought them out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">finding them
nestled in their blue glass bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Their daintily
freckled skins, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">like a child’s
summer cheeks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">blushed bronze
enough to enrichen the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">gaudy yellow
of rawness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">They’d roused
me with their <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">buttered
orchid scent, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">like sweet
liquor in the dark air,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">like a
sunrise, those sirens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">begging to be
split, whispering sweetly, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">their skin to
mine, “today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Language Acquisition<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the poet
reads <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I gasp at the
tickle of his words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">in my skin like
the unexpected bridge <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">of a song I need
to rewind, need to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">hear again and
now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His are words
whose meanings <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have known for
decades, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">or thought so,
until now, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">when he spoke
them, breathed them forth like <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">clouded vapor
exhaled into winter air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">that became
suddenly altostratus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A stormy dialect
I want to hear again <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and again until
I too can speak it <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">as if it were my
native tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is like my
baby aching with <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">her constant
wants but <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">lacking language
for them—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">wanting milk or
a taste of whatever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">her brother
spoonfuls to his mouth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">or wanting to
see the photo of her father <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">framed high on a
high shelf,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">or to feel the
satin ribbon edging of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">her blanket cool
between her fingertips,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">or to be lifted
to the open window<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">where the
grassed wind stirs the curtains,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">her eyelids
fluttering in breeze and bright,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">to feel my arms’
wrapness contain her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">within the
ever-widening world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Food for the Dead (for John Swaile)<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[First
appeared in<i> Broadway Bards First</i>,
2010]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dressing in
black for you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and for those
you’ve left—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">in no need of
color today—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I prepare to
cook some food you’ll never eat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">but just the
rest of us—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">the taste on
our tongues, you on our brains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wonder what
to feed <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">those left
behind a dead man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What flavors
should accompany<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">our recitation
of your poems,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">our
remembrance of your laugh, your sweat, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">your anxious
stroking of hair from your brow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">with voice
booming sweetly?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I remember the
last food you made for me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">a white brick
of cream cheese,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">softened a bit
from the warm car ride,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">plopped from
its silver wrapper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">to an oval
yellow platter, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">topped with a
jar’s-worth of jalapeno jelly—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">wet green as
any summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It isn’t
hot,” you assured me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">scraping a
glob with a butter knife <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">onto a golden
cracker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s sweet,”
you said, chewing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and your lips
wouldn’t lie, would they? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And someone
handed me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">a glass of
wine I hadn’t asked for,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and someone
else read a poem,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and you held
up a finger which meant, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“wait for me
to swallow; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have something
I must say.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And you
scooped me a cracker—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">glistening
green swirled with creamy white,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">like jewels in
snow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and I shoved
it, whole, into my mouth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and damn if it
wasn’t sweet after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-39021425258960034512013-08-26T22:28:00.000-07:002013-12-09T23:10:22.846-08:005 Books with the Museum DocentHi, it's me again. I've asked a few people to make a list of their top five favorite books for the blog. For a book lover, for the truest of true bibliophile, that's a terrible challenge. I know what I'm asking them to do is difficult, a task of metaphysical proportions, maybe it'd be easier to wrestle an angel. I know that. So I'm making my list as an act of contrition. I'm suffering first so I know the struggle first hand. Every time I sit down to make my list I think of a book, or the books, that led to my encounter with the one listed, and so I reconsider--does the book that led the way deserve a spot on the list instead? I don't know. I think of related books, books as a theme, books I've read more than once. Certainly, if I've read a book five times or more, as I have <i>Fahrenheit 451</i> and <i>The Great Gatsby</i>, then I should have a place on the list for that book, right?<br />
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<br />
So I'm wondering how to catalog these books, these thousands of books I've read and loved, except for maybe a few, like <i>The Da Vinci Code</i>, and <i>Tuesdays with Morrie</i>, how do I pick only five? It turns out I don't pick only five. I made FIVE LISTS of five. Not fair, I know. I made a list of favorite poetry collections, favorite novels, favorite fantasy novels, most influential books, and books I've read the most times. I could probably stick to themes and do five books by men, and five by women, five 19th Century titles, five international authors, my top five favorite Neil Gaiman novels...are there five? Let's see...<br />
<br />
1. <i>Coraline</i><br />
2. <i>Stardust</i><br />
3. <i>Good Omens</i>, co-written with Terry Pratchett<br />
4. <i>Neverwhere</i><br />
5. <i>American Gods</i><br />
<br />
Easy as pie. Or Annie Dillard, who I love:<br />
<br />
1. <i>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek</i><br />
2. <i>Holy the Firm</i><br />
3. <i>For the Time Being</i><br />
4. <i>An American Childhood</i><br />
5. <i>The Writing Life</i><br />
<br />
But I didn't do any of those things. Instead, I made a list of the books, culled from all the lists I made, that most influenced not only my writing, but my inner life, as well. The books I read more than once, yes, and the books that I think about when I'm sad and tired, in the midst of moral quandary, when I don't know the right things to say to my wife or daughter, and when I need strength to be a good role model for my son; the books I recall when I need patience, when I need to be reminded of the goodness in the world and in myself, when I need to be reminded that everyone, including my 'enemies' should be treated with dignity. These are books that inform my own poetry, my politics, and my dreams. They influence the way I want to tell stories and the way stories take shape in my imagination when I'm at work, my hands busy, but my mind free to fly. These are the books that gave me wings.<br />
<br />
I'm going to write a brief explanation of the why of each of these books. Some of the other folks I talked to might also explain their choices, and others may just give me a list and leave the whys of it up to our imaginations.<br />
<br />
Here's mine. I hope you'll be encouraged to make a list of your own, and feel free to share it with me. I'd love to see a million lists of favorite books.<br />
<br />
In no particular order:<br />
<br />
<i>1. Reader's Digest Guide to North American Wildlife</i><br />
My grandparents gave this to me as a Christmas gift one year. I took it to school, church, and sleepovers. I slept with it, and carried it on walks in the woods. I stayed up late nights, the only one awake in my house, leaning over its pages and learning about the animals in my backyard. I made lists of animals I'd seen, and held, and chased. I made lists of animals I hoped to see one day. I treasure this book, as a gift from beloved relatives, and as a beloved relative itself. It's the book that gave me the names of the world, and therefore enlarged my world beyond reckoning.<br />
<br />
2. <i>In Watermelon Sugar, by Richard Brautigan</i><br />
It's only the sweetest and most sinister fantasy story you'll ever read.<br />
<br />
<i>3. The White Goddess, by Robert Graves</i><br />
I don't know what to say about this book. I learned a lot about the grammatic history of poetry and myth from it...or did I? Apparently the scholarship has been questioned several times over the years. Never the less, this book illustrates and articulates the vast realm of poetry, its political importance, and its role as a cornerstone of human civilization. Mythology has always been an important source of ideas and solace for me. This book is a robust history and defense of mythology and poetry as shapers of our shared human imagination. <i>The Hero With a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell</i>, was a runner-up for this position on my list.<br />
<br />
4. <i>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard</i><br />
The first book that ever put into words feelings I had about God and Nature that I couldn't articulate but understood. I revere it as my Bible. I am flung about by its words, I am tugged between faith and reason, the sacred and the profane. The book is yoga for the mind seeking God in the wild abandon of Nature. I read this book and I come out of its pages loving the created world so damn hard.<br />
<br />
<i>5. The New Pocket Anthology of American Verse, ed. Oscar Williams</i><br />
I found this collection at a critical point in my life. A few things were happening, the least among them was my realization that I had neither the skill nor the ambition to be a comic book artist, which had been my dream for many years. I was 17 and writing my first poems, and my maternal grandmother had recently died. I found this anthology on top of a pile of books while we were cleaning up the artifacts of her short, tumultuous life. I took it outside with a cigarette I pinched from my father's soft pack of Basic Ultra Lights, and my life changed forever in the middle of the night as I turned those old, yellowed pages, and found myself in them.<br />
<br />
<br />The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-77236692459910229842013-08-22T21:41:00.001-07:002013-08-22T21:41:29.407-07:005 Questions, 5 BooksSo, it takes me a long time to finish an interview. Mostly it's my fault. I noticed recently that several of the interviews I had already posted looked shoddy. Frankly I found them sort of insulting to the poets I'd featured, and so I spent a bit of time lately reformatting things, getting spacing right and trying to figure out the best way to make everything on the blog looking top-notch.<br />
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Now I'm nearly done with one more interview, and I've started another one, which I already know will take some time because the poet in question told me they've been busy and will continue to be. In the meantime, I'll think of a second poet to start working with so I can have two interviews going at the same time. I want content, lots of it, more of it.<br />
<br />
To that end, I'm starting a couple of new features here on the Toledo Poetry Museum Blog. My idea is to sort of 'curate' an exhibit of Toledo's taste in literature, you know, make this blog an actual (virtual) Poetry Museum. I'm going to do short, 5 question interviews, with folks about their experience with poetry. All kinds of people, people who are pastors, teachers, Mayors, students, mechanics, poetry lovers and haters, farmers, psychiatrists, chefs, Old Angel Midnight, you name it. Then I'm also going to ask different people to give me a list of their five favorite books to share with you, dear readers. The lists might be brief, or they might be elaborate. In my experience book lovers have a lot to say about the stories that shaped them. I'm really excited about a few of the lists I've already collected.<br />
<br />
I'll get this party started in a day or two, when I post my own list of top 5 Books, and then I'll answer the 5 Questions a few days later. I want to build a nice catalog of both before I start posting so I don't have big lags in content.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading, by the way. It looks like I got a big bump in visits when I re-posted Bob's interview. I'm grateful for your time and interest. Now go write some poems!The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-986309934943002582013-06-05T21:52:00.002-07:002013-08-20T21:30:23.473-07:00"I'm Not Your Sweet Baboo" The Bob Phillips interview<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was 19 the first time I heard Bob Phillips read. He was performing as a member of the Back to Jack troupe at the Center for Performing Arts at the University of Toledo. Bob has a distinctive voice, with a bit of smoker’s gravel and a particular way of enunciating that gives every word its proper weight. I remember he read a scene out of </span><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Big Sur</span><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> where Jack is hungover, bemoaning his condition, his inability to abstain from drinking, and the sad status of the drunk in the world. Bob read this selection like he was born already familiar with Kerouac’s punctuation and cadence. It was the scene I most looked forward to hearing at subsequent Back to Jack performances.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not long after that first Back to Jack I started attending a local open mic where I heard Bob (and other Back to Jack performers) read original work. His poems are funny, sincere, spiritual, local in a way but still universal, accessible, and from my perspective, very well made. When you hear Bob read his poems, or find one of them in front of you, you realize that Bob cares a lot about what poetry can and should do. He’s humble about it. He’s at every reading in town, just about, sitting in the front row, remembering a line that killed in every poem and telling the poet who wrote it, after the reading, just how much he liked hearing it. Bob’s presence means a lot to poets young and old in Toledo. I’ve heard people say he’s the best poet in town, and they mean it. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When did you first start reading poetry? Who were you reading? </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you remember your first impulse to write? And can you describe it?</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I first got interested in poetry when I was around 11 yrs. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">old in the mid-1950s, from reading Mad Magazine (25 cents - cheap). </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">They often had humorous verse. One that I still remember was a take </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">off on Joyce Kilmer's "Trees". It was called "Beer" and started out </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">like this: "I think that I shall never hear/ a poem more lovely than </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">beer./ With golden base and snowy cap/ that stuff that Joe's Bar has </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">on tap.”</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I tried writing some humorous verse for awhile. However, I was </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">always getting unrequited crushes on various girls and then began </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">writing truly horrible poems about the pain of love and lack thereof.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, when I was about 12 yrs. old, I was reading a </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> magazine, which </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">my family subscribed to, and there was an article about the Beat </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generation. The article was very anti-Beat but after I read it I knew </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that I had stumbled upon my kind of people. I eventually went to the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">library and read Ferlinghetti's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Coney Island of the Mind</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Jack </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kerouac's first novel, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Town and the City</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and other Beat writings. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that was it. I was hooked on poetry and have been writing </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">seriously ever since. I guess I've been at it now for well over 50 </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">years.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you write everyday? Do you keep a kind of schedule or routine, or </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">do you write when the mood strikes you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't write everyday, or keep any kind of schedule, although </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I'm not writing I'm always thinking about it, and keeping my mind </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">and eyes open, and I think those thoughts and images get stored in my </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">head. Then, when I do sit down to write, hopefully some inspiration </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">will arrive and some of the thoughts and images will manifest </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">themselves into a poem on paper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes I'll go for weeks without writing anything, or writing </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">anything worth a damn. I start to get mentally and spiritually </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">unbalanced when that happens and force myself to get down to it </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">whether I feel like it or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read a book of essays by writers called </span><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Writing Life</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The essays </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">are about writing habits, the origins of poems or novels, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">relationships, things like that. One of the essays that really stuck with me was </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">about making your work space sacred in order to keep your focus </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">alive and your mind open to its own ideas. I'm wondering if you have a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">work space you go to, in your house or somewhere nearby, someplace </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">sacred that helps you write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, yes. For several years my favorite place to write is in </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the kitchen and usually at night. And I have to get the kitchen just </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">right. I have to get rid of any clutter, wipe the counters, wash and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">put away any dishes, get some music going, and get the lights down low </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">to create a mood that is receptive to creativity. And then hope that </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">something "happens".