AGAINST BIG OIL Poetry Reading in San Francisco Friday, August 27

A message about the Gulf Coast disaster from Michael Rothenberg, editor of Big Bridge

Dear Friends of Big Bridge,

My apologies for writing you all on issues that are not related to Big Bridge. But we have come to a moment in our existence as a species in which "propriety" is less and less meaningful.

As you all know Big Bridge has always been vocal on political and social issues and so the time has come for us to speak out against OIL!

Many of our friends living in the Gulf Coast are seeing their lives destroyed forever. An entire ecosystem appears doomed. The impact is global.

Everyday it seems more certain that we are witnessing the worst man-made environmental holocaust in history and I feel we must be heroic in our actions to make something positive out of this horror.

Over the last few weeks, I have focused attention to my facebook communications, posting as many articles and pieces of information on the "spill" as I can, hoping that the spread of information will make a difference in how we do things. I have organized three events, fundraising benefits for The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, http://www.labucketbrigade.org/ , a non profit environmental health and justice organization tracking the impact of the BP oil spill and prevaenting the impact from being "swept under the rug." Two events in Petaluma, June 27(poetry and music fest) and July 10th (an art auction), and another event in Pacifica, CA (poetry and music and art auction) on August 7. For details please contact me.

It is time to make a real change. Not just leave it to government to show us the way. Please, get out in the street, wave signs, write friends, spread the word, organize!! We are into a new age. Stop Oil! Stop Global Warming! Stop Corporate Ownership of the Planet! There is no time left to waste.

If you have news that you want to get around please send it to me or join me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/michael.rothenberg. If we are not "friends" yet, I would be happy to add you. Again forgive me for using Big Bridge mailing list to send this message but I could not hold back.

My sincere best in these sad and terrifying times. Hope lies in real change not in promises!

Yours,
Michael Rothenberg
Big Bridge, http://www.bigbridge.org/

Christopher Luna interviews David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg for Rain Taxi

Please enjoy "Frenzied Sweetness," my newly published interview

with poets David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg:

http://www.raintaxi.com/online/2010spring/rothenberg-meltzer.shtml

Hotter than Hades

The final installment of our spring Online Edition includes interviews with fiction writer and memoirist Kevin Sampsell and poetic collaborators Michael Rothenberg and David Meltzer. Also, of course, new reviews aplenty, featuring poetry by K. Silem Mohammad, fiction by Rikki Ducornet, a study of what’s “cool,” the latest incarnation of Batman and Robin, and more! Happy reading and stay tuned for the summer 2010 print edition of Rain Taxi Review of Books, coming soon! Go to raintaxi.com and start reading!

BIG BRIDGE ISSUE 14, 2.0 NOW AVAILABLE

From Michael Rothenberg:

photo by Terri Carrion

ANNOUNCING BIG BRIDGE ISSUE 14, 2.0

TWO GREAT FEATURES

I. ROCKPILE on the road, www.bigbridge.org/rockpile

Blogs, photos, videos from David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion and friends documenting a two month on the road adventure of collaboration. Meet The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Burnett Thompson, Marty Ehrlich, Bob Malone, Joseph Cunliffe, Gregory Davis, Roger Lewis, Jarmal Watson, Julius McKee, Larry Sawyer, Jacob Eckert, Ellen Miller, Dave Black, Dan McNaughton and The Spider Trio, Michael Stephans, Lindsey Horner, Bill Zavatsky, Johnny Lee Schell, John B. Williams, Bill Zavatsky, Joe Sublett, David Henderson, Theo Saunders, John B. Williams, Debra Dobkin, The Thunderbird Poetry Orkestra, Wanda Phipps, Isabel Rivero, Dan Godston, Suzi Winson, The Gershwin Hotel, Murat Nemat-Nejat, Ammiel Alcalay, Jim Feast, Harris Schiff, Christa Hillhouse, Jason Braun, John Roche, Dan Godston, Ammiel Alcalay, Jim Christy, Robert Priest, The Rabbles, Marina Lazzara, J.Lee, Dave Mairs, Jamie Kimmel, Charlie Huisken, Sarah Browning, Carlo Parcelli, Brian Gilmore, Jay Jackson, Carl Atkins, Michael Kelleher, Jerry Hill, Mic Boshans, David A.N. Jackson, Jason Braun, Michael Castro, Shirley LeFlore, Marc Singer, K. Curtis Lyle, Alexander Balogh, Sean Arnold, Niagara Falls, Howard Schwartz, Philip Gounis, Dreamland Barbecue, Francesco Levato, Art Lange, Joe Wetteroth, Brian Pardo, Tim Keenan, Tom Hibbard, Geoffrey Gatza, Bill Lavender, Lewis Schmidt, George Kimball, Joan Delott, Avi Frishman, Kelly Bucheger, Randy Cauthen, Evan Christopher, John Werick, Doug Dreishpoon, Nicki Gonzalez, Richard Miller, Don West, Laura Mattingly, Dennis Fomento, Danny Kerwick, Renee Baker, Satya Gummuluri, Jimmy Bennington, Kenneth Rexroth, Thelonius Monk, Louis Armstrong and a cast of thousands.

