Poems in a way are spells against death. They are milestones, to see where you were then from where you are now. To perpetuate your feelings, to establish them. If you have in any way touched the central heart of mankind's feelings, you'll survive.
~Richard Eberhart
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
TODAY'S WORD
WIMPLE, n.
A cloth covering worn over the head and around the neck and chin by women esp. in the late medieval period and by some nuns.
A cloth covering worn over the head and around the neck and chin by women esp. in the late medieval period and by some nuns.
POEM
Empty Terminal
The corridor is empty
All the shops are closed.
I slowly pirouette on the slick waxed floor
There are no crowds rushing everywhere.
The race which began many miles ago
Has finished at this deserted terminal.
My sojourn has brought me back to the starting line again.
I walked out, my sandals slapping my soles the only sound.
The corridor is empty
All the shops are closed.
I slowly pirouette on the slick waxed floor
There are no crowds rushing everywhere.
The race which began many miles ago
Has finished at this deserted terminal.
My sojourn has brought me back to the starting line again.
I walked out, my sandals slapping my soles the only sound.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
WORDS OF WISDOM
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
~Benjamin Franklin
~Benjamin Franklin
Dance Performance
Photo: Courtney Krantz
Moriah Evans in collaboration with Alan Calpe
Another Performance
February 21-23, 2013Thursday-Saturday at 8:00PM
$18 ($12 members)
Choreographer Moriah Evans makes dances to confront questions about performance, gender, and to be in negotiation with
Evans first evening-length work investigates the relation between a “thing” animated into performance and a “body” performing actions. Evans and visual artist Alan Calpe share and interrelate their disciplinary practices in order to probe the force of history, things and materials on bodies as well as the force of the individual person onto things, materials and history
www.danspaceproject.org
RESEARCHING ABOUT A PLACE
Any type of research can be tedious but it's essential to writing. For example if you want to write a novel set in sixteenth century France, much search into that society's customs and people is needed. Accuracy is what's most important because if the audience picks up on a falsehood, it will diminish your work.
I find research interesting because I learn so much about a particular place. It emcompasses customs, people, entertainment, cuisine, and other elements of that society. I moved to my present neighborhood a couple of years ago. I discovered that it was once a Jewish enclave. I also learned that racoons, deer, and Native Americans once lived here before colonization. The stories here are endless.
Castles are one of my favorites structures. I'm researching about one of them because I wish to write a short story set in one. I am also fascinated with the city of New Orleans. I wanted to visit there prior to Katrina and still wish to do so. I have read about some of the city's unique history. I have to try some of their gumbo when I visit there. Probably the best research is interactiing with the folks that live there. Interviews aren't out of the question.
Research is important to any story or essay. Accuracy is of importance if article or story is to have merit and authenticity. Look at research as being a part of your education experience. Life is like that. You think you've seen it all then, one day, you see something new. If you can visit the place being researched, all the better. Listening to the people who live there share their stories can prove invaluable.
I find research interesting because I learn so much about a particular place. It emcompasses customs, people, entertainment, cuisine, and other elements of that society. I moved to my present neighborhood a couple of years ago. I discovered that it was once a Jewish enclave. I also learned that racoons, deer, and Native Americans once lived here before colonization. The stories here are endless.
Castles are one of my favorites structures. I'm researching about one of them because I wish to write a short story set in one. I am also fascinated with the city of New Orleans. I wanted to visit there prior to Katrina and still wish to do so. I have read about some of the city's unique history. I have to try some of their gumbo when I visit there. Probably the best research is interactiing with the folks that live there. Interviews aren't out of the question.
Research is important to any story or essay. Accuracy is of importance if article or story is to have merit and authenticity. Look at research as being a part of your education experience. Life is like that. You think you've seen it all then, one day, you see something new. If you can visit the place being researched, all the better. Listening to the people who live there share their stories can prove invaluable.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
WORDS OF WISDOM
Any knowledge that doesn't lead to new questions quickly dies out:it fails to maintain the temperature required for sustaining life.
~Wislawa Szymborska, Polish Poet (1923-2012)
~Wislawa Szymborska, Polish Poet (1923-2012)
Researching About An Author
I realize now that doing research on a particular author can be mindboggling. It's not so much that you can't understand their work as it is to try get into the mind of the person.