</span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One time I read something that made this little ritual make sense to </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">me. Cleaning things is kind of like communing with dirt, or the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">earth. Washing things is kind of like communing with water. Creating </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">some mood lighting, such as with candles or a dim light is, of course, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">like communing with fire. And getting inspired I suppose is like </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">getting your mind to take off into the sky. And of course there's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">music. Most religions and their practices involve these same elements. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I've always felt that when the creativity is flowing, and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">something is happening, and a poem manifests itself, I get the feeling </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">afterwards like I've just been to church. It's like an ecstatic </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">experience and is usually the only way I can write.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not always, of course. Sometimes a poem just comes from out of the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">blue at any time. But that doesn't happen very often.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a lot of references to jazz in your poems. Do you listen to </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">music while you write?</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I almost always have some music going in the background. I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">was lucky to stumble onto jazz at a very young age and Miles Davis </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">became a great inspiration to me when I was in the 8th grade. It </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">wasn't just his music that was inspiring, but also his artistic honesty </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">and passion to be true to himself. Definitely a lifetime mentor for </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">me. </span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd love to know who your jazz heroes are. Who do you listen to all </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the time?</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I owe jazz musicians a great debt for keeping my soul together. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">People like J.J. Johnson, Cannonball Adderly, Yusef Lateef, Charles </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Jackie McLean, Horace Silver; the list is </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">endless. I still listen to these people and the music remains as </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">fresh as ever.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">J.J. Johnson is one of my all time favorite jazz guys. When I first heard him I was so disappointed in myself for giving up the trombone in the 6th grade.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glad to hear you like J.J. Johnson. An album of his I listen to often </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I write is "Heroes" from 1998. Has some beautiful stuff on it.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I love all kinds of music. Some of my friends make fun of me </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">because I'll get hooked on musicians I never listened to in the past </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">or are a bit esoteric. Like a few years ago I discovered Boz Scaggs' </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">most recent albums which simply knock me out. I highly recommend his </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">album "Dig". Sometimes I'll put on some Stevie Nicks for her simple </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">passion. Or Erykah Badu. A little known band called The Cliks is a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">favorite. I'm a huge fan of Johnny "Guitar" Watson. I find all this </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">music inspirational when I write. I don't think I could function as </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">any type of artist without music.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And just for laughs, what album do you take with you to a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">deserted island, if you can only take one?</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stuck on a deserted island, I think Thelonious Monk's "The London </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collection" would do nicely.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was wondering about the most fun you've ever had at a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">reading. And by contrast, do you remember some duds, too?</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most fun I ever had wasn't at the actual poetry readings </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">but at the parties afterwards. In Toledo during the 1970's, 80's and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">90's, there was usually a big party after a reading. One of the most </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">fun and memorable was after Allen Ginsberg read at the University of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toledo, and there was a big party at professor Wally Martin's house. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Orlovsky was also in attendance. A local poet was working as an </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">ice cream truck driver and had his ice cream truck parked out front. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a funny and crazy scene when Ginsberg was invited to go out </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the truck and indulge in ice cream and what turned out to be other </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">matters, which I probably should be discrete about and not go into.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The biggest dud reading I ever participated in is when a bunch of us </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toledo poets were invited to read in Chicago at the famous Green Mill. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were 5 or 6 of us and there was absolutely no one in the </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">audience except for our host, Chicago poet Deborah Pintinelli. Zero. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nobody showed up. Being good troopers, we gave a good reading anyway, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">even if it was to an empty room.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did you meet Etheridge Knight? He's sort of a patron saint of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toledo poetry, so many of your contemporaries have personal stories </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">about him and great affection for him. Could you share one or two </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">memories with us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think it was in the late 70's when I first met Etheridge </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knight. I was renting a bedroom in a big house on Delaware Ave. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tom Barden had a room there, and Nick Muska also rented a bedroom that </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">he set up as a writing studio away from his home with the wonderful </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">and legendary Susan Harman Muska. At that time Nick and Joel Lipman </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">were figuring out ways to bring good poets to town for readings </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">through their invention of The Toledo Poets Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So they brought Etheridge Knight into town at that time, which I think </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">was the second time he read in Toledo. I had missed his first visit, and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">had never really heard of him before. Anyways, Mr. Knight comes into </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toledo and he's totally fucked up and juiced, and struggles with his </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">speech, yet still gives a hell of a poetry reading. Tom Barden put him </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">up in the house on Delaware and that's how I first got to meet him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't think you can call Etheridge the patron saint of poetry in</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toledo. That kudo has to go to Nick Muska and Joel Lipman. Those are </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the people who gave Toledo an illuminated poetry scene for the first </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">time ever. And Tom Barden deserves a lot of credit for his energies, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">not only in poetry, but also in folk and ethnic music at that time. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">But that's another story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But back to Etheridge Knight. He would come back to Toledo once in </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">awhile because he liked the poets in Toledo and they liked him. It </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">was like this for him in other cities too. He was kind of a Johnny </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appleseed of poetry. In spite of his addictions and habits he was a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">no-bullshit guy with extremely high intelligence. And wisdom learned </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the hard way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At one point he stayed in Toledo for awhile to lay low and finish work </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on his award winning collection, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Essential Etheridge Knight</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">published by the University of Pittsburgh Press.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another memorable reading was when Etheridge and poet Michael Lally </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">read together and stuck around town for a few days. That was around </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">1979. Lally currently has an interesting and entertaining blog on the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">net, and is a very fine poet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who are your favorite poets to read, and how have they influenced your writing? You mentioned the Beats earlier, but who else do you enjoy? Do you read contemporary poets?</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to read all kinds of poetry and poets but mostly </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">fairly contemporary things. And I've never read as much poetry as I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">should. I like a lot of women poets and think they are writing some </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the best stuff around. Sharon Dubiago and Joy Harjo are two </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">examples of many. A very early influence is e. e. cummings who I still </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">like to read. I've noticed lately that he remains an influence on </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">current young writers. Haiku was an early influence as I appeciated </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">how simple images and ordinary language can have great power if </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">written "just so". Native American poets for the same reason. A list </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">of poets I like would take up an entire page. I also am inspired by </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">and enjoy being around local poets. I even like the bad stuff as it </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">gives insight into what that person is feeling and thinking about, and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">what concerns them, and where they might be heading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Actually, I think that visual art and music has been more of an </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">influence on my writing than poets I've read over the years, as I've </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">always thought of poems as being word paintings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've also been influenced by stand-up comedians. Good comedy and a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">good poem share a lot in common. Both have to have some interesting </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">turns of words, timing and rhythm, an element of surprise, and a good</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you explain the important role poetry has played in your life? I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">wonder what makes you write poetry, or what makes any of us write </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">poetry? Do you feel you've been called to write? For me it feels like </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">a metaphysical thing, that I've been changed over time by writing </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">poems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't think I could survive if I couldn't write poems or </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">practice some other form of art. It's as important to me as food or </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">money. If I go too long without putting words on paper, even if it's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">crap, I feel like I might as well die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was in my late 20's I was going through a hard time creatively </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">and was very self-destructive because of it. I decided I would rather </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">live than kill myself trying to write. So I gave up poetry for a few </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">months. But what I discovered was that when I was doing mundane</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">things like talking on the phone, I would find myself doodling words </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">on a scrap of paper. What I came to realize is that writing poems was </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">something I was always going to do whether I chose to do so or not. I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">think what I learned was to stop worrying about it and simply do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think that sometimes people have to quit torturing themselves and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">kind of make friends with their creative demons so they don't get the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">best of you. After going through that tough period where I basically </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">had "writer's block" for about 5 years and almost gave up, then had </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">that simple revelation, I started writing better poems. And writing </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">became more enjoyable, too. Now when I write bad stuff and look at it </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the next day, I can laugh as I toss it into the shit can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think I can truthfully say that I was called to either write poems </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">or do some other creative art. I clearly recall an incident when I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">was about 5 years old and was standing in the deserted playground of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glenwood School on a gray autumn day. The wind was blowing dead </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">leaves across the cement and a strange feeling came out of nowhere and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">seemed to enter my little being. And I knew right then and there that </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would try to be some kind of artist and live or die by it. That </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">really happened and that feeling has never left me. Being any kind of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">artist in our society is difficult but I reserve my right to do it </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">whether I succeed in some small way or am a complete failure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think people write poems because it's a way of saying things and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">communicating with people that you can't do in normal conversation and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">discourse. It's the same language but somehow different. Also, for </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">me anyway, it's a way of trying to make sense out of nonsense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think that all creative things come from the same place, whether </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">it's dance, music, film, sculpture, and also things like </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">cabinet-making. Poetry is just one way it manifests itself. I kind </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">of wish I had a talent for music. Not that it's any less difficult, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">but at least you have a fair chance at making a little bit of money. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, poetry seems to be the poor uncle/aunt of the arts. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's no money in it whatsoever. At least it's inexpensive. All it </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">takes is a pencil and something to write on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can't imagine what painters must go through with the cost of art </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">supplies. You're in the middle of a painting and you run out of white </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">paint and you're totally broke. I guess the painting gets put on hold </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">until you can come up with a new tube. Whereas a writer can always </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">bum a pencil and find a piece of paper blowing in the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to Jack is an annual memorial reader’s theater dedicated to the work and memory of Jack Kerouac. There’s a rough script comprised of several dozen selections from Kerouac’s prose and poetry. 5 poet performers called 'Jacks' performed as Kerouac in different stages of his life, the young writer, the traveler, the drunk, etc. Bob performed Back to Jack with four other local poets for several years. Sometime in the late 90s the guys stopped performing. We all talked about it together, how great it was, how it was missed, and eventually I collaborated with Toledo poets and dear friends John Swaile and Caroline Gauger to bring Back to Jack back to Toledo. We’ve been performing with a rotating cast and new additions to the script for about 4 years now. The original 'Jacks' seem to dig what we do.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have to ask you about Back to Jack. It occurs to me that I've heard </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">a lot of stories about Back to Jack from the other guys who performed </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">in it, your friends and colleagues who supported the reading and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">partied with you after, but I don't know what got the reading started. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">When did you guys start performing together? Was the whole thing Nick </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Muska's] idea, or did you all contribute something to it? And didn't </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">you perform Back to Jack in Quebec and Lowell, MA, in front of Jack's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">friends and family? What was that like? Can you talk about meeting </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ginsberg and the other writers who were in the audience at this </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">reading?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The annual Back To Jack memorial reading was Nick Muska's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">idea and he originally chose the pieces to be read. After a couple of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">years Nick asked the participants to suggest other pieces so it wasn't </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the exact same text each year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was not an original member of the cast. Back To Jack began in 1984, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">if I remember correctly, with a performance at the Colony Bookstore. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edie Parker Kerouac came down from Detroit and was a special guest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took the place of the inimitable John Henry Newmark (aka Johnny Hi </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fi) in 1987 and the first time participated was at the tremendous </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kerouac festival in Quebec City. I was scared to death and thought I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did a terrible job. Afterwards, Allen Ginsberg came up to me and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">poked his finger in my stomach and said, "I liked you." That sure </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">made me feel better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wasn't part of the 1988 performance in Lowell. John Newmark took </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">his usual place as he had to miss the trip to Quebec. I think that's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the last time John was in the cast as he wanted to do other things. I </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">took his place again until we all kind of ran out of gas. And then </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">you younger folks took over the presentation which is very gratifying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, can you offer some advice or insight about writing you've </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">learned over time? Is there some practice or ritual, or a certain </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">mindset, you feel is essential to the life of a poet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A person has to be stubborn and dedicated and basically </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">single-minded to be a writer or any other kind of artist. As a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">gambler making a big bet would say, "I'm all in." You have to be in </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">it for the long haul even if that road leads to disappointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing that is truly important is to learn honest </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">self-criticism. Not an easy thing to do as a lot of creative people </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">look at their efforts with tunnel vision. But in the long run you </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">have to go with your gut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And of course you have to learn how to handle rejection and the lack </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">of recognition. Acceptance and recognition are secondary things. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's the act of creating something which is the primary objective. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything positive that comes after that is gravy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What most people don't realize is that trying to be some kind of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">artist involves living a life with two full-time jobs. There's the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">job you have to support yourself and any loved ones and also your </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">full-time job as an artist. After working a job all day it's very </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">difficult to summon up the energy and inspiration for creative </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">efforts. I think that's why a lot of people give up on their artistic </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">yearnings. It's very hard and can be disheartening and can feel like </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">you're spinning your wheels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gee, I sure used a lot of cliches about writing. But I guess that's </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">why they're cliches because most cliches are true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What follows is a nice selection of Bob's lovely poems.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><i>WORK NIGHT ON MAGYAR STREET</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A young couple lays in bed</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">talking</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& watching late night television.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Comfortable with each other</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">even though</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">their lives are edgy.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">It's winter in Toledo</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& tomorrow is a work day.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">They wrap their bodies</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">around each other</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& fall asleep.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">As if they were morning glories</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">who will awaken</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to whatever the sunlight brings.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Tonight,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">there is a huge ring</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">around the moon.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">The neighborhood dogs bark</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">at what they think is important</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">at 2 a.m.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><i>CAT'S NIGHT OUT</i></span></b></b></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">It's one of those Ohio nights</span></span></div>
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</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">mid-November</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">nippy as a motherfucker</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I'm having a few beers</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& the cat wants out bad</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">so I open the kitchen door</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& out he streaks</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as if tasting freedom</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">for the first time.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">A few minutes later</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">he leaps onto the hood of the car</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& then leaps onto its roof</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& sits there like king of the world.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">A friend of mine told me</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">that if you let your cat out</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">it will get some kind of terrible cat disease.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">But this night is too cold & dark</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& beautiful</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& rattling with autumn leaves</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& a tree branch in the wind</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">is an arm beckoning,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">"Come out! Come out!"</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><i>EATING BLUEGILLS</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">I don't want to talk about</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">their beauty</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">swimming in water</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">sometimes invisible</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">except for the pale blue lace</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of their tails.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">I don't want to talk about</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the grace</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of a great blue heron</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">gliding across water</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to its station in the shallows</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">where it waits for a meal</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">with due diligence</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& stillness</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as if it were frozen there.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">I don't want to talk about,</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as I eat these fish,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the loneliness of my heart.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Nor the damsel flies & dragon flies.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Nor the curious head of a turtle</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">popping up</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">here & there.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Nor the voice of the redwinged blackbird</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as if it were speaking</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">directly to you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">telling you the meaning</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of the rattle of reeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& autumn leaves</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in your terrible nightmares.</span></span></span><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">SELLING POEMS ON THE INTERNET</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I'd feel funny</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">having my own site.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Read my poems!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Buy my poems!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Validate me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Love me!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Meanwhile,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in a distant land</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">a family sips coffee</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">from small cups</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as an RPG explodes</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">a block away</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">@ 8 a.m.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">I'd feel funny,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">shamelessly self-promoting.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Read me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Buy me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Validate me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Love me!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Meanwhile,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in a not-so-distant land</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">a man in an expensive suit</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">sits at his desk</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as his monthly paycheck</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of half-a-mil</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">is electronically transferred</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to his savings account.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">If an RPG went off</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">several stories down</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in the street below</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">he wouldn't even hear it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">He doesn't care for poetry.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">He feels that artists</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">should get a real job.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">He feels validated.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">He feels loved.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">He can buy just about anything.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Meanwhile,</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in another distant land</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">flies buzz around</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the faces of starving children.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">And another so-called poet</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">hawks their wares</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">on the Internet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Read my poems!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Buy my poems!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Validate me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Love me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Love me!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">FEB. 14, 2011</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">It's just before midnight.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Huge piles of snow</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">slowly melt</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in utter silence</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">after a brief relief</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of warmer temperatures.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Winters in N.W. Ohio</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">are nasty & unpredictable.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I almost expect to find</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the carcass of a mastodon</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">after all the snow is melted.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">As I've become an old man</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I have a fear of dying in winter.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I want to die in summer</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as children run through the spray</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of a garden hose.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">As late night bickering</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">drifts through an old neighborhood.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">As the full moon illuminates</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">a small lake</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">where a huge midnight bass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">shatters the surface</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& just misses your Hula Popper.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">You sit there dejected</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">because you missed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the strike of a lifetime.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">And as you sit there feeling sorry for youself</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& not paying attention</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">the huge bass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">unexpectedly strikes again.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Of course you miss it</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">beause you're frustrated</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& feeling sorry for you luck</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& here it is your lucky night</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& you're not even ready for it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">That's the way things go.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The best things can happen</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">when you least expect it</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& then they are gone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">perhaps forever.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Pffft.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">Just like you & I.</span><br />
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<i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">OCTOBER 16th, 2010</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">I step out the back door</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">to look at the moon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">It's a little bit more than half-full</span></div>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& looks like a pear</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">or a teardrop.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">For a Saturday night</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">it's as quiet as a graveyard</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in this old & rowdy neighborhood.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">The Buckeyes lost</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& old Bobby Cser</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">across the street</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">is dying of cancer</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in his livingroom.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Summer is over</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& Columbia Gas of Ohio</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">is about to begin</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">it's yearly profession</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as a stickup artist.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">If there is a heaven</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">I hope there aren't</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">any utility companies up there.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">But I do hope there is a moon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">And hostas & flowers to attend to</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">for those who desire</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to attend them. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">And I hope there's beer</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& small lakes with lilypads</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& a kitchen radio</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">barely picking up a jazz station</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as the clock is about to strike midnight.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">A NORMAL STATE OF BEING</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">If you live long enough</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">you learn a lot of things</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">but it's never enough</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to fix things that happened</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in the past.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">As old</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& as wise</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">as you could ever become</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">you'll still be a kid</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">playing mumbly peg</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">your face in the grass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">eating dirt.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Believe it or not</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">cigarettes can be a way</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">of holding your life together.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm saving two of them</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">to have with my coffee</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">in the morning.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">Just as the world</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">comes to an end</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">& begins again.</span></span></span><br />