II. BIG BRIDGE NEW ORLEANS ANTHOLOGY

STURM UND DRANG

http://www.bigbridge.org/BB14/NO1.HTM

Edited by Dave Brinks and Bill Lavender

OLD SCHOOL POETS AND POETRICS:

Ralph Adamo, Katya Apekina/David Weinberg, Bill Berkson, Edmund Berrigan, Joseph Bienvenu, Louis Braquet, Dave Brinks, Lee Ann Brown, Paul Chasse, Andrei Codrescu and Ruxandra Ceseranu, Richard Collins, Jack Collom and Maureen Owen, Thaddeus Conti, Jonathan Cott, Joel Dailey, Andy di Michele, Margot Douaihy, Johnette Downing, Brad Elliot, Lenny Emmanuel, Brett Evans, Vincent Farnsworth, Gina Ferrara, Karen Finnigan, Skip Fox, Jackqueline Frost, Elizabeth Garcia, John Gery, Kelly Gartman, Philip Good, Nancy Harris, Khaled Hegazzi, Anselm Hollo, R. Moose Jackson, Kevin Johnson, Phil Johnson, Jamey Jones, Pierre Joris, Rodger Kamenetz, Herbert Kearny, Daniel Kerwick, Jonathan Kline, Bill Lavender, Hank Lazer, Benjamin Lowenkron, Ben Luton, Jenna Mae, Laura Mattingly, Bernadette Mayer, Lee Meitzen Grue, Bill Myers, James Nolan, Biljana Obradovic, Amy Ouzzonian, Arthur Pfister, Valentine Pierce, Quess, Chuck Perkins, Jimmy Ross, Jerome Rothenberg, David Rowe, Eero Ruutitila, Edward Sanders, Frank Sherlock, Harris Schiff, Harris Schiff, Lewis Schmidt, Jean-Mark Sens, Christopher Shipman, John Sinclair, Hal Sirowitz, Jennifer Stewart, Stuart Strum, Chris Sullivan, Eric Sweet, Quo Vadis Gex-Breaux, Larbaud Valery Translations, Gordon Walmsley, Jerry W. Ward Jr., Kelcy Wilburn, Andy Young, and Bill Zavatsky

ARTIST’S WORKS:

Bill Berkson and Molly Springfield, Louis Braquet, Dave Brinks, Mina Brinks, Megan Burns and Dave Brinks, Jamie Chiarello, Thaddeus Conti, Michael Fedor, Daniel Finnigan, Alex Haverfield, Pat Kaschalk, Herbert Kearney, Jonathan Kline, Bill Lavender, with Terrance Sanders, Joseph Makkos, and Chandler Fritz, Joseph Makkos, John Sohr, Joshua Walsh, William Warren, Miriam Waterman, Kristen Wetterhahan, Romano Zamprioli

ESSAYS AND DISCOURSE:

Max Cafard: Deep Play in the City, Surre(gion)al Explorations and Lisa Suarez: Playing Chicken with Reality

FICTIONISTAS:

Katya Apekina, Summer Brenner; Jonathan Cott; Moira Crone, Marci Davis, Susan Kirby-Smith, Dave Parker, J. Patrick Travis

INTERVIEWS:

Dave Brinks with Peter Anderson, John Sinclair, Bill Zavatsky; Ogoanah with Niyi Osundare

BOOK REVIEWS:

William Allegrezza's Review of I of the Storm, by Bill Lavender; Reginald Martin's Review of The Katrina Papers, by Jerry W. Ward Jr.; Adam Peltz's Review of The Caveat Onus, by Dave Brinks; Megan Sanders: On What Cannot Be Written; Responses to Edward Sanders' Poems for New Orleans; Megan Sanders: The Messiness of Life; Skip Fox's For To (Blazevox, 2008)

AND A WHOLE LOT MORE!!

Long Live New Orleans!!!

