Summer Storm
The Gods are throwing bowling balls, cracking fissures in the sky. Continue reading Summer Storm
Author: Charlotte Hamrick
Charlotte Hamrick’s creative writing and photographs have been published in a number of literary journals and anthologies. Her debut prose chapbook, Offset Melodies, is included in Grieving Hope (ELJ Editions), a collection of five microchaps. She is Managing Editor for Reckon Review.
Happy birthday, Lucille!
Lucille’s mother was a gifted poet with only an elementary school education. Her poetry was offered publication but Lucille’s father wouldn’t allow it and forced her to burn the poems in the fireplace. It’s said Lucille never forgot it and I’m sure it shaped much of her own poetry. About the incident, she wrote a poem called “fury”: “her hand is crying. / her hand is clutching / a sheaf of papers. / poems. / she gives them up. / they burn / jewels into jewels.” She was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for two separate books in the … Continue reading Happy birthday, Lucille!
13 Odd Questions
There’s a column in the weekend Wall Street Journal that I enjoy reading called “20 Odd Questions”. All sorts of people are quizzed, from actors to artists, athletes to writers, designers to scientists. It’s interesting to read the answers and, often, you learn something new or glean tips you can use yourself. I like to answer the questions from my pov so I thought it’d be fun to answer this week’s list and post it here. I eliminated some of the questions that didn’t apply and came up with 13 Odd Questions. My dream dinner party would include guests like: … Continue reading 13 Odd Questions
Power
And their voices rose pushing foggy ignorance into the atmosphere toward the stratosphere away past the stars the planets around white dwarfs through galaxies into the biggest blackest hole in the memory of everything that ever was or will be. That is the power of community. *** Written from the dVerse prompt “signs”. Continue reading Power
Inspiration Interlude: The Pretenders
“When you’re standing at the cross roads, And don’t know which path to choose, Let me come along, ’cause even if you’re wrong I’ll stand by you” ~ The Pretenders *** Magnolia photo by me. Continue reading Inspiration Interlude: The Pretenders
A Plastic Bag
A plastic bag in the wind is trash to some, beauty to others. Who’s to say what’s right or wrong? Desperate eyes see freedom in lift and airiness, a thing not of nature riding on nature’s wings, accepted without question, unencumbered by expectations, allowed to be its most spontaneous, creative self. A vessel to hold other things, it’s true, but filled with possibilities of what those things might be. *** Poem inspired by the plastic bag scene in the film American Beauty which I find achingly sad yet hopeful. Continue reading A Plastic Bag
Inspiration Interlude: Diane Ackerman
“There was nothing to do but wait. It is always like this for naturalists, and for poets–the long hours of travel and preparation, and then the longer hours of waiting. All for that one electric, pulse-revving vision when the universe suddenly declares itself.” ― Diane Ackerman, The Moon by Whale Light and Other Adventures Among Bats, Penguins, Crocodilians and Whales *** Image: the lagoon at Audubon Park, New Orleans / Photo by me Continue reading Inspiration Interlude: Diane Ackerman
Mistaken
The window unit hums. I lie on the bed, the coarse cotton spread chafing my bare legs. Unspoken words churn overhead, fueled by their own fury, but the air in my lungs is so still it’s nearly solid. Only the billowing curtain above the a/c shows signs of life. — Photo by me. Detail of home in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. Continue reading Mistaken
My Poem on Postcards: Support Small Presses!
Atomic Theory Micropress has printed up my poem “Bravado” on postcards, with art by Jon Butterworth, for purchase on their website. I am thrilled! It never occurred to me that it might be possible for my words to fly around the country (world?!) in this way. Proceeds from the postcards will help Atomic Theory finance the publication of their limited edition handsewn chapbooks. If you love poetry, small press, and/or the art of bookmaking, please consider purchasing a postcard or two. Support poets, support art, support small presses! Continue reading My Poem on Postcards: Support Small Presses!
Poetry Wonderment
One night in April I stumbled on the livestream of a poetry reading program on Twitter, put together by Maria Popova, named The Universe in Verse. For over an hour and a half I listened in wonderment to a clatch of beautiful poetry read by some wonderful writers. Now the program is available as a video which I’ve posted here along with the playlist. I loved the whole thing but especially the readings by Diane Ackerman and Tracy K Smith. I hope you’ll find some time to listen to at least some of the readings. It will inspire you, I … Continue reading Poetry Wonderment