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<i style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">AFTER THE BREAKUP</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">It's like treading water</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">for 2 years</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">It's like the death of a loved one</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">which of course</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">it is.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">But it will be okay</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">waking alone</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">on a summer morning</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">your flowers of grief</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">on the kitchen counter</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">next to the coffee pot.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re interested in more of Bob’s work, you can find a copy of his chapbook “Swallowing Our Love for Everything”, collected and printed by Michael Grover at Covert Press: </span><a href="http://www.covertpress.com/phillips.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #000099; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.covertpress.com/phillips.html</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An older collection called “I’m not Your Sweet Babboo” is available from The University of Toledo Press: </span><a href="http://www.utoledopress.com/poets_center.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #000099; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.utoledopress.com/poets_center.html</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You can find work by other Toledo poets there too, all of it very fine, all of it rewarding.</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-123042df-0cdf-4678-ff44-2cc5142e5eb7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-31775393257782111112013-01-13T22:01:00.003-08:002013-07-31T05:05:58.952-07:00In Which I Tell You Some Things I Like<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I like drainage ditches overflowing with wild natives, like common milkweed, and dogwood, and bergamot, and goldenrod. I found my first monarch butterfly caterpillars on the milkweed that grew in the ditch in front of my parents' house. I reared one, on leaves I plucked daily, in a Styrofoam cup, until it became a chrysalis. Then I lost or threw away the cup, I can't remember. It was many years before I ever collected another living bug, I felt so bad about how that attempt with the monarch butterfly turned out, endangered as they were, or were in my mind, I thought I was helping the creature but in reality it had better chances where it was found. I've never wanted to collect bugs, anyway, and go through the trauma of the kill jar and the pin board. I'm happy to have chance encounters in the garden, or in the woods, or even in the basement where several cobweb weavers live, and put on terrifying display the wild assortment of insects that live in our homes unseen except as corpses beneath a spider's web. The variety is astonishing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I like corner stores, carry-outs, you might say, with a path well-trod in the linoleum or concrete floors, painted red or brown, from the front door with its electronic bell ringing to the beer cooler with its cases of Busch Light or Bud Light, where you'll find the roofers or landscapers after work with their pay checks to cash and spend on beer and cartons of cigarettes for the weekend. I stole a comic book from the carryout down the road from my parents' house. I road my bike there. I took "Guardians of the Galaxy", issue #1, by Jim Valentino and someone else, I don't know. It's bagged and boarded and organized in a longbox with several thousand other comics, each one procured in the standard manner. When I started working as a landscaper, our crew stopped there in the morning for cigarettes, snacks, lighters, some kind of microwavable breakfast food, and again later in the day for more cigarettes, bottles of water, six-packs of something to drink after work.</span><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8150356754194945" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though I prefer wilderness laid out according to Mother Nature's whim, I do like to see long green rows of winter wheat in the fields outside of Ida, where I live. One I pass frequently, on the east side of Lewis Ave., is patrolled by a male kestrel, who perches on utility poles and wires, and glares at furrows, long grass, or bare branches, gleaning morsels only his eyes, never mine, can see.</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like manila envelopes with metal closures, I like business size white envelopes that I have to lick to seal, and I like to draw on brown wrapping paper, brown paper grocery sacks, and the inner brown paper lining of the 50 lbs. flour sacks we get at the pizza place where I work. I rip a bag open and salvage the unsullied middle, which simply reinforces the whole bag, and I fold it into books, or envelopes, or fill an entire piece with crayon drawings for my son. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My son sings a song that goes like this: "This is Halloween, this is Halloween!", he repeats it over and over, deepening his voice, and hunching his shoulders so that his chin is in his chest. He's trying to be scary. You might be surprised to know that he's never watched 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' even though his song is quite like Halloween song from the movie. Kids, right? I guess they just know stuff. He also learned some of the words to 'Frosty the Snowman', 'O, Christmas Tree', and 'Let it Snow', and he sang them over and over again throughout the season, bringing great joy to all who heard him. He also sings along to his They Might Be Giants videos, his sister's Taylor Swift albums, and Justin Beiber songs, too. According to his mom he also likes Lady Gaga songs. I'm glad that he likes TMBG, because they're my favorite musicians, but I also like that his favorite songs are not my favorite songs. I also like to know that he has his tastes, though I feel I must intervene just a little, by providing him with more jazz, Bob Dylan, and other singer-songwriter type music, because honestly, pop music is for the birds. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to hear many voices singing in unison. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like the papery warmth of my grandmother's cheek, and a kiss on her cheek takes me back to the happiest moments of my childhood. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like stacks of books on shelves made of planks and cinder blocks, or milk crates full of paperbacks. I like the congested stacks and aisles of a used bookstore, the shelves crammed to bursting, the books swelling from hours and days of being read and soaking our essential oils into their pages, expanding as we do during this critical exchange called reading. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like the words 'crotch', 'underpants', 'leaf litter', 'fat', 'peach', 'dirty', 'book', 'drainage ditch', 'pond', 'woman', 'glitter', 'small', 'fuck', 'grit', 'mollusk', 'cephalopod', 'courtship', 'incarnadine'; I like the Latin names of plants and animals and memorized 50 insects names for the fun of it one summer. I made flashcards and learned them during slow times at work or at red lights.</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to read at red lights.</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like how my step-daughter's laugh, the real outburst, has the same nature as light, it's both particle and wave, it has dimension, it makes me think of rainbows and bells chiming in magical worlds. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like when I see you find your way into a favorite book, and you open it just anywhere and read from there, or when you re-read a chapter you've just finished for clarity, or comfort, or I don't know why, maybe so the book lasts longer. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to find yellowing receipts and grocery lists between pages of books I buy at second hand bookstores or library sales. I especially love it when the receipt I find comes from Thackeray's Books, a local, beloved bookstore that closed some years ago when a Borders opened in Toledo. And now Borders is gone, too. Assholes. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like your hair, the creative ways you style it, the way it smells like you even if it's washed, or after you come home from work. Even on the days you don't like the look of it, your hair is the epitome of femininity. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like your sweet, round belly, and putting my hand on it and snuggling into you, or feeling it pressed against my own stomach in a tight embrace. Our son was made in there somewhere, and I treasure your body for making him so perfect, and beautiful, and healthy. </span></span></b>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-82378738161717026222013-01-03T18:01:00.001-08:002013-07-31T05:07:47.390-07:00My Year in Books, 2012Compared to so many other year-end list makers, I'm a little late to the game. I love to read Year in Review lists, I like to see what other people are reading, why they read it, if my list has anything in common with theirs. I saw one guy's list on tumblr, and he included shots of the cover of every book he read, and a short review of each book. I'm not doing that, not today anyway, but I might get around to it some other time. For now, here's my list of the books I read in 2012.<br />
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Never-Ending Birds, Poetry, David Baker</div>
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God is not a Christian, Essays, Desmond Tutu</div>
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We the Animals, Fiction, Justin Torres</div>
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The Art of Losing, Poetry Anthology, ed. Kevin Young</div>
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Drifting House, Fiction, Krys Lee</div>
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No One, Autofiction, Gwenaelle Aubry</div>
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Useless Landscape, Poetry, D.A.Powell</div>
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In Search of Small Gods, Poetry, Jim Harrison</div>
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The Day my Mother Left, YA, James Prosek</div>
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Tender, Cookbook/Memoir, Nigel Slater</div>
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Downstream from Troutfishing in America, Memoir, Keith Abbott</div>
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The Outsiders, YA, S.E. Hinton</div>
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The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine, Fiction, Peter Straub</div>
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The Shape of the Journey, Poetry, Jim Harrison</div>
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The Drowning Girl, Fiction, Caitlin Keirnan</div>
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Reading Lolita in Tehran, Memoir, Azar Nafisi</div>
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Stardust, Fiction, Neil Gaiman</div>
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Prairie Soul, Nature/Memoir, Jeffrey Lockwood</div>
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The Hobbit, Fiction, J.R.R. Tolkien</div>
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Batman: Year One, Comics, Frank Miller and David Mazuchelli</div>
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Daredevil: Reborn, Comics, Frank Miller and David Mazuchelli</div>
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Spera, Comics, Josh Tierney and various artists</div>
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Legion Lost, Comics, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and Olivier Copiel</div>
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Madman and The Atomics, Comics, Michael Allred and Laura Allred</div>
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Beowulf, a New Telling, Fiction, Robert Nye</div>
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You should see the list of books I borrowed from the library but didn't read, though. I have a compulsive borrowing habit. There is probably no way for me to read all the books that catch my eye at the library and find their way home with me. Some of them sit in a pile till they're due, others ride shotgun with me and I read them at red lights or in lines at the bank or grocery store but I never finish them. I'm trying to slow down at the library so I can read the stack of books I actually paid money for, which are gathering dust on the nightstand as I type this. I've got comics to read in every room, issues of Poetry magazine and American Poetry Review in my book bag and under my bed, there are boxes of books in the basement I don't have room for on the shelves in the living room, and several more boxes in my parents' storage unit. I should probably stop working on this blog and get started on this year's Year in Books list. </div>
The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-77845708410109717832012-12-28T21:04:00.000-08:002013-07-31T05:08:52.438-07:00You Should be Writing, Horned Larks, What I'm Reading/Doing NowI usually write all my blog posts out by hand and then type them later. My mind and my hand <i>writing</i> are more in synch than my mind and my hand <i>typing</i>. I don't really feel a flow from one thought form to another while I'm typing, there's no rhythm is what I'm saying. I keep backspacing and thinking where the keys are instead of meandering from thoughts about what I ate today, and how basil reminds of my under arm odor sometimes, and my fiancee's been wearing long sleeves to bed since it's winter time so I haven't seen her under arm, and though we've been in winter awhile we only recently got snow, and I was worried that I wouldn't see horned larks this winter but lo and behold, there they were picking gravel in the driveway only minutes, it seems, after the snow started flying the day after Christmas.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I guess all those little red squiggles that mean I've misspelled something distract me. But I should be writing all the time, either here or in a notebook, and someday all that writing will be a book someone might want to read, and maybe I won't get any faster at the computer, but I might get more careful, and have less red squiggles on the page, and more of a simpatico relationship with my computer. Maybe we'll make sweet music together, though I'll have to get to know it a lot better first.<br />
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The point is, you should be writing, like me. It feels good to come home after a long, long day, a long 11.5 hour workday, I tell you it feels good to come home and make something instead of watch something. It's a small thing, this blog I've been barely keeping, but I have always wanted to maintain one and ruminate wildly or casually on matters of some, great, or no import. Speaking of ruminating wildly, I think Dr. Who is boring. There, I said it. I've only watched the first four episodes, and I promise to watch more as I've been assured the David Tennant episodes are brilliant.<br />
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What's the point of a blog? I have nothing to offer tonight. I'm reading a book I found at a library book sale called "The Gods of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas", and I'm reading the first two issues of Hellboy in Hell, and I'm also reading a retelling of Beowulf for young adults by Robert Nye. I'm sort of bouncing between the pages of each while I write this and take notes for my novel.<br />
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I'd love to see some end of the year reading lists, if anyone reading/following the blog would like to share. I'm going to share mine in a few days.<br />
<br />The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-56873407620046738012012-11-26T20:14:00.004-08:002012-11-26T20:14:56.208-08:00How About Just a List of BooksI'm at work. It's a slow day so I've been singing bits of favorite songs and thinking about books I love but never include on Lists of Books I Love. You know how sometimes someone says to you "What're your top five favorite books?" And maybe you have some go to favorites, or maybe you list the last five books you read. Well, I've mentioned it before, but I just finished reading <i>Reading Lolita in Tehran</i>, and if you've read it too then you know there's a lively discussion of <i>The Great Gatsby</i> in the early chapters. I've read Gatsby several times, out of great love and devotion for the work, but I'll be damned if I fail to mention it every time favorite books come up. Another book that comes to mind is <i>Spartina</i> by John Casey. I had strong memories of scenes in that novel throughout my reading of <i>RLiT</i>, especially during the Gatsby discussion. The setting of <i>Spartina</i> has much to do with this I'm sure, as much of the action takes place near an old summer home not unlike Gatsby's place. But the issue of morality in Gatsby brought <i>Spartina</i> to mind too, as the main character has a scandalous affair. Honestly it made me angry to read. Add to this list <i>Ethan Frome.</i> Assigned in high school, and duly read, I didn't realize what a great book it was until I reread it two summers ago. I also love <i>The Light in the Forest</i>, <i>My Side of the Mountain</i>, <i>The Moon is Down</i>, and <i>Tracks</i>. Within the last two years I've read <i>The Secret Garden</i>, <i>The Chocolate War</i>, and <i>The Outsiders</i> for the first time. All stand out stories, worthy of their longevity. I can go on and on, and I will. But this became way more than a list and I'm still at work, after all. The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-20099782249295590362012-11-24T22:14:00.001-08:002013-01-14T05:31:34.923-08:00Books, Some Old Thoughts, A List<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">The blog that follows was actually written in February while I was alone with my son watching the Super Bowl. I guess his mom must have been at work, and his big sister at her dad's house. But first, I've been reading <i>Reading Lolita in Tehran</i> for the past few weeks, and it reminded me of all the wonderful books I loved reading, and several still on my to-read list. I love to read. I love to talk about books, read about books, share books with others, stack them, collect them, browse them in the library, and just hold them in my hands. There's something soothing, and even reassuring, about the weight of a paperback in hand or pocket. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">I guess I'll consider this blog entry a prologue to a few longer ruminations about books and reading. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">So, I've been sitting here with my son, Henry, sort of watching the Superbowl, but mostly I’m wandering the house, doing dishes, straightening things up, building forts with Lincoln Logs and crashing them with Matchbox cars to Hen’s endless delight. Right now he’s doing somersaults in the living room. Right now he’s playing with his wooden train set. Right now every Tonka truck, Matchbox car, and toy tractor he owns is in the kitchen, where he races them on the linoleum floor and crashes them into each other, the dishwasher, the fridge, the stove. It goes on and on like this. He’ll help me unload the dishwasher, or he’ll put his favorite car in my hand to admire.</span></div>
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My step-daughter has several Barbie videos from her early childhood (she’s 11 now and way too old for Barbies), and Henry loves to watch them. Right now he’s handing me a video called <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus</em>, which we’ve already watched twice this week. We joke about it a little bit, but honestly I think it’s cool that Hen likes Barbie as much as he likes the movie <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cars</em>. He’s two, he likes cars, tractors, milk, the movies <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tangled</em> and <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Coraline,</em> and playing outside. We live on a farm with chickens and cows, fruit trees and a big vegetable garden. Henry likes to smell the fruit when we pick it, apples and peaches especially. He puts his nose right in the stem end and breaths deeply. Earlier today he held on to a maple tree branch and laughed wildly, full of joy.</div>
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I hope he grows into an open minded young man who remembers that he liked “girl” things when he was small, and as he gets older he’s gentle, friendly, stands up for what he believes in, and takes care of the people around him.</div>
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Then I found out Neil Gaiman has a tumblr so I started following it, and read several entries. While doing that it occurred to me that I love to read but I almost never talk about books on my tumblr, even though I put “book thoughts” in the heading. In order to rectify this infraction, I thought I’d make a list of my favorite books, fiction, comic, non-fiction, and poetry, and then a list of what I’ve read recently, like in the last 6 months or so. <span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I guess I’ll start out with five books for each category, and maybe if you’ve read them too, you can share your impressions with me, or else make your own list, where maybe I’ll meet my new favorite book.</span></div>
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1. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cannery Row</em>, by John Steinbeck. I’ve read this book twenty times or more. You’ll ask why but I can’t tell you without sitting down with a cup of coffee and a whole day to kill talking about it. You’ll say “Steinbeck” like it leaves a bad taste in your mouth and I’ll give you a copy of this book to freshen your breath. There’s a kind of masculine spirituality at play in Cannery Row, at least I think so, a sort of jocular, code of conduct, pay your dues and own up to your mistakes kind of lifestyle I admire and respond to. It’s also funny and tender. It’s short. You can read it two or three times and then go quickly to your favorite parts after that because you know where they are. Just read it. Trust me and give it a try. </div>
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2. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In Watermelon Sugar</em>, by Richard Brautigan. Another piece of whimsy. Supernatural, wondrous, quiet, unusual. Do you know Richard Brautigan? Let me introduce you. Tied for second is his book <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Confederate General from Big Sur</em>.</div>
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3. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Madame Bovary, </em>by Gustave Flaubert. Another book I’ve read more than a handful of times. I have two copies of it, as a matter of fact. I love Emma Bovary. This novel is made of careful, precise, unromantic prose. It was declaimed in its day for being too real, too cruel, too cold, but it’s not. It’s so well-written you have to draw your own conclusions, and you have to come to terms with the fact that people are like these characters, in any age, in any demographic, and Flaubert showed it, he didn’t tell it. He put that shit on display and it felt real, it feels real, because it is.</div>