*********************************

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Helping to sustain renewable, arboreal ecosystems while celebrating the written word

Mary Sands Woodbury, guest editor and webmaster of Big Bridge, editor of Jack Magazine and Beat Generation News, recently launched Moon Willow Press, a small, independent press with a green initiative. MWP also offers inexpensive editorial services for more than just books

POETRY E-NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2009

Folks,


Let me begin by thanking Neeli Cherkovski for sharing his poetry and his wisdom with us October 29 and 30. I am happy to report that Neeli was received warmly by poets on both sides of the river. I really enjoyed his talk entitled “Bukowski, the Beats, and Other Rebellions” and hope to write more about the visit at a later date. I would also like to thank Mel for allowing us to hold the events at Cover to Cover Books, and Eileen Elliott for opening her home to Neeli and his partner, Jesse, while they were here. I could not pull off these events without the generous help of members of the community like these.
Congratulations to Herb Stokes, whose poem “Feeding Dolphins” won 1st Place in the OSPA Fall Poetry Contest in the category: New Poets / Dueling Judges by Judge A and 3rd Place in the category: New Poets / Dueling Judges by Judge B.
If you’d like to read the latest column I wrote for Sage Cohen’s “Writing the Life Poetic” E-Zine, go to:

http://writingthelifepoetic.typepad.com/writing_the_life_poetic/2009/11/the-poetics-of-community-finding-a-poetic-soulmate.html

If you’d like to read the previous columns, go to:

http://writingthelifepoetic.typepad.com/writing_the_life_poetic/the-poetics-of-community/

Please take look at “With Words and Song: An Interview with John Trudell” by Christopher Luna from the Fall 2009 Online Edition of Rain Taxi Review of Books: http://www.raintaxi.com/online/2009fall/trudell.shtml

Not convinced that poetry and music can work together? Check out recent posts from the Rockpile tour featuring David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg at http://www.bigbridge.org/rockpile/

As we continue to bring poetry to Vancouver, WA please email me with your ideas for how to make this town safe for poetry, art, and music. I am very encouraged by the presence of great galleries like Angst and Lincoln’s Gallery (see item 1 below), and events such as Dada ’09. Come out creatives, and show us what you’re made of!

Of course, don’t forget to join us for this month’s open mic reading at Cover to cover Books:

Open Mic Poetry
hosted by Christopher Luna
7:00pm Thursday, November 12, 2009
& every second Thursday
Cover to Cover Books
1817 Main Street, Vancouver
McLoughlin Blvd. & Main Street


“always all ages and uncensored”

For more info call 514-0358 or 910-1066
christopherjluna@gmail.com
http://christopherluna-poetry.blogspot.com/

With our featured reader, Melissa Beal:

Melissa Beal, MD is the author of In Her Eyes. Having survived sexual abuse as a child, a traumatic near-death fall, alcohol abuse, and most recently, ovarian cancer, Melissa has been through more in her 54 years than most will in a lifetime. Her work is an account of human frailty, psychological demise, and transforming that pain through poetry.
Melissa lives in Salem, Oregon. She retired from 18 years of service at Pacific Pathology Associates, Inc. in December 2008 to pursue writing. Written over the course of a year during her chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, In Her Eyes is Melissa Beal's first book of poetry.

Rock on,
Christopher Luna

POETRY E-NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2009

1. Lincoln’s Gallery and Lincoln’s Beard: New Art and Music for Vancouver

2. Matt Meighan’s "Songwriting as Truth-telling" workshop at Artichoke Music (Portland) begins Tuesday, Nov. 10/Matt Meighan plays at a house concert Nov. 15

3. Charles Potts on Blog Talk Radio talking about his new book “Inside Idaho”

4. Voice Catcher 4 Readings Nov. 11 and 16 featuring Naomi Fast, Constance Hall, Toni Partington, Paulann Petersen and others

5. Sage Cohen’s “Writing the Life Poetic” excerpted in “Writer's Digest Guide to Creativity”

6. Judith Arcana’s schedule of readings for November

7. New NW Poetry Calendar by Debi Stone

8. “How to Increase Consumption of Poetry by Non-Poets." Poetry Panel in San Rafael, CA Nov. 16

9. Poetry Foundation Launches Online Poetry Learning Lab

10. Applications are being accepted for Artist Trust’s 2010 EDGE Professional Development Program for Writers (Deadline Dec. 7)

11. SUBMISSION CALLS/FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


1.

