The sky opens up, a wet cut spilling it’s warm fluid. Inside, I watch the windows fog over, tracing absent hearts with melancholy fingertips. ***** Shared on dVerse Poets Pub, an online space where poets share their work and support each other. Today’s prompt: the dog days of summer. Continue reading Thunderstorming
Patient., by Bettina Judd, and published by Black Lawrence Press, is a poetic historical account of the experiences of black women as subjects at the hands of male gynecologists. The poems tell the stories of Henrietta Lacks, Anarcha Wescott, Saartjie Baartman, and others who were “patients” of J. Marion Sims (creator of the speculum) and others as well as subjects of P.T. Barnum. Ms Judd’s own experiences at a teaching hospital adds a contemporary voice to the heretofore unheard voices of black women who historically suffered under the banner of medical treatment. Having worked for many years in the medical … Continue reading Review: Patient. by Bettina Judd
I’ve written many poems about my mother in the past few years but they’re all about her time in ICU before she died in 2012. It was a sorrowful, stressful time and I tend to write more when I’m melancholy. I was looking through them to find one to post today for Mothers Day but they’re all sad except for this one. It’s short (my preferred form) but it refers to a basic truth that I only recognized after her death. Dowser You were the divining rod of my life long before I even knew you, when I was … Continue reading Mamma and Granny
You are the fierceness, the center. You are energy and truth, shade at high noon, laughter and rebellion, peace hidden in a secret glade. You are the juiciness of a ripe plum, the wonderous nuclei, the mitochondria of my existence. You. Are. Continue reading 39 (you are)
Peggy Sue April has come and gone and nothing about it turned out as I’d planned. I had to drop out of PoMoSco because life got in the way. Real life, nuts and bolts and shit happens life. But I did get in a few poems and I think with some editing I’ll have some decent work out of it. I didn’t even start a poetry online course I’d signed up for, which makes me sad, but at least I did read some good poetry in between all the running around I did before falling into bed each night, usually well … Continue reading Hot Reads and Peggy Sue
she was astonished to have written seven poems, thanks to PoMoSco. I wrote about my trepidation earlier on joining this project but I needn’t have worried. It’s proving to be a good boost for my creativity plus I’ve “met” some nice people and talented poets. I’ve written about everything from unicorns to the hurricane. Here’s my page, if you care to check it out. The only down side is that I have less time to read my usual sites and blogs but don’t think I’ve forgotten you, bloggers and writers! I’ll be back to visiting and commenting regularly next month. … Continue reading And on the seventh day…
I Big thanks to Barry Basden and Camroc Press Review for publishing four of my poems. I’m honored to be a part of this respected journal, especially since this is the last year CPR will be in publication. Please do go over there and enjoy the fine work in it’s pages while you can! The photo is of the courtyard at Tableau. I spent yesterday afternoon in the French Quarter with my friend, Sandy, where we attended the one-woman play “The Waltz by Dorothy Parker” and meandered around taking photos. It was a great day with beautiful, balmy, sunny weather … Continue reading New Poetry in CPR
This heart holds an old ache, a sliver of half-forgotten love, not to be shared but kept close to the bone. Continue reading (Almost) Midnight Meditation
Yep. I’ve signed on it, virtually speaking. And now I’m getting the jitters and doubts and semi-regrets because, as much as it pains me to say it, I’m not a joiner. But recently I’ve agreed to do several things, join things, show up, participate, chime in, stretch. The closer the start time gets, the more I think about pulling out and so I’m trying really hard to convince myself that I can do these things, that I just have to organize and structure my time effectively. April 1 is the beginning of National Poetry Month (NaPoMo) and I’ve signed up … Continue reading The Dotted Line
It’s a gorgeous day in New Orleans – feels like Spring! I’m thinking about going to the river and snapping some photos but, honestly, I’m feeling quite content puttering around the house and yard and doing some online reading. I have a few links to share today of good reading I’ve done lately: a couple of Flash pieces, a few poems, and some blogs new to me that piqued my interest. Enjoy! First , the blogs: Leaf and Twig is a blog that combines two of my favorite things: poetry and photography. What could be more perfect? The poetry is original and … Continue reading Hot Reads