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4. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Cauldron</em>, by Lloyd Alexander. I read it when I was nine, I read it last summer, and several times in between. It’s still trying to teach me how to be a better person. Taran of Caer Dallben is my hero. </div>
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5. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ceremony</em>, by Leslie Marmon Silko. This book is no joke. The story of an Native American who returns home from the Pacific Theater following WW II and he’s broken, his home is broken, his world and its symbols are broken. And something out there chose him to fix it all. This book, God, I’ve recommended it a million times. It’s astonishing. It got Silko in a bit of trouble because she PRINTED a story that was supposed to be SAID, not read, and she shared it with the world, though it’s a story that belonged to her people. It wasn’t supposed to be shared. And if you want to know what the story is, you have to read this book. </div>
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The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-16586574332144345292012-10-30T22:54:00.000-07:002012-10-30T22:54:08.352-07:00The Issue of Equal Rights. I guess that's all. So...let me get this straight. You're a parent. You've worked extra hours to buy bikes, varsity jackets, the best Christmas presents, to pay for summer camp, music lessons, elaborate birthday parties and exotic pets. You've read the same bedtime story 35 times in a row, and when your sweet, sleepless child said "Again", you read it 36 times in spite of your drooping eyes, and the dishes in the sink, homework to check, your own bed calling out to you. You've bandaged and kissed every injury, soothed every anguish and supported every decision, like the wrong friends, the dangerous sports, the pursuit of the arts as a career. How many nights did you stay up late with worry or wonder? How many mornings did you rise early, barely rested, to make a special breakfast or pack a favorite lunch for this very child, this animal of wonder you and your beloved spouse made together?<br />
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You're a parent. You've contradicted yourself before, to teach a lesson.<br />
<a name='more'></a> You've even learned some lessons of your own. You're going to fight to find a cure for breast cancer, autism, multiple sclerosis; you're going to fight to protect your religious freedoms; you're going to fight to protect the whales or the Texas prairie chicken, but you're not going to fight for love? You've fought countless battles for this child over a lifetime, and now, when your son brings his boyfriend home, or your daughter brings her girlfriend home, you're going to take off the gloves? You're going to quit? You're going to contradict yourself? You're not going to support Equal Rights?<br />
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There's a sign on the border between Michigan and Ohio that I pass everyday on my way home from work. It says "President Obama supports abortion and gay marriage, do you?" I read that sign and I see EQUAL RIGHTS AND PRO-CHOICE. And yes, I support those things, because it's humane, it's fair, it's decent. You have to support your kids through this, too. This is the fight all those little childhood battles prepared you for. I'm going to tell you this, too--even if you are one of those open-minded parents, and I think there are many of you (us) out there, but you're not pushing your friends and other relations to support equal opportunity for your gay son or daughter to get married, then the fight is still on and you have to keep fighting. You have to vote, you have to volunteer, you have to be proud of your children and of yourself for being the parent who protected them, and nurtured them into adulthood, and gave them the strength of character to be who and what they are at this time in this life. I don't think homosexuals are choosing to live "in sin". I don't think homosexuals are choosing not to be straight. I think homosexuals, like heterosexuals, are choosing to live the best life possible, and they want, like heterosexuals, to live without discrimination or fear of reprisal for their lifestyle.<br />
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I'm writing this because a few months ago a friend of mine and I were having a discussion about the way his church addressed homosexuality, and how he wasn't having any bigotry in the Lord's house, but he otherwise liked his church a lot. His decision to finally leave that church came down to his son, who is four years old. He basically feels like, what if my son is gay? If he is gay, I still want him to have the fullest life possible BECAUSE I LOVE HIM, and therefore cannot abide by discrimination against homosexuals now, because that would harm his future. But here's the big, sweeping idea I'm trying to get at: we both also agreed that by taking this approach now, whether our sons are gay or not, we're preparing our sons to be compassionate children and adults, but we're also somehow telling the parents of homosexuals, and their kids, that we love them and stand beside them. Because discrimination against love is wrong. Discriminating against a lifestyle choice that is no more harmless or fraught with peril than your own is wrong. It's not as if we're being asked to tolerate a culture of serial killers because they have rights, too. No, we're saying PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, QUALITY OF LIFE, EQUALITY, those things matter.<br />
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I hear my son laugh out loud in his sleep. His mother and I go check him and he's fine, smiling and sleeping soundly. I know I will do anything for this child, for his whole life. He's my child for as long as we live, not just until he becomes an adult. And I believe in equality not only for him, not just in case he's an outsider who the world hates and fears, but for everyone, for all time. It's not a matter of personal convenience that I take this stance. I hope it's for the betterment of the world, you know? All of our kids, yours and mine, should have the right to love who they want for their whole lives. And I think it's plain wrong not to fight for them, for our kids right now, and the future kids, too, and for the young adults who are starting their grown-up lives as well, and even for the grown-ups who've been in loving same sex relationships for years, we have to keep fighting for their rights, too.The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-35314979348825952142012-10-12T21:47:00.003-07:002012-10-12T21:49:12.441-07:00Some of Us Write it Down: The Nicol Kostic Interview<b id="internal-source-marker_0.1957740280777216" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t remember when I first met Nicol Kostic. I saw her occasionally at the Sam ‘n Andy’s reading I hosted in the late nineties, and I liked her poems but got the very wrong impression that she wasn’t interested in talking to a young kid, and she liked to keep to herself. Once I moved into the Collingwood Arts Center, I learned how wrong about her I was. The CAC is a communal living situation where working artists combine residential space with studio space for a modest rent. There was one kitchen for all of us, in the basement, and one restroom per floor, shared by all the tenants. It was a creepy, lovely, inspiring and at times debauched place, but it was home, and it was cool. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nicol had lived there for a long time, doing her many arts, and one evening, while doing my dinner dishes, she and her husband and I started a conversation about the value of art, of taking chances, believing in your creative goals, and giving precedence to the creative impulse. It was a wonderful hour. It turns out that not only was Nicol interested in talking to a young kid, she was really enthusiastic about all the arts, and willing to share her enthusiasm.</span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.1957740280777216" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These days she has a challenging time getting out and about, but she’s a great e-mailer and encourages artists of all kinds to post links to their work on her facebook page. She also founded the Toledo Poetry Foundation page on facebook where many people have posted poems over the years. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nicol’s poems are generally short, terse, and delivered in a plain-spoken, deliberate Midwestern tone. Nicol’s poems are fully located in this real world. Her chapbook, 5 a.m., includes two poems about men shitting their pants, two poems about cleaning the body’s scum from a wound, then there are poems about Chinese food, diners, vagrants, dick and fart puns, and many frankly sexual poems. There are also poems about self worth, love poems, poems full of love advice for women, and poems of regret, frustration and great anger. Nicol’s poems are raw, soemtimes didactic, direct. What saves them from pure confession is a figurative vulnerability and some careful wordplay, a willingness to be self-deprecating, and a distinctive use of commas and line breaks that makes her poems unique, unpredictable, and artful.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please, allow me to introduce to you Nicol Kostic. Enjoy this interview and several poems that follow. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let's start by talking about your introduction to poetry. When did you first encounter poetry? And do you remember some of the first poems you read? Is there someone responsible for getting you interested in poetry.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we're in High School we're required to write. In the 11th Grade, I had a well-seasoned English teacher, Marjorie Maranda, she told me I had writing abilities, & should pursue it. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My poetry emerged while traveling 22 years with the U.S. Army. If we come from Iowa, & notice the golden, almost bursting, ripened wheat, we notice similar things catching our attention, some of us write it down. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was it love at first sight? Did you read that poem and go, yeah, this is what I'm doing!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's wrong with, "Did you read that Poem, & GO!" But, it was not love at first sight. I had to get into it, read it, hear it, put it under the microscope, then do some rearranging, dress the words up, or make them come alive.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How old were you when you wrote your first poem?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At age 4 my mother bought a little, red, Swingline stapler, as she fell asleep from working all day, I found the ‘toy’ & put it to work myself, in the folding, & now stapling, and my first little books were created, with pictures, & words on their pages in crayon. Words seem to fit together, then become poems. I was born this way. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early on in our discussion about doing this interview, you sent an email about your experience with Aspergers Syndrome. You said people considered you to be weird or crazy earlier in your life. Has having Aspergers made you the artist/poet you are today? Has making art been a way of coping, or communicating? </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people do not know this about me. At the time when I was diagnosed, 1962, it was just called a Learning Disability, & hadn't been given a name yet. I didn't talk much, & always felt I was on the outside looking in, transferring my interests to paper, much easier than people. ‘WEIRD’’? Oh yeah, an adjective attached to me like a tattoo. To this day, people actually say, "You're weird." (Does that translate to “You're hard to be pigeon-holed”?) Here is the poem that kind of answers you better:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Transference</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and as they ridiculed, laughing, rejecting me,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I became closer to my papers,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bonding with my pastes,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holding my scissors,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">creating my own visions,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that would never hurt me,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fail me, give me a black eye,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or let me down, ever.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you think you were more likely to become a creative person because of your Asperger’s?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, the answer to your question is yes, it has been a way of coping, & how I communicate.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When a person has disabilities, they have to focus on what they CAN do, not what they can't.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There simply is no failure in art, & that’s WHY it is so frequently used in therapy of any kind. It's a Spiritual thing, every culture, every tribe, has produced their own art, since we stood up on two feet.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love the mixed-media collage components of your poetry books. What made you decide to add an illustrative/visual component to your poems?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, now, add some symbols/letters, some collage, & you've made Visual Poetry, & much it’s more interesting compared to any blank page; I have always thought of it as dressing-up the page.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you from Toledo? And did you go to open-mics and things like that often?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was born at Toledo Hospital, but lived on a fading farm in Bowling Green, OH, until 10, then moved to Toledo, lived on Broadway, near the Zoo. I went to the old Newberry School, built at the turn of the century, & still have a close friend, Walter, who went there too. Have written poems about Walter, & his cat, for example, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Tender Art Of Ear-Goo-Gooing,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in my first chapbook, read on many stages. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Am not much of a hanger-outer. You go in, survey the situation, blab to a couple of people, do your part, & leave. I’m a recovering alcoholic, & most poetry readings, open-mic situations, are held where? In bars. It's not easy to remain sober, in a drinking world. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was actively reading, & more involved in Toledo's Poetry Scene, it always surprised me when the audience would applaud, or respond unexpectedly. They shared ‘my’ feelings.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a huge group of us that met regularly at the Ottawa Tavern, before it burned down. I feel like a fossil, I’ve been around so long, & the new kids don't know that (but trust me to tell you, I earned my stripes).</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's been a pretty vibrant poetry community in Toledo for a long time. You've been a part of it for many years. I remember seeing you at Sam 'n Andy's occasionally and once or twice at Thackeray's for book release parties. What is it about Toledo that keeps poetry alive here? What do you think?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The poetry community in Toledo has had a long run. I am remembering Doris Goldberg, who had a Poetry section in the Peach part of the Blade, almost forever. Housewives, milkmen, & 5th graders mailed their work in to her faithfully, (this is the 1950's) in hope of being published. Then there was The Colony (‘60's) where all the artists & poets hung out. Professor Joel Lipman (from UT) is one of the most dedicated & inspiring poets Toledo has ever known. Then our kids took the stage, & hopefully, they will pass the torch. Memories write poems, some of us take the time to put them on paper.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who are the poets you admire? What makes them special to you?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">William Carlos Williams is my favorite Poet, but then there are so many others. Baudelaire, e.e. cummings (who broke the rules ), Carl Sandurg, Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, (don't get me started), it's a long list of immortals, & their writings outlived them. The Poet in us longs to leave that last sentence to mankind. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm always interested in the artist's work space. Do you have an office or room where you work? Do you think it's important for the creative process to have a space set aside for art only?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I paint, it's often in front of my huge TV, my space is small, & very full, with a personal library, journals, art supplies, other artist’s work, plus my own, papers, glue, brushes, easel, & equipment. I live on a futon, in the center of it all. It's very important to make yourself a creative space, even if it's a corner of a room, or the small studio, because it's yours, & hopefully nobody will invade it to clean, & rearrange your projects, notes, or papers.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You do visual art as well, right? What kind of work do you make? And do you find yourself in a different frame of mind when you work visually versus when you're writing poems? </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh! you asked what I paint. Came on to the painting scene about the time Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, & 16 other Abstract Expressionists had formed The New York 18. Somewhere in the interest of that, I was smitten with my own use of primary colors, & the minimalism of meaning more. Painted as I traveled, exhibiting the work, with many sales in the 9 years of living in Europe, when I worked for the Army.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a few of your chapbooks here and the pages are full of illustrations as well as poetry, so I wonder if you have a plan in mind when you arrange your chapbooks or if the finished product is something that you've fiddled around with until you reach a composition you like?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So far as the Chap books, (& there were about 14 altogether), they were deliberately made very visual. It's more interesting than the undecorated, or dull, white page. Visual Poetry, you can make anything you want. Dress up the letters, & words, create some new ones, or combinations thereof, altered pages can become collections, & Altered Books.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a writing schedule? Or a schedule of any kind for that matter? Or do you work when you feel like it, or when the mood strikes?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing takes place wherever it happens. It's edited many times before it becomes the finished page, which happens on the floor too, & that changes from day to day, with the projects. Now, that I'm retired, am finally able to devote most of my time to art, in one medium or another. Whether it's a pen, or a brush, it doesn't matter, & just keeps flowing. Some people take it so "seriously", forgetting that the act of being creative can be fun, & where you can break rules, if there are any. The Muse returns, then exits again, like poetry, it ebbs, & flows, seeming only a natural course of things.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm curious about something. Every time I read through the questions we've already finished, I come across the section where you mention Langston Hughes, and you say, “Don't get me started”, referring to him. Do you have a special fondness for him? I'd like to know why you said that. I've always liked Hughes best when someone else is reading him out loud to me, or when I'm reading some analysis of his work. It seems simple and elegant but really his poetry is so rich and complex. I'd really like to hear more about your relationship to his work.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Langston Hughes. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rich</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an accurate word, transcending the limited possibilities </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for such a man, in his time. Everything so well-stated, & to the point. Now, I like that characteristic in someone, saying what they mean, & meaning what they say = Langston Hughes, & I doubt that anyone would disagree. I am certain he faced more than his fair share of ridicule, & obstacles, he endured with artistic integrity, very evident in his poems/work.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also hoped you could share a favorite Toledo story with us. A good memory or an occasion that sticks in your mind from a poetry reading or something.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Toledo Memory (a favorite):</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Fall of '87, I'd only recently moved to Toledo, after 21 years on the road, with a husband who had a career w/ the military, & retired. We were new in town, & hardly knew anyone. So to socialize, we attended some local activities, there was an Arts Fair at International Park, on the river, that year. There were numerous booths at the event: paintings, jewelry, pottery, local organizations, & one of them was The Writers Resource Center, & as I recall, Lynn Walker was in the booth, with a yellow tablet, so interested poets/writers could sign-up. I had written some stuff, but never talked about it much, & certainly had never presented it to an audience! She invited me to join them, & it [the reading] was at the (old) Ottawa Tavern. I picked out some stuff, & went. I signed up to read, waiting with what felt like Cecropia moths in my stomach, far more alarming than butterflies, when my name was called. I nervously did the do, & to my absolute astonishment, was very well received...People I didn't know came up to me after the last poet read, & commented about my work, or said they enjoyed something specific, blah, blah, blah. It turned into a regular thing, & in time was asked to serve on the Board of Directors for The Writers Resource Center, because it was partially funded by Ohio Arts Council Grant money, and I was voted in. John Swaile was part of that group, Bob Phillips, Steve Toth, Star Bowers, Pat Garver, Nick Muska, Lavone & Beth Brillhart, Dennis Doblinger, Ray Moore, Dana Wright, Arnie Koester, Anne Bliss, & many others I don't remember, after 25 years!