TODAY'S WORD

NEOLOGISM
n. a new word.

LITERACY

It is estimated that around 50 million people in this country are classified as illiterate. By illiterate it means that these people cannot read or write proficiently to the acceptible norms to function in society. It doesn't mean that the people are lazy, unintelligent, or lack creativity. It's quite the opposite. I taught literacy to adults for five years. Many of them are creative, have skills, have drive and determination. They are overcomers in that they have carved out a decent life despite these deficiencies.

You may be asking what does literacy have to do with writing? Plenty. Just because people cannot read or write does not mean that they don't have a story to tell. Every one has one. I remember tutoring a young lady several years ago. She expressed her dislike for writing. I brought her to a bookstore and purchased a couple of books for her to read. I advised her to write something about what she read. In time, this young lady wrote some beautiful and heartfelt poetry.

I encouraged my students to keep a journal to record their feelings, thoughts, concerns, and triumphs. I saw some feel more at ease with themselves afterwards. I am studying to become a teacher. One of my concerns is that many young people are losing the love for the written word and reading. Many are computer savvy, know how to text message, and google. However, the knowledge and mastery of the English language is being lost. I maintain to the mind retains much from the written word than from technology such as the computer and texting. I'm NOT against technology; just that the art of writing is being lost.

In summary, there are many illiterate men and women who need to be encouraged to learn to read and write. How many stories and legacies could be kept in written form if these dear people could write it themselves. This is not something to be taken lightly.

Words, Readings, and other Doings

Friday 9/26

FRIDAY NIGHT SLAM
@Nuyorican Poets Cafe
236 E. 3rd St. (bet. B&C) www.nuyorican.org

$10
SUBWAY: 6 to Astor Place
F to Second Avenue
R to 8th Street
4/5 to 14th Street
L to First Avenue


Saturday 9/27

SEGUE SERIES
2 featured poets
@ BOWERY POETRYCLUB
308 Bowery @ Bleeker/Houston
$6 www.bowerypoetry.com

SUBWAY: F to 2nd Avenue
6 to Bleeker


Sunday 9/28

CORNELIA STREET CAFE
29 Cornelia Street (W.4th/Bleeker)
212-989-9319 www.corneliastreetcafe.com

3 featured poets

SUBWAYS: A/C/D/E/F/V/B to W. 4th
1 to Christopher Street-Sheridan Sq.

Monday 9/29

WORDS FROM THE BARRIO OPEN
Weekly spoken word and musical open mike presentation*

Hosted by Bobby Gonzalez

CARLITO'S CAFE Y GALERIA
1701 Lexington Avenue (106/107th)
$5. (no one turned away)
212-534-7168

WORDS OF WISDOM

Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

-Kahlil Gibran, Poet (1883-1931)

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe-Commentary

I became interested in Johan Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) when I read some of his famous quotes. I have posted a few in the past on this site. I looked up his bio on the internet and I find him to be an independent and complex man. Goethe had a wide variety of interests which may be a reason that I did research on him.

Goethe was a playwright, author, alchemist, lawyer, novelist, politician. He was a driven man whose thirst for knowledge bordered on obsession, in my opinion. Goethe wrote a number of plays which often dealt with events that happened in his life. In his poetic drama FAUST, the main character was interested in alchemy which he was also. Goethe's first play, The Lover's Caprice (1767) was inspired from an unhappy love affair.

I've never read any of Goethe's works, just his quotes. I am fascinated by his interests and contributions to literature and art. It's odd that he wasn't interested in Renaissance art but he was in a sense a Renaissance man. Perhaps, Goethe's life is a lesson to us that we have talents laden within us that are waiting to be tapped and mined. It is probably the reason why I am fascinated with this creative and intense man. Like Goethe, I have a number of interests. Like him, I have the intense desire for knowledge and discovery. I leave you with a word from the play Divine:

Noble be man,

Helpful and good!

For that alone

Sets him apart

From every other creature

On earth.

-The Divine, 1783

Bookstore Kickoff Party

Bookstore Kickoff Party

Tues. 9/16- 7-9pm

Cumberland Greene (237 between Lafayette and Dekalb)

Engage in discussion and meet Brooklyn authors. Food, drink, and a good time guaranteed


Directions: Subway

A/C to Lafayette
G to Fulton

WORDS OF WISDOM

A JOURNAL IS TO A WRITER AS A SKETCH PAD IS TO AN ARTIST.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Upcoming Events

The Poetry Project will resume their active reading season starting September 22nd. See the website below for more details.


www.poetryproject.com

COMMENT

September is upon us. It's back to school for some of us. To others it is the unofficial end of fun and sun. To those of us who write for a living or for enjoyment, there is never a vacation. I look at summer as a time to gather ideas and information in regard to where I want to travel as a writer.

I reread some of my writings from several years ago. It revealed my depths of darkness as I struggled with personal issues. I always encouraged my adult literacy students to write what and how they feel when life seems to want to stop them from achieveing their goals. Wen I read some of their comments I was intrigued by the depths of their innermost feelings. This was something that I struggled to obtain as a writer. When I read my past work I discovered my own despair. I poured out everything within my soul on paper. I had achieved what I wanted.
I only found out this year.

In yesterday's blog I mentioned that the sight of St. Mark's Church took me back to the days of my young manhood. Here it is nearly forty years later that I finally understand what it is to put your soul into writing believeable stories. I was always afraid of opening up my true feelings to others. It was something that I feared but now I must reveal what I have inside because it may impact someone's life. Helping others is something I have decided to dedicate the rest of my life with.

Being a multigendered person, writing has taken on a new dimension. I have to tell a story from this perspective. To use a voice that is not my own does a disservice to my readers and to myself.

Church that Reminds Me of My Young Manhood

I was in the courtyard of St. Marks Church in the Bowery (l.) a few days ago. This venerable building has been the seen of much social activism. There are still church services held here but there is also the social events which has kept this church alve. One of those events is the Poetry Project. From September to June there readings, book signings, recitals, workshops, and debuts of writers from many genres. I haven't been to any of these yet but I have a day in September penciled in.

I mentioned that I was at the church a few days ago. It reminded me of the social activism of the 160's and 1970's. I was in my twenties and while not actively involved, I read some of the articles and newspapers ( I call them ragsheets). Today I look upon those writings as to my being educated about issues not covered by the mainstream media. Today I am a volunteer in a grassroot organization looking to create an independent media that voices the concerns of the poor and working class. A new concept, no. Is it one that is possible to achieve, yes.

What I remember about those days is that people wrote what was on their minds and wrote it with passion and conviction. They wrote without fear of being censored or shut out because they were not politically correct (two words I detest). I may not have always agreed with what they were saying but I listened. As writers, we need to speak our minds and convey our thoughts and ideas to a public that is seeking knowledge and meaning in this homogenized world.

One project I have is to attend reading, writing, and poetry events because I want to see if the fire from the socially-conscious sixties and seventies is being revived.

WORDS OF WISDOM

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.

-Amos Bronson Alcott, American educator (1799-1888)

Literary Festival

SATURDAY AUGUST 23 @ 3PM

4TH ANNUAL FORT GREENE SUMMER LITERARY FESTIVAL

FEATURING YOUNG WRITERS (AGES 7-18) FROM NY WRITER'S COALITION

FORT GREENE PARK-enter @ Dekalb Avenue or Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park


EVENT IS FREE!

WORDS OF WISDOM

Some of the greatest works have been written
when the person was at their lowest point in life.

WORDS OF WISDOM

A poet can survive everything but a misprint.

-Oscar Wilde, Irish dramatist (1854-1900)

POEM

Another path to cross,
A hand gently nudges me forward.
There's more to see
there's more experience to be gained
The journey continues
and I'm not exhausted.

-Genevieve

The Lighthouse

There are periods in history that I enjoy reading about. The middle ages, the western frontier, and the seacoast are a few examples.

One of my favorite structures is the lighthouse. It conjures up times when the lighthouse's beacon may have saved hundreds of sea faring vessels from a watery grave. It also gave light to those seeking direction. It could be a ship figuring out how close it is to a rock jetty. To me, the lighthouse is a metaphor for someone who seeks guidance and direction. Life has its stormy seas and what a person seeks is relief and respite.

When creating a short story I use this analogy with the character I use. The character discovers resources within themselves that may have been dormant in their lives. When all seems forboding and lost, a beacon of light radiates the inner darkness. A path is shown and the character is able to continue on.

Lighthouses aren't the only objects I enjoy. Castles conjure up mystery behind the many doors and passageways. Trains remind me that there are places to be seen hundred of miles away. The western frontier has me thinking of cowboys, Indians, settlers, and untamed lands. Being part Native American, I take it from their point of view.

I don't discard any of these objects or experiences because they can be fodder for future ideas. Don't throw anyway that unwanted toy, fur coat, or battered rattan suitcase. There just may be hundreds of tales held in those objects.

Thomas Merton

This is the book I am curently reading. I have been reading his books and have found a kindred spirit in the late monk and poet. When I finish the book I will comment on it.

POEM

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow;
Don't walk behind me'
I may not lead;
walk beside me,
and just be my friend.

-Albert Camus

QUOTE

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

TODAY'S WORD

INDIGENOUS

Native to a particular region.

Characteristic of and originating in a particular region or country.