When I first read Sylvia Plath's poetry, it was as if I was from another planet. The metaphors she used in her work were other worldly and mystical. When I read Plath's biography, I gained a much better understanding of her and her work. I learned about how depression ran in her genealogy. I read about her suicide attempts and her constant perfectionist tendencies which made her very self critical.
Research isn't something that you do for a short time for an end of the semester term paper. It takes time, diligence, and perseverance to at least gain a proper perspective about the subject. I find that one needs to leave personal biases out of it because it can cloud one's mind.
I have an affinity for obscure authors. They can be the most challenging to research. While Herman Melville wasn't obscure any any stretch, I see him as an author who did not write in the prevaling ways of his times. A vastly underappreciated writer, he is most remembered for his classic Moby Dick. However he wrote other notable novels such as Typee, Billy Budd, and Bartleby and Benito Cereno. Melville was also an accomplished poet. I recently discovered the work of Delmore Schwartz., a brilliant and troubled writer. I read a book of his poems and Screeno, a book of poems and short stories.
I do not criticise other people's writing because someone else may like it. I had a dislike for Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath's husband, who left her for another woman. After awhile I said that this is wrong attitude for me to have then let it go. There may come a time when I'll research on Mr. Hughes. Having an open mind and heart can open my eyes to aspects of the person that would not see if I festered this dislike in my heart.
The first thing involving research is to have an open mind and heart. You may not like the person but that should not be reflected in the essay or report you are to write. You may also discovery something about the person that you may not have known previously. If others read and unbiased and accurate article it can do more for them-and you-in the process.
When I first read Sylvia Plath's poetry, it was as if I was from another planet. The metaphors she used in her work were other worldly and mystical. When I read Plath's biography, I gained a much better understanding of her and her work. I learned about how depression ran in her genealogy. I read about her suicide attempts and her constant perfectionist tendencies which made her very self critical.
Research isn't something that you do for a short time for an end of the semester term paper. It takes time, diligence, and perseverance to at least gain a proper perspective about the subject. I find that one needs to leave personal biases out of it because it can cloud one's mind.
I have an affinity for obscure authors. They can be the most challenging to research. While Herman Melville wasn't obscure any any stretch, I see him as an author who did not write in the prevaling ways of his times. A vastly underappreciated writer, he is most remembered for his classic Moby Dick. However he wrote other notable novels such as Typee, Billy Budd, and Bartleby and Benito Cereno. Melville was also an accomplished poet. I recently discovered the work of Delmore Schwartz., a brilliant and troubled writer. I read a book of his poems and Screeno, a book of poems and short stories.
I do not criticise other people's writing because someone else may like it. I had a dislike for Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath's husband, who left her for another woman. After awhile I said that this is wrong attitude for me to have then let it go. There may come a time when I'll research on Mr. Hughes. Having an open mind and heart can open my eyes to aspects of the person that would not see if I festered this dislike in my heart.
The first thing involving research is to have an open mind and heart. You may not like the person but that should not be reflected in the essay or report you are to write. You may also discovery something about the person that you may not have known previously. If others read and unbiased and accurate article it can do more for them-and you-in the process.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
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I came to Poets House nearly two years ago. As a poet and writer, I found this such a place where connoisseurs of the written word can read, write, take part in a workshop, lecture, and attend a reading or recital. I was mesmerized by the chapbook section, of which I'm particularly interested. The other day, I read several chapbooks which vary in style and taste. One in particular had the author's own drawings besides his poems. These authors aren't famous or known, but I sense their love of the written word.
There is virtually every poet's work house here. There are the works of authors from other countries also. There is poetry written by LGBTQ authors too. I was very happy about this. If you are ever in the area, be sure to stop by.
www.poetshouse.org
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
WORDS OF WISDOM
A writer should get as much education as possible, but just going to school is not enough; if it were, all owners of doctorates would be inspired writers.
~Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet
~Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet
Friday, February 01, 2013
DANCE
Douglas Dunn & Dancers
Cassations
February 7-9, 2013Thursday-Saturday at 8:00PM
$18 ($12 members)
For more information see www.danspaceproject.org
Poetry Magazine
About two years ago, my wife and I stumbled upon a used bookstore in downtown Brooklyn. We thumbed through some books that were quite old. On the way, we looked through a box of old magazine. I pick a softcover book called Poetry Magazine. We read poetry of local and regional poets. There were soe beatiful poems in the little magazine. Posted below is the website in to which you can find out more information.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/
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