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And finally, I ask a version of this question to everyone, so here goes. Why do you write poetry? I know we talked about the therapeutic benefits of art earlier, but I wonder if the impulse to write goes beyond therapy? Why is it important? Has poetry improved your life? </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do I write poetry ?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"To be away from home and yet to feel at home anywhere; to see the world, to be at the very center of the world, and yet to be unseen of the world, such are the minor pleasures of those independent, intense, and impartial spitits, who do not lend themselves easily to linguistic definitions. The observer is a prince enjoying his incognito wherever he goes. " </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charles Baudelaire</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have some last words of wisdom for our readers? For young poets or poets on hiatus? Something that'll charge the old Poetry Battery?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Words of Wisdom:</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get OUT THERE & </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Live</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! DO THINGS! Ttravel, explore, meet people, see stuff, try new things, take risks, taste new things, mingle, experience, & try to do it all </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lovingly.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Journal as you Journey! One Haiku per day = 365 in one year = a Book!</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">24 HOUR GAS STATIONS AND OTHER REFUGEES</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">en route to maine </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the muffler came off</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">making sparks on the highway</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just before new jersey.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stuck back on </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with a humble coat hanger</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the radio forecasted</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">one hundred today.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the car kept getting hotter</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and someplace after albany</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(but before mass)</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the alternator died</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">killing the battery</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on a saturday night</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">near some up-state cow-town.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a red glowing arrow</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pierces the yellow sunoco letters</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lit by background of cobalt blue--</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the attendant said we could stay</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">until some help came along</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and as he bent down to loop</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the green water hose</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he farted. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SKIN HUNGER</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fat women</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">are neglected women</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who flatly do not get</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">enough love</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and when they eat</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they eat poison anger</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like mashed potatoes</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it takes a rare man</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to handle one of these</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">giant pissed off women,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she goes toe to toe,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">knows the taste</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of bitterness well</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">upon her tongue.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FRANK AND THE MOON-DOGS</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">over on the east side, close to the river</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there’s a cement company they call the rock. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the men pour ‘crete, heavy trucks rattle making noise</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">then out again churning and spilling.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wear and tear and build up have created a barren</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">surrealistic no-man’s land: hilly, gray, dust laden.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">if you went there, it might occur to you </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you’re on another planet, rather lunar.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a spacecraft could land and nobody would lift an eyebrow.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there is a lonely security guard with a moustache, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in a dark blue shirt pouring coffee from a big thermos most nights.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a quiet, uneventful job, making sure nobody bothers</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the equipment, but somebody has to do it. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">simultaneously someone dumped off a pregnant, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ugly mutt out there in the middle of the night.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the rock became her isolated home.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she had her puppies without notice</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unceremoniously licked them clean, cared for them</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kissed them goodnight, taught them to survive as wild wolves</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running up and down those barren slopes.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">frank calls them the moon-dogs.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he throws them the horrible sandwiches he hates</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from his gray lunch pail (like bologna and butter).</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the moon-dogs eagerly anticipate all his discards.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they don’t have to chase down and kill bologna between bread</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(but they don’t get the meatloaf sandwiches)</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and if you go there late some night</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">under a vast starlit sky, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what i describe is </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">exactly what you’ll find</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">frank and the moon-dogs, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for there is poetry in even ou </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the most forgotten things. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5 A.M.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have not yet gone to sleep,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">humid night, hot...if we</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lived in a tropical rainforest,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you would make arrows, and </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dip their sharp ends into </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the carari, setting each one by</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the fire to dry.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’d take your blow-gun, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out with you, on the hunt, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">returning a few hours later,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lugging a big monkey,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">whose tail would be tied</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘round its neck, forming a</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">convenient, furry handle. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’d throw it down</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on my fire,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Honey, I brought you a</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fresh monkey, for breakfast.”</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I’d be expected to make </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it with scrambled eggs, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">enough left-over for, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">monkey ka-bobs, monkey stew, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">monkey chili, monkey fondue...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but it’s not a tropical rainforest, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and I live alone, no cooking </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">required and no </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">monkey on my menu.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE FILTERING 5 A.M. CONTINUUM</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Out of milk...no raisin bran this morning,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love the doodle-bugs on Sesame Street, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what happened to the work Allen Ginsberg</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">had of mine after he died,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll make a pot of coffee, bean juice</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will get me going...haven’t heard from my</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mom in several days, why does my phone</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have to be out of order...X, has probably</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tried to call...I hate that song on the radio, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">change the station, need to buy stamps and </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">light-bulbs, return library books today,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">catch the bus, I hate taking the bus, why</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do people think I’m rich, rich people have </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cars, they do not take buses, maybe that</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">does not occur to those who think I’m rich...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and if I had a car, I’d be lugging these </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">paintings to galleries for a hopeful sale, and</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">someone would recognize I have some</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">talent...and this must be a similar dialogue that</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Van Gogh had with himself...and what if,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like him, I remain impoverished for the </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rest of my life...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THERE WILL BE NO PRINCE</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the fairy tales it is a Prince that</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">comes along and rescues.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turns out to be a hero, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the eyes of the damsel he saves. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When were these tales written, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they are out-dated, to say the least.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In your solitude, you need to </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">work at developing your self.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self-improvement books and books</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lending insight to your psyche. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a multitude of hobbies, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yet to be explored.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take a painting class, tai-chi, line</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dancing, go on-line with the internet, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">learn how to use a computer, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(to write your own poems).</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The idea of a Prince coming along,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is a great concept, but not very</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">REALISTIC. How many have you </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">met, thus far in your life, and if you </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wait for one, don’t hold your breath, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in anticipation of his rescue...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PESTO</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The basil is in season now, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">green and full, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fragrancing the hands and </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gardens of all who thought</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to plant it,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">minced finely with parsley,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sauteed garlic cloves, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pine nuts, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">salt and olive oil...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it becomes pesto.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A green sauce, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spooned over hot ziti, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or any pasta.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add a dash of romano, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a sprinkling of </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">freshly grated parmesan, </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tossed with large spoons</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in a big bowl.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Basil was once considered</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an aphrodisiac.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been busy making pesto.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thinking about,</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sharing it with someone...</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve a feeling it’s going to be another</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">very long, cold winter.</span></b>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-10839518366045703742012-10-08T21:18:00.001-07:002012-10-08T21:47:02.842-07:00A Poem, September in the Midwest, The Little Creatures of Nature. It's Sunday afternoon in the Universe, it's September, and lately the days are giving June, my most favorite month, a run for her money. Purple and yellow asters crowd the drainage ditches, along with chicory still flowering, thistles, golden rod, sumac, and heath asters. A lot of people around these parts have let roses go sort of feral in their ditches, or in underbrush near the road, and those leaves and thorns are red and sinister looking against the impossibly green lawns and tall grass growing in fallow fields. God, there are so many flowers I can't name or describe them all. I'm telling you the world outside your door is a quilt, it's a coat of many colors, it's the most magical thing going right now, unless your children happen to be outside playing in it, and then <i>that </i>is the most magical thing going.<br />
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A few times a week I go outside in my bare feet and walk around in the grass. I read in a magazine that the grass stimulates the skin of your feet, releasing negative energy, soothing body and soul. Maybe. Maybe it does. I'm pretty wound up all the time, so I'm not sure if walking in the grass alone is sufficient to release all my negative energy, but I'll tell you what, it feels damn good, and it is relaxing. <br />
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It's September, and we've had some rain recently, so the grass is bright and cool. The wind is up, gentle and persistent, like my son in the morning, waking me for breakfast or play. There's a quality of light in September, it's like honey. It's the golden rod pollen haze and the sun receding. It's more luminous. I want to spread it on fresh bread like butter and eat it every day. I wish I could.<br />
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Well, as you might tell September got right away from me. It's now October, the haunted month. The sassafras trees are winning the fall foliage award for most splendid and colorful transformation. The little creatures of nature are still busy. Last night, under threat of frost, I harvested several handfuls of the herbs we planted this spring: parsley, flat and curly, tarragon, lavender, dill, lemon balm, and chives. While cleaning this haul to get it ready for drying I found a black swallowtail caterpillar in the curly parsley. Tonight I meant to put it in a caterpillar condo, just a plastic tub with some holes cut out and covered with hardware fabric or screen so we can watch the creature eat and develop. Well, the damn thing has flown the coop! It left behind a few stripped parsley stems and a pile of green feces, but is otherwise MIA. And as I type this an enormous and bold o'possum is on the front porch eating from Ella's food dish. I keep trying to take a picture but it's not so bold it'll stick around for it's own mugshot. It's a terrifying, ancient creature. North America's only marsupial. I'm sad for the ugly thing, and a little afraid of its wildness. It's not a small bug I can handle but a mammal, muscular and cunning. It survives. Earlier I pushed at it with a broom because I was afraid it and the cat were going to get all Roadhouse on each other, and I could feel it's strength when it resisted me and scurried off the porch. It's a brute. But, you know, elegant and well made, too. A part of the world just as we are, descended from stars and a prehistoric imagination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQugVXkLvHYIXrc85KSNPieAIjCPmT207W4YHHNSBdWo0zDKWkKfjUi5_cz9w8nOdULvI7QWqzgVvdOQxfIXXqF5JrV-FE5cU3ThyphenhyphenAMn3genRKvJnny_dHuwq8VjeK0EuPFieDCqGoQ8/s1600/caterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQugVXkLvHYIXrc85KSNPieAIjCPmT207W4YHHNSBdWo0zDKWkKfjUi5_cz9w8nOdULvI7QWqzgVvdOQxfIXXqF5JrV-FE5cU3ThyphenhyphenAMn3genRKvJnny_dHuwq8VjeK0EuPFieDCqGoQ8/s320/caterpillar.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swallowtail caterpillar in a bunch of curly parsley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black and gold orb weaver. My son and I cruised the verge of the drainage ditch in front of our house one day and counted 12 of these beautiful creatures in an area just a few yards long. </td></tr>