Lincoln’s Gallery recently opened in Vancouver at 108 Main Street. It is definitely one of the coolest places in the ‘Couve: www.lincolnsbeard.com. If you’d like to exhibit your art there, send an email to lincolnsgallerymail@gmail.com

Lincoln's Beard is a great band that plays every Thursday from 7:30 – 10:30 at the Brickhouse located at 15th and Main Street in Vancouver (www.vancouverbrickhouse.com)

Other shows:

(art) December 3 First Friday Lincoln's Gallery Artist TBA
(Music) December 12 White Eagle Time TBA
(Music) January 23 Pop Culture Main Street Vancouver Time TBA


2.
Hi,
Since January I've been teaching a workshop called "Songwriting as Truth-telling" at Artichoke Music, and have been been having a great time with it. A lot of wonderful songs have been written by students during the course. The next set of classes starts this Tuesday (Nov 10), and I have room for a couple more students in my afternoon class.

We'll meet for six weeks this time (instead of the usual eight, due to the holidays) - Tuesdays from 11/10 through 12/22, with no class on 11/24, from 3 - 5:30 pm at my home in North Portland. It's a great chance to lean into your songwriting and share new songs with a small group of other songwriters (classes are limited to 8 people). A class description appears below and is also on the Artichoke Music web site. There is also an evening class, but it is full for November.

If you're interested in attending this time, have any questions, or would like to receive emails about future classes and one-day workshops, please let me know.

Thanks,
Matt

Songwriting as Truth-telling - Taught by Matt Meighan

Begins November 10

This class will explore songwriting as a means to uncover and express deeply-felt truths of the songwriter. We'll look at aspects of songwriting craft, but our main focus will be on the songwriting process itself. What makes a song feel 'true'? How does the songwriter invite and listen for truths that want to be told, then stay true to the song's heart even while using craft to shape it into a work of art?

We'll draw inspiration and guidance from great songwriters and poets, but most of all from the collective wisdom and experience of class participants. We'll write in class and between classes, share our songs, and explore ways of listening and responding that help draw out the writer's intention rather than impose the listener's. We'll create an inspiring, non-judgmental and fun space in which to deepen our songwriting practice.

As poet William Stafford wrote, "There is a knack about writing; that knack apparently comes to the individual through performing the act of writing and the act of considering writings. The aim is to induce a kind of jog through literature and its settings. It's a group project, the class; and if we can work it right the riches of the group will provide for us all."

The class is most suited for those already writing songs, but all levels are welcome. To register or if you have any questions, please contact Matt Meighan at matt@mattmeighan.com

Hi,

I'm writing to let you know about a show I'm greatly looking forward to: Kate Mann and I will present a house concert next Sunday (Nov 15) at 4 pm. Kate is one of my favorite songwriters and performers, and I relish the prospect of sharing the stage with her.

The show will be at McLundy's Green Room, a lovely, intimate listening room attached to Suzan Lundy's house in Brightwood, Oregon. McLundy's is a great community music venue and well worth getting to know. It's about an hour drive from Portland -- 12 miles past Sandy on the Mt Hood Highway.

Seating is limited so reservations are strongly encouraged, at mclundy2008@verizon.net. The attached poster has details. If you don't already know Kate, you can learn more about her at http://www.katemann.com or http://www.myspace.com/katemann.

I hope to see you there!

Matt

http://www.mattmeighan.com
http://www.myspace.com/mattmeighan


3.

From Charles Potts order@thetemplebookstore.com

Dear friends, family and poetry lovers,

Charles Potts has a new book of poems from West End Press in Albuquerque, Inside Idaho, which contains selections from 100 Years in Idaho and Lost River Mountain, although 2/3rds of the book is published for the first time. The beautiful red cover features a photograph CP took of Leatherman Pass in 2005 from high in the west fork of the Pahsimeroi River in Idaho on his way back down from climbing Leatherman Peak.

http://www.thetemplebookstore.com/inside.html

will take you directly to the website where the book is easily obtainable by pay pal or send $18 to the PO Box 1773 below. We don't do credit card purchases anymore.

Happy Trails,
Charles Potts
capotts@thetemplebookstore.com


The Temple Bookstore.com
PO Box 1773
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Charles Potts was interviewed by Rafael Alvarado of Blog Talk Radio on Sunday the 8th of November. Subject was the new book, Inside Idaho, from West End Press.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword/2009/11/08/The-MoE-Green-Poetry-Dissicusion-with-Rafael-FJ-Alvarado

4.

