SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

CLAREMONT- New Hampshire, California

DOVER- Delaware, New Hampshire

MINOT- Maine, North Dakota

PORTSMOUTH- New Hampshire, Ohio 

RANDOLPH- Massachusetts, New Jersey

WARWICK- New York, Rhode Island 

WORDS OF WISDOM

Dancing is the poetry of the foot.


~John Dryden, Poet (1631-1700)

GETTING BACK IN GROOVE

I haven't written much lately because I'm battling some physical issues. Feeling much better than I have in a few weeks.  

DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

Next week, November 8th, will be the annual documentary festival at the IFC Center on Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street in Greenwich Village. Tickets are on sale now. 

WORDS OF WISDOM

What can a pencil do for all of us? Amazing things. It can write transcendent poetry, uplifting music, or life-changing equations; it can sketch the future, give life to untold beauty, and communicate the full-force of our love and aspirations.


Adam Braun

SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

FALMOUTH- Maine, Massachusetts

MANSFIELD- Ohio, Texas

BEDFORD- Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio

RIDGEFIELD- Connecticut, New Jersey

SOME UNIQUE UNKNOWN AUTHORS

I'm still working on the obscure author series. Have some interesting men and women in my research. It's hard to choose which writers to feature because they are all creative and unique in some cases. I have two or three authors thst I will post in the coming days.

RECOVERING

Been down a couple of days with high blood pressure. Feel better today. Taking it slow until pressure is stable.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Memory...is the diary that we all carry about with us.


~Oscar Wilde, Dramatist (1854-1900)

POEMS

Here are a couple of poems from a dark period in my life.



ABYSS

"It can't get any worse!" I scream.
I'm not at rock bottom,
I'm looking up at it!
It's cold and dark in this black hole.

I pray but my tongue cleaves to the inside of my mouth
Fear paralyzes me
There's nothing to stop me
From falling into this bottomless abyss.





You left everything behind
Family, friends, job, possessions
All things familiar are bundled up
and tossed in the scrap heap
You move to a distant place
Living as a hermit
Choosing a life of celibacy
Poverty over luxury
Ugliness is better than beauty
Silence is your sanctuary
You knew that this day would come, 
Disappearing in the sea of life
Where no one knows you.



Poems by Genevieve

DOWN TIMES

Writing during the down times can be like trying to climb a mountain when you're really tired. Writing when life seems blah can be difficult, but it has been done. Sylvia Plath wrote her best poetry during the last six months of her life in the the throws of oncoming depression. Robert Lowell construct masterpieces while battling mental illness and alcoholism. One may not be in such a state but down periods are real.

I believe some of my most potent poems came during a time when I struggled with gender issues (I'll post a couple of them in my next post). I had never been to depths so low as during those weeks. Writing helped me keep my sanity. Eventually I was saved from a dark abyss. 

There a times when assessment is needed in our lives. It can come at some unexpected times. Looking back, I am happy that I went through difficult times. It makes me appreciate life more.

WRITE EVERY DAY

I carry a pen and pad with me all the time. I make a point to write something every day. I am disappointed when I have an idea or see something and don't write it down. An idea lost.

NEWFEST FILM FESTIVAL COMING SOON

In just two weeks the 30th annual Newfest Film Festival will open up. I hope to see two or three of these features. Tickets  are on sale NOW!   

Go to www.newfest.org for further information.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.


~Samuel Johnson, Author (1709-1784 

SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

WATERTOWN- Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Wisconsin

AMES- Iowa, Texas

ROSEVILLE- California, Minnesota

BARGAIN

Purchased these two books at Strands Bookstore from the dollar rack.

AEON BOOKSTORE

Today I stopped by this new bookstore in Chinatown. Aeon opened up only a month ago. The store is spacious, with books of all genres on tables, display cases and shelves.  

The strong smell of a cleaning agent permeates the air, as work is still being done in the spacious back room. The potential of open mics, readings, and performances is in the future. I spoke to one of the co-owners (I neglected to ask his name. My bad) wishing him luck on the new venture.

SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

JAMESTOWN- New York, Rhode Island, Virginia

BROOKLYN- Connecticut, New York

SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

CANTON- Connecticut, New York, Ohio

WORDS OF WISDOM

Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.


Thomas Gray, Poet (1716-1771)

POETRY ON CHANGING CITY SCENE

Last night I wrote a couple of poems about the gentrification of New York City. Old haunts are vanishing. New chain outlets are replacing mom and pop stores. The soul of the various communities have been taken away.

I generally do not totally focus on any one particular area. However this is more personal because more people are affected by all the new developments popping up everywhere. I have more poems on mind that woll be written about the loss of community and the places that shaped me as a person.