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Here's a poem:<br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.793921722099185" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Metaphysical Questionnaire</i></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll want to know if I believe</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in miracles, ghosts, and horoscopes. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll tell you this, I believe in the</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seasons, the colorful passage of time. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Annually, wildflowers and wild creatures</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">appear to come back from the dead,</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">though they’ve only been resting</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">underground, or maybe underwater;</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or some birds, like turkey vultures</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and robins, have flown to sunlit lands</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">across the sea or the great plains.</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like the soul does, when it’s done </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with its body, if you want to believe</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in that. My grandmother died, and</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sure, I cried to see her go, but</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the black eyed susan grows up </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">every year, crowding roadside grass</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unmowed. She taught me the name</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of those flowers and many others, </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so couldn’t it be said she annually returns, </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and nods her head at me as I drive to work</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or home from some misadventure?</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Listen, disregard the careless advice</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of newspaper astrologists and television </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ministers. I believe everything the Earth</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides is only semi-permanent, so </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put my faith in the seasons, and worship</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">periodically the snow and thunder storm,</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cicadas emerging, maple trees dropping </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their keys in lawns, turkey vultures soaring</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">over stone quarries and milkweed crowding</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">highway embankments. I don’t believe</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in anything supernatural. Nature itself</span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides daily and recurring miracles, </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thank God for that, thank every wild God.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><br />
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<br />The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-78770171597680998992012-09-26T21:04:00.000-07:002012-09-26T21:13:07.016-07:00Back to Jack, A Poem, Drawing Challenge BlogWe're so busy around these parts lately, I've hardly been able to make time for this enterprise. Our annual Jack Kerouac memorial reading is coming up, on October 21, so we're full steam ahead on rehearsals, locking down the script, getting a venue lined up, and chasing down performers. Back to Jack is a literary tradition in Toledo, going back to 1984. The original 'Jacks', five poets and musicians who performed and caroused together, took Back to Jack to Lowell, MA, and Ontario, I believe, and even performed in front of Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassady's widow. They also performed all over town, in bars, sandwich shops, and the Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Toledo.<br />
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Back to Jack went on hiatus in the mid-nineties, but I got the script from Nick Muska, gentleman poet and founder of Back to Jack, and with his blessing, and the blessings of the other 'Jacks', started performing the show again with a semi-regular cast of new 'Jacks', including John Swaile, Caroline Gauger, Matt Sradeja, Ryan Warner, Adrian Lime, Jonie McItire, Andrew Field, Ashely Eichner, and Jake Hammond. We've been blessed with the cooperation of many fine business owners in Toledo, including the Davids at The Original Sub-Shop (where Back to Jack has been performed several times, and where we debuted our first effort), Mickey Finn's Pub, and The Attic on Adams, who have let us use their space for performances. The poets and literature lovers have also been really generous, coming out in good numbers to support us and get carried away by the big spirit of Jack Kerouac, as he lives in the words he wrote and we try hard to bring to life. Here's a photo of last year's performance:<br />
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Pictured from Left to Right: Adrian Lime, Ashley Eichner, Andrew Field, yours truly, Jonie McIntire, and Caroline Gauger. Not Pictured: Jake Hammond. So I'll post one of him solo, here:</div>
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What else, what else? I'm not making a bit of progress on my novel, but I have started reading <u>Reading Lolita in Tehran</u>. I have a lot to say about that book. I'm drafting a blog entry as I read. I can't believe I've never read Nabokov. My primary encounter with Nabokov comes from a poem by William Matthews called <i>Nabokov's Blues. </i>If you've read <u>Reading Lolita in Tehran</u>, you know why I'm mentioning Nabokov. If you haven't read it, then do so soon. It's especially relevant considering the Iranian president will be speaking at the U.N.'s General Assembly this weekend. </div>
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I also started a weekly drawing challenge blog with my friend Mike Noss. You can find that here: </div>
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<a href="http://michaelsdrawing.tumblr.com/">http://michaelsdrawing.tumblr.com/</a></div>
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And last but not least, here's a poem for your pleasure: </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Alive Now</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every day I wish</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to step into the wind</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and let it carry me </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">until I land somewhere</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so far from here;</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>our planet</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is still so full of wonders--</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the smallest songbird</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nest woven in a roadside</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dogwood is a cup</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">full of life,</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and the biggest animal </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that ever lived is not </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an extinct dinosaur</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but the blue whale, </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">alive </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now, </span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at the same</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">time as you and I.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why shouldn’t I leap</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into the world and</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interact with the wild things</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">abounding? Who knows</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what I’ll find in the</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wind, water, or leaf litter?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maybe God</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is found down here, </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the created world, </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and not in the world to come, </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the world that </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">may never be.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me return to the </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">poetry of creatures, to being</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an animal in spirit,</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and pray let that ancient nature</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">entice the shy catbird</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into my hand, and with its</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">multitudinous voices</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">give me all the words</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I need to speak to God</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in whatever far-flung lands</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the wind carries me to. </span></span></b></div>
The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-37916846135907434782012-09-08T19:44:00.001-07:002012-09-08T19:44:17.997-07:00Fairy Tales, Wandering in the Woods, Writing a NovelI've been thinking a lot about fairy tales lately, mostly because I'm trying to write one, a fairy tale, something modern and ancient at the same time, inspired by Robert Graves and Neil Gaiman, John Crowley and C.J. Cherryh. There are rules, you know. Games and Riddles, balances struck, a tally of your misdeeds, a record of your mortal ignorance. An example of mortal ignorance: there are a million ways to write the word 'fairy', and all of them mean the realm of Fairy, and the individual creatures which are known as fairies, who live in the realm of Fairy. Oy. And in the first draft writing of this blog I've used many versions of the word. Which, you know, may be the right way to do it, since the realm and its citizens have been described as eternally changing and nearly impossible to catalog and comprehend. I'll do my best here to maintain the use of one version, the one spelled like this: F A I R Y.<br />
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I like rules and order, almost to the point where I'm crippled, unable to act. Which might make me a poor candidate for writing a fairy tale. Or not. Maybe I'm the just right person to do it. So far I can't make my main character, Finn Pomeroy, break any rules, so he's wandering through Fairy threadbare and practically shoeless. Ages pass him by while he's in there searching for something he can't remember losing--his son. Maybe he shouldn't have eaten those griggling apples.<br />
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What I mean is, I can't make Finn manipulate the rules to his advantage. The rules are like this: be tricky, be clever, take one apple from here but leave a surrogate, replace it with something no one will notice 'til it's too late and you're out of Fairy, who cares if the horse goes hungry? Bad doings with the fairies evolved into deals with the Devil. You know that, right? Don't make bargains with fairies. Don't eat their food or drink their wine, it'll trap you in Fairy forevermore. Don't take money or gold from them, it'll turn into useless piles of leaves, stones, or acorn caps. Don't get involved in Fairy wars or politics. Sometimes fairies like to recruit mortals into their ranks to add a bit of brute strength. Don't fall in love with a fairy. You'll wither away as it stays young eternally, or it'll have a hollow back, or an appetite for its lover, or it'll live underwater and not teach you how to breathe there. Terrible fate.<br />
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It goes like this: do this for me and I'll do this for you. But they don't tell you how your task will be impeded, compromised simply by agreeing to undertake it. You must deliver flowers to a beautiful woman and the fairies will make her love you. But your very gaze kills anything you look upon, including flowers, including the woman you love. Something like that, right? Or they turn you into a trout for fishing in their pool and your father hooks you and serves you up on a plate with fennel and potatoes and eats you with gusto, and every night for years your mother, who relished the trout dinner as well, leaves a candle lit in the window to aid your return, and wakes with worry and wonder, desperate in the middle of the night to know where you are, why you left and never came back.<br />
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Something leads you away from home. It's how all the stories start, isn't it? War, Love, Defamation of Character, simple Curiosity, Search for True Lineage. Something leads you into the woods, a flash of light, a white cat, or butterfly, or rabbit, or something more rare, a glimpse of some unidentifiable but rare creature, a beautiful man or woman, a sharp noise, or a cry for help. Something leads you beyond the barrier between home and not home. You push through a hedge, jump over a ditch or a creek, clamber through a baling wire fence, peek your head into a cavity chewed or clawed out of a massive tree, and you find yourself Elsewhere. There's a fox wearing a jeweled stag beetle as a crown, a cardinal that's half albino, under a woodpile behind your neighbor's house you know you'll find unusual insects that avoid gardens and porch lights, if only you could explore without getting caught.<br />
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Elsewhere, green and fresh, quiet as an empty church and foreign. You're alone in a clearing and the trees and the sky seem to keep their distance. You turn around and nothing seems right. Why didn't you keep track of yourself? Why didn't you make note of landmarks or walk in a straight line at least? At least then you could have just turned around and walked straight back home. Why did you eat those griggling apples? A few days ago my son and I were chasing a butterfly, a cabbage white, along the margin of a woodlot and I thought to myself, well, this is the beginning of a story. If we are pulled into the woods by this butterfly we enter Fairy. Silly, I know, but where else do stories begin? Where do they come from if not a place in the mind a lot like the margin of a wood lot, where you're chasing a butterfly?<br />
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I've wandered into woods, following a hawk's flight or a snake's silent glide through oak duff. I've strayed from paths, got lost and lost again, clambered out of the edge of a woodlot into the lawn next door to my childhood home , impossible to believe I could be disoriented so long so close to where I started. Once I found a pond, a deep one, with pine trees on the bottom still festooned with Christmas tinsel--cover for bluegills and other pan fish. I only found it once, I should have marked my way. I found a clothes drier in the middle of the woods. I found a clearing glittering with green glass, Rolling Rock bottles shattered against a cinder block. I watched a murder of crows hassle a barred owl 'til it exploded from an evergreen a mere arm's length away from me. Did I piss myself? Damn right I did, with sheer excitement and wonder. It's a rare privilege to be so close to spectacles and mysteries like these.<br />
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But I never saw a fairy in all that time, on all those adventures. I returned home safely after every excursion into the woods, and injury free, barring a few nettle stings or scraped hands. I often felt a great surge of something, disappointment, maybe, when I lurched through the undergrowth back into my yard, and everything was exactly as I left it, safe, slightly cluttered, and sometimes unmowed. Home in all it's common glory. I also frequently felt exhilarated after these long, solitary adventures in the woods. Fresh and ruddy, burr covered and sweaty, made new by this effort and exploration. Changed. But never abducted, never glamoured by a cow eyed fairy. It might be said that I was dazzled, though, that I didn't come out of the woods unscathed, because while I was there I was alone with my own mind, and stories rattling through it, and the names of trees and wild things blazing as I recognized them. Is there such a word as scathed? Because I was that, abraded by tree branches and wonder, altered, made new by curiosity and the magic of the stories I knew and the stories I made up.<br />
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There is a kind of magic in the world still. In books. In the woods. Even though it might not be a good idea to match wits with a fairy or eat their food, it is never, ever, a bad idea to let the world work its wonder on you. It's hard sometimes. But you can start by reading a really good story. I'll suggest a few for you: <u>Mythago Wood</u>, by Robert Holdstock, <u>Stardust</u>, by Neil Gaiman, <u>Little Big</u>, by John Crowley, <u>The Dreaming Tree</u>, by C.J. Cherryh, and <u>The Riddle Master of Hed</u>, by Patricia McKillop. God, yes, read her, and do it now. And then there are some surprisingly good magical realism stories that aren't exactly fairy tales but are tales full of wonder, like <u>Shoeless Joe</u>, by W.P. Kinsella, <u>Light Boxes</u>, by Shane Jones, and <u>In Watermelon Sugar</u>, by Richard Brautigan.<br />
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And try this, too. Get a nature guide and wander with it wide open, with one eye on the page and the other on the catalog of wonder before you. Learn the names of trees, butterflies, birds, flowers. Learn how to identify them. Then, when you drive, or walk in a park, or visit distant relatives, you can name them to yourself to pass the time, or share these words with young people and other uninitiated masses. You become the fairy, and your glamour opens eyes. This is real magic you're practicing. You'll never be the same. You'll be in a state of amazement for all time.<br />
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The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-29063062931477053782012-08-28T20:24:00.000-07:002013-08-22T22:28:02.511-07:00There Is So Much To Learn: The Michelle Williams InterviewHere is an interview I did with the gifted and lovely Michelle Williams. It was supposed to run in the First Anniversary issue of SPLAT, which is currently on hiatus. For the time being I'll be supporting the poetry interview aspect of the magazine with this blog. I had a few fun interviews in progress and will finish them here.<br />
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Please enjoy this interview, and please, share your opinions and impressions with me!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle Williams is a poet, mother, community organizer, advocate, and arts supporter. I first got to know her well when I read poems at a fundraiser she organized for No Kid Hungry, part of Share our Strength’s initiative to wipe out childhood hunger in the US. The event, called Poets/Artists Speak, featured poets, dancers, musicians and visual artists contributing time and talent to raise money for this important initiative and Michelle dreamed the whole thing up and kept it alive. There are plans in the works for another Poets/Artists Speak this June somewhere in Toledo. </span><br />
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</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle is an island of peace in a ocean of Toledo poetry personalities. She seems to have relationships with poets of all types, regardless of creed or point of view. Her poems, and her demeanor, are calm, reflective, open, serene, and sacred. The poet you will meet in this interview is concerned as much with meaningfulness as meaning, the blessings of life over the troubles of life, and the spacious intimacy of lyric poetry over the crowded verbosity of more modern, super-confessional and urban poetry.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you tell me what Vocal INKorporated is? Who started it and when?</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vocal INKorporated is my baby. I am the founder and head of the 'unofficial organization' as it is. Its birth was really just a natural progression of all that I was already invested in..bringing the art of poetry and spoken word to its fullest expression. A genuine attempt to bring the world of online poets to the world of 'real life' poets.
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The logo for V.I. is quite intentional. You will always see the "L" at the end of vocal overlapped by the "INK" to create a literal and figurative 'LINK'. Prior to its inception I had dedicated three years and a whole lot of late nights to building and nurturing poetry and spoken word online/worldwide with organizations like FlexWriters Creative Network (where I was the Vice President) and Poetry Over Music (I am a Senate Member) and it just felt 'right' to create my own quiet but persistent voice among it all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-indent: 48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are several creative facets to Vocal INK, including the live poetry, music and art events we hold and the online radio shows we run on our BlogTalkRadio network. 'Vocality' and 'Selections' are the shows I host, 'The Poetry Corner' is hosted by Melvin Johnson, 'The Foundation' by Larry Kuechlin and Susan Glover and we also have the honor of featuring Tshombe Sekou and his Freedom Verse Cafe in 'Freedom Verse Cafe Xpress'.</span><br />
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We are looking forward to Poets/Artists SPEAK II at Fat Fish Blue this summer which will be another fundraising event featuring poets and artists from all over the country to raise money and awareness for No Kid Hungry. Our most successful event was the previous summer at the historic Hines Blues Farm (Crossroads ~ Where the Art of Poetry and Blues Meet) which featured the award winning spoken word duo of Max Parthas and Tribal Raine and the legendary blues artist Billy Branch.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/vocalink" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/vocalink</a>, </span><a href="http://www.vocalinkorporated.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.vocalinkorporated.com</span></a><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who are the first poets you read as a young writer? Who were the influential voices? And who are you reading now?</span></b></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have so many poetic influences. It would take a page to fill. But if I had to list spontaneously I would say: Rumi, Merwin, Dickinson, Giovanni, Jane Hirshfield, Neruda, Kerouac, Sanchez..that list is eternal and always evolving. As are the influences and touches of my contemporaries. As corny as it sounds I am 'soul fed' by the poetic voices surrounding me in the live events and online forums. They inspire and challenge me to always dig deeper, reach for that necessarily elusive 'better than your best'. And they are profoundly talented.
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I have been writing since I was ten years old (journals, prose, short stories, the eternal novel in progress), but to my best recollection did not create my first poem until five years ago. I was outside raking and playing in the leaves with my youngest son and these words just came..cascading..demanding to be released..and I was caught. I cannot imagine a world or a day without poetry in it. I see and feel poetry everywhere now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a writing schedule you keep? Or do you write when you feel like it, when you're inspired by the moment, or when that sudden urge strikes you and you can't ignore it?</span></b><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have no writing schedule or discipline, but I always smile at that term ‘disciplined’ because in my view any individual who permits words in their head and heart to form upon the page is a disciplined writer. So for me, the words come and go as they want, as they should.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can you say about the mysterious urge to write? Where does it come from? And here's one for you that I've been thinking about lately: are poets born, or made? This is something we can talk about at length if you're willing.</span></b><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have very strong feelings about your question, and I am actually thrilled that you asked. I strongly contend that poets are simply born, not made. Anyone can write poetry. Some can write good poetry. A select few can create really great poetry. And then there are poets. And one need never, may never, write or utter a single line of poetry to be a poet. They just have this essence, this movement, this knowing and way of being in the world. I think there are many songwriters, musicians, painters, sculptors, teachers, doctors, steel workers..the list goes on and on who just have a different way of looking and being in the world. Everything they do, everything they are </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> poetry. You cannot teach that. But you feel it the moment you are in their presence.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd like to talk more about the 'presence' of a poet with you. How do you think someone comes by this presence, this way of being? Is it innate or is it learned from someone? Does it come from discipline? Annie Dillard is sort of my spiritual guru, and so something I read in one of her books is usually my point of reference for all things metaphysical. I remember reading in her book </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the Time Being</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> that the pain of work is the agony of inexperience leaving the body. Does a poet start as an apprentice to a master, and feel the pain of inexperience leave the body to make way for the presence of Poetry?</i></span></b><b id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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I do think a poet is something innate. As I mentioned before, one can certainly 'discipline' him/herself into writing good poetry, perhaps even great poetry by purely academic standards. But a poet just...is. Even if he/she never writes or breathes a single drop of poetry. Forgive my redundancy, but for me the 'label' or distinction of a poet is more about his/her way of 'being' in the world versus what they create.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;">And the best way I can think of to 'define' poetry (though I would humbly contend that by its very nature it is without definition) is to share one of my favorite quotes/reflections on poetry: </span></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">"After years of looking, I can only say that searching for small things worn by the deep is the art of poetry. But listening to what they say is the poem." </span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Nepo</span></span>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's been a sort of muttering debate in Toledo poetry circles between the "Street" poets and the "Academic" poets. The crux of the debate is challenging to put into words but it seems like an issue of degrees is at play. One side resents the education that puts poetry in a box, that give it stucture and form, and the other side seems to resent calling anything with a line break and a strident tone a poem. Of course I'm simplifying the argument a great deal, and there are fine poets in Toledo and elsewhere on both sides of the line. But what I'd like to know from you is how you define poetry. What is a poem? Beyond the words arrayed as they are on the page.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would also add that poetry is more than the lines on a page, whether their origins are from the 'street' or the university. I do understand the crux of the argument between the two sides you reference and honestly, like most things in life, the 'truth' is probably best uncovered in the middle. But even this debate is its own poetry.When you think about it, it's really all poetry,the exchange, the release and exhalation of things, just as Annie Dillard stated.</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-indent: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;">On a bit of a different path, I think I forgot to respond to another idea you mentioned in the initial email. You were talking about the impression of 'religious' and 'feminist' notions in my work and interactions if I recall correctly. I do understand where that impression would come from and I certainly would not deny nor discount the influences (I have a Bachelors in Theology and taught theology, morality/ethics and philosophy at St. John's and St. Ursula before making the decision to stay home with my youngest son). I do try to exist and create beyond those labels though, as I am much more in tune with the ideal that we are spiritual creatures at heart versus 'religious’, but even this notion is one I like to challenge within the words and expressions as they manifest, as I think there is so much more to what and who we are as creative, sensual beings and what we 'know' or think we know. I feel like I'm rambling here, but I hope it helped clarify the impression a bit.</span></span></span></span>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You're a runner, aren't you? I love to run, it clears my mind and body, it feels good, and it's usually a solid hour of quiet time where I can meditate and reflect on poems I've been working on. Is running part of your meditation as well? And do you find that the exercise helps you creatively? Many of our predecessor poets, Emerson and Whitman especially, extolled the virtues of walking and its impact on the creative mind. I'm inclined to agree.</i></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I am a runner. I am not a very fast one, but I endure. It has become essential for me as a woman and an artist. It is, as you say, a meditative thing. There have been several poems born of the sun, wind and pavement. We have to gift ourselves with the quiet. Sometimes, I think we fear it. Fear what it is going to say or draw us to, but it is where authenticity waits, and therefore, where our art waits as well.</span><br />
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<i style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your poems, as they appear on the page, seem breezy, open, there's a lot room for light and air to get in there. But then you read them and you see how taut they are, like drum heads, like closed eyelids. This brevity and tightness is something I have never managed in my own poetry. Can you tell me, us, about your writing process? Does the poem start so precisely or do you wander? Is there a lot of revision and editing? Are you that special writer who meets the page with a complete poem or is there a bit of a struggle between you and the poem?</i><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;">I cannot recall the exact quote but it is something like, "a poem is never finished, only abandoned"...</span></span></span></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;">This quote intrigues me, but I rarely encounter this. I would say that the poem actually finishes (with) me. I definitely feel like a conduit most of the time and I am very comfortable with this process. There are already so many illusions (maybe even allusions) of control we seek to hold in life but writing, creating should never be one of those. It is a flow and most of the time, we simply need to get out of the way and let it.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline;">I am not much of an editor. It is a rare thing for a poem of mine to be retouched. It breathes itself through me in the moment and rarely do I feel that moment needs to be revisited or altered in any way. I do not know about being a 'special writer' as you say, but the poem usually meets the page in completion. There is very little struggle. Every once in awhile I will step away from the piece to let the words simmer among their own but I am usually back to the page within moments.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And yes, brevity appears to be my master. I have attempted to create lengthier stanzas and sweeping prose, but it is not to be. The spaces and silences fill those stanzas of their own accord and volition. So, as long as those spaces are able to speak to others (as eloquently as you phrased it above) I am blessed, gifted, grateful.</span></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm in Nashville as I write this, visiting my fiancee’s family, and the whole drive down here I was reading poems and interviews with poets. And the question that comes up all the time, and the one I find hardest to answer, is why do you write poems? So, Michelle, why do you write poems? And consider, if you will, what poetry does for the reader, too. Is there a special transmission between poet and reader, or poem and reader?</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I am not certain I have an answer to your question, Michael. As I think I mentioned previously, the words quite literally came to me upon that fall breeze several years ago without predication. Someone blessed me with a beautiful compliment today in declaring that there is no one else who writes like me. The context of this compliment was in regards to my penchant for saying much with very little. I would like to think that anyone who exhales thoughts to page is doing so because there is something to be said in a method and manner that can only be expressed in and through him or her. Did I answer your question? Not sure!</span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you talk a little bit about No Kid Hungry? What is it, and how did you get involved with the charity?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">No Kid Hungry is a program run by Share Our Strength, which is a national organization committed to obliterating (not just addressing) childhood hunger in America. There is a date/year specific for this happening, but I cannot recall. Anyone can donate or pledge to this cause.</span></b><br />
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I became involved with it after watching an interview of Jeff Bridges, who spoke so passionately about this organization and its cause. I had been looking for an organization that we artists could contribute to locally and nationally and NoKidHungry just clicked for me. </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4238307678606361" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can learn more about <i>Share our Strength</i> here: </span><a href="http://strength.org/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://strength.org/</span></a></span></span></b></div>
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</span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I understand you have a new chapbook on its way into the world. What's it called? And can it be ordered?</span></span> </span></b><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">The upcoming chapbook has not been titled as John Burroughs and I are actually considering combining two collections into one, but I am thrilled...really very excited to announce that this collection will be published through Crisis Chronicles Press this summer. I will have details and ordering information listed on my wordpress blog as soon as they become available (</span><a href="http://www.mikkelle.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.mikkelle.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> )</span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talk a bit if you will about your full length collection, "Female". How did that book come about? The poems are elegant and full of movement and music. If possible, can you tell me how our readers might get a copy of this collection, please? </span></b><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I think I already sent you a link to my wordpress page dedicated to the book but I will include it again just in case for anyone looking for information. Anyone who wishes to purchase can do so via paypal and/or contacting me at </span><a href="mailto:wmikki@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wmikki@gmail.com</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I have opted not to list the book on any other sites for purchase as there is kind of an unofficial limited run of this particular collection. I have truly enjoyed the word of mouth and natural/organic way this book has found its way into the hands of others and would like it to continue that way with the remaining thirty or so books I have left in my possession. One can of course contact the publisher (</span><a href="http://www.alabasterandmercury.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.alabasterandmercury.com</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) but there are no current plans to run a second edition at this time. I treasure the poems and thoughts within </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Female</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but I have definitely progressed beyond the majority of those moments.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Another interesting note regarding, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Female</span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> however is that it is not nearly as autobiographical as most assume. There are poems specific that speak to the interior of me, but the vast majority of pieces are a collective of voices, influences and experiences. I have a tendency to employ a first or 'immediate' tense in my work because I like the breeding of intimacy and resonance it manifests. Sometimes that leads people to presumption.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">I understand what you mean by letting the poetry, the words of the poem come through you, as if they're already there, and maybe have always been there just waiting for you to say them. I believe that's a good way to look at the relationship between poem and poet. But at the same time, I wonder how you feel about what are considered technical considerations, like punctuation, line breaks, stanzas breaks, etc. Are those considerations built into the impulse to write the poem? I mean do they come with the poem as a whole package, or do you make considerations for them as you write? Or maybe words and rhythm come together for you? I'm curious. </span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">The technical considerations are a bit of a slippery slope for me. It is a very personal decision for me when it comes to my work, as I usually prefer to omit all punctuation because I feel it interferes with the rhythm and flow of my particular form of expression. The same can be said for stanzas, line breaks and virtually any other formal structure. However, this is not something I would advocate in general. </span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spacing, the pauses that are built into my poems are always quite intentional. They truly are their own poem. And they formulate simultaneously.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd like to know what you think is an important lesson you learned about poetry over the years. Do you know why you started writing? Do you know why you keep doing it? </span></b><br />
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What have I learned about/from poetry after all this time? That there is so much more to learn. Every day there is a new lesson. And I am so eager and willing to be taught for as long as poetry will have me.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u>calla</u><br />
<br />
i propped up the calla lily<br />
by the weight of its own<br />
<br />
branches<br />
<br />
claret & golden<br />
like butter<br />
melting slowly<br />
boldly<br />
<br />
just an arch<br />
upon the wind<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>chrysalis</u><br />
<br />
in chrysalis,<br />
we suspend<br />
<br />
perpetuality<br />
<br />
curving want<br />
with molten hands<br />
<br />
while the echoes<br />
barter<br />
for our hearing<br />
<br />
and life becomes<br />
an incidental necessity<br />
<br />
this vagueness of a stranger<br />
being<br />
<br />
as we entwine<br />
the beauty and the broken<br />
between the lines<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>threshold</u><br />
<br />
there is no unknowing<br />
<br />
..just the gale and thrust<br />
of wings<br />
<br />
..only the sun and moon<br />
crossing<br />
<br />
and us,<br />
barraging hope<br />
<br />
and we,<br />
as the threshold<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>as if (branches)</u><br />
<br />
i listen for the wind<br />
<br />
as if<br />
<br />
each breath<br />
were not already broken<br />
<br />
as if the scars and branches<br />
had not already gnarled<br />
themselves<br />
clean and through<br />
<br />
and i know enough of love<br />
to revere its drowning<br />
absolution<br />
<br />
<br />
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The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937207964131905371.post-27836139005494969632012-08-21T20:20:00.000-07:002012-08-30T20:20:23.369-07:00First post, SPLAT Art Magazine on hiatus, new poetry interviewsA little over a year ago, my friend Ryan Warner and I started collaborating on an 'underground' arts magazine called SPLAT. It's a great little labor of love/vanity project that we worked really hard on and are very proud of. But around May, which would have been the magazine's first anniversary, the labor aspect overtook the love aspect of putting together an new issue every couple of months. Ryan started looking for new jobs, my son turned two and went a little terrible on us, and so we found our obligations to daily life overwhelming our devotion to the magazine, and we went on hiatus. For the summer only, we're promising ourselves.<br />
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And I hope that's true because I loved working on a magazine. Most of my writing life I've made poems or written critical papers about poems and poets, so it was a refreshing change of pace to do some thing journalistic interviewing poets and organizing our conversation into cohesive, personal narratives about poetry, art, and life in general. In fact, I've been missing the thoughtful, creative conversations I had with Toledo's poets, and find myself thinking a lot about the poets I didn't get to talk to yet. So, while SPLAT is on its hopefully <i>brief</i> hiatus, I'm going to continue the interview series I started a little more than a year ago here, at this blog. I'll post links to old interview in previous issues SPLAT, and maybe catch up with a few poets I've already talked to. Maybe someone has a new chapbook or complete collection they'd like to promote, or maybe there's a new magazine accepting submissions. I'll try to make this a destination for poets and poetry lovers of all types. I'd like to also share book reviews, maybe some recipes, drawings, and maybe some "What I've been up to" journal type entries. We'll see how things play out. I hope you'll visit often.<br />
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In the meantime, I have an interview to post that was supposed to be, and still might be, in the latest issue of SPLAT, whenever it comes out, and I'm going to post that ASAP. I just have to work out some details with Ryan. While you're waiting, here's a link to the interview I did with Matt Sradeja: <a href="http://issuu.com/splatartmagazine/docs/splatartmagazine.nov.dec.2011">http://issuu.com/splatartmagazine/docs/splatartmagazine.nov.dec.2011</a>The Museum Docenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256821804375015563noreply@blogger.com0