Join the VoiceCatcher 4
publication celebrations

November 11, Barnes & Noble Lloyd Center

November 16, Powell's Books on Hawthorne

VoiceCatcher 4, an anthology of Portland women's writing, is here!

VoiceCatcher exists because a collective of women -- editors, authors, artists, poets and teachers -- who love to read and write wanted to collect the voices of local women and offer them to the community.

Featuring new and emerging writers of diverse perspectives, voices, ages, orientation and experience, VoiceCatcher offers a panoramic view of literary life in Portland through the poetry and prose of more than 40 local women writers.

Join us in celebrating the publication of VoiceCatcher's fourth edition and hear a magnificent line-up of this year's authors reading selections of their work at two events this month!

Mark your calendars and come prepared to be thoroughly entertained.

Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble Lloyd Center
As part of the Poetry and Prose for the People reading series, hosted by Sage Cohen and Tomas Mattox
1317 Lloyd Center // Gift section
Portland, OR 97232
503-249-0800

Featured readers:

Favor Ellis
Naomi Fast
Heidi Schulman Greenwald
Constance Hall (pen name: M)
Christi Krug
Toni Partington
Wendy Willis
Monday, November 16, 7:00 p.m.
Powell's on Hawthorne
3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-3802

Featured readers:

Paulann Petersen
Abby Mims
Liz Prato
Carolyn Moore
Nancy Flynn
Kaitlyn Burch
Penelope Scambly Schott

5.

From Sage Cohen

Some of my favorite prompts from *Writing the Life Poetic* have been excerpted in the *Writer's Digest Guide to Creativity* magazine, available in bookstores and on newsstands now!

This magazine features four, chock-full writing-boosting sections: Creative Habits, Creative Craft, Creative Business and Creativity Workbook -- all designed to get ideas flowing, words on the page and published work into the world!

You'll hear from leading thinkers, writers and teachers about the craft and business of writing -- including my mentor, platform guru Christina Katz, author of *Get Known Before the Book Deal.*

For just $5.99, you can give your creative practice a back-to-school shot of adrenaline by tapping into a wealth of wisdom from a range of genres.

Happy writing, poets! May the muse (and the moose) be with you.

6.

From Judith Arcana jarcana@earthlink.net
November 9, 2009 at 7pm at The Waypost, 3120 N. Williams in Portland

I'll be reading with Charles F. Thielman, Laura LeHew and Patrick Cahill, presenting work in the new Uphook Press anthology: you say. say. Editors Ice and Jane Ormerod will be here from New York. I haven't met these people yet, but I know this: the book is well done and they are serious about poetry-as-performance. for more info: http://www.uphookpress.com/events/events.htm

November 10, 2009 at 7pm at DIVA Gallery, 110 West Broadway in Eugene (note change in venue for this one)

SAME AS ABOVE - Uphook reading

. for more info: http://www.uphookpress.com/events/events.htm

November 11, 2009 at 6:30pm at DIVA Gallery, 110 West Broadway in Eugene

Screening of documentary film Jane: An Abortion Service + I'll be there with the excellent folks from Oregon's Network for Reproductive Options [NRO] talking about the embattled status of reproductive justice in the USA.

Refreshments served ..... $5 suggested donation ...... for more info: http://www.nroptions.org/aboutus.php

+ NOTES:

* the other Eugene gigs this month, at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College, are not open to the public.

* SAVE THIS DATE FOR GRACE PALEY'S BIRTHDAY, 2009!

December 11th at Broadway Books in Portland: Gina Ochsner & BT Shaw are featured readers; ja is mc ..... more info later

*All info is (or soon will be) on the EVENTS page: http://juditharcana.com/index.php/arc/events/

* Reply to those who've asked me about BLOGGING: I'm using my OP-ED page for that sort of thing (opinions on a variety of topics); blogging could happen, but not soon - for now, check out http://juditharcana.com/index.php/arc/op-ed/

For a good time, visit http://www.juditharcana.com/

7.

New calendar to promote poetry readings, events, workshops, and open mics; and to help increase public awareness of poetry activities in our communities. If you would like your event placed on the calendar, please email name of poet(s) or event, date, time, venue with address, and contact email or phone. If you would like to help spread the world, please consider forwarding the link in your emails, or adding it to your poetry-related web pages. The poetry calendar covers Oregon and Washington. This is a new calendar, in development. Please send information to be included.

NW Poetry Event Calendar

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=lrlr2401farljira5ifnelors0%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles

If you have questions, feel free to contact me:

Deb Stone
debbiestone@bctonline.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/iwritedeb?ref=profile

8.

From madgalen@sonic.net
Date Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Subject Monday Nov 16th Poetry Panel Seeks Your Insights

Dear Friends,

I am emailing to let you know that on Monday, Nov 16th, at Cafe

Arrivederci, San Rafael, I will be participating on a panel on "How to

Increase Consumption of Poetry by Non-Poets." The panel is hosted by MC

Angar Mora, and will also include Beth Ullrich, Marlene Weinstein, and

Shawn Pittard. We would love to have you join us and enter this important

discussion which concerns us all. There is $7.00 CASH cover charge which

will be applied to a 25% discount on food and beverages. The food is

excellent and inexpensive. If you plan on eating, it is best to join us at

or not too much later than 5:30 or 6 pm. The panel itself will convene at

7. There will also be an open mic (generally, limited to several minutes

each reader). If you are interested, please contact host Angar Mora at

415-492-8870. Cafe Arriverderci is located at 11 G Street in San Rafael.
Poetically Yours,
David Madgalene
9.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2009

Poetry Foundation Launches Online Poetry Learning Lab

New educational, media-rich poetry experience for teachers and students
CHICAGO — The Poetry Foundation invites teachers and students to tap into its new online resource, the Poetry Learning Lab. Hosted on www.poetryfoundation.org, the Poetry Learning Lab is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about poetry.

A dynamic resource for teachers, students, and learners of every age, the Poetry Learning Lab has been developed by the Poetry Foundation in conjunction with a team of education experts—including writing and literature teachers, librarians, and poets—to provide an immersive educational experience with poetry. By allowing students to experiment with different ways of reading poems—as text, sound, and visual artifacts—the Learning Lab provides readers of all levels with the opportunity to practice close reading and listening skills and to think broadly and analytically about poetry and poetics.

An extension of the Poetry Foundation’s comprehensive website, which includes an archive of more than 600 poets and 8,000 poems, the Poetry Learning Lab’s multimedia educational resources include annotations, reading guides, audio and video recordings, discussion questions, writing ideas, teaching tips, and podcasts. The diverse learning approaches incorporated within the tools provide students and teachers with endless ways to approach poetry, and ensure that individual learning styles are met. These features are offered in connection with 10 selected poems:

Louise Bogan’s “A Tale”
Robert Browning’s “Fra Lippo Lippi”
Lucille Clifton’s “won’t you celebrate with me”
Emily Dickinson’s “I started Early - Took my Dog”
John Donne’s “The Sun Rising”
Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “The Windhover”
Yusef Komunyakaa’s “Facing It”
Sylvia Plath’s “Fever 103°”
Walt Whitman’s “A Passage to India”
William Carlos Williams’s “To a Poor Old Woman”

Also serving as a one-stop portal for reference materials, the Poetry Learning Lab is replete with engaging articles about poets and poetry, bibliographies, a thorough glossary of literary terms, and a large selection of poetics essays and manifestos ranging from Plato to today.

Catherine Halley, editor of www.poetryfoundation.org, says, “The Poetry Learning Lab takes something Robert Frost once said as a point of departure: ‘Poetry begins in delight and ends in wisdom.’ The Lab encourages students to attend to individual poems with a focus that’s rare on the Internet—and at the same time provides teachers and instructors with a unique range of supplementary material useful in teaching poetry, from a glossary of poetic terms, to a series of historic poetics manifestos, to a variety of pedagogical essays.”

The positive response from students across the country to Poetry Out Loud, a partnership of the NEA and the Poetry Foundation that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization and performance, suggests that readers of all levels are interested in the opportunity to enjoy poetry and learn more about their literary heritage. The Poetry Learning Lab builds on and fosters this interest in poetry by facilitating an interactive learning process that allows readers to discover for themselves the pleasures of engaging with difficult and precise language.

Teachers, students, and all users can also discover Harriet, the Poetry Foundation’s blog, where poetry teacher John S. O’Connor guest-blogs about the joys of teaching and studying poetry.

The Poetry Foundation will host a booth in the Exhibit Hall at the annual National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) convention in Philadelphia, November 19 to 22, 2009. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide more information. For more information on the conference, visit www.ncte.org/annual.

For more information on the Poetry Foundation’s Poetry Learning Lab, please visit www.poetryfoundation.org/learninglab.

10.

For Immediate Release October 13, 2009

Contact: Nirmala Singh-Brinkman, EDGE Program Coordinatornirmala@artisttrust.org, 206/467-8734 x20; toll free 1/866/218-7878

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR

THE ARTIST TRUST EDGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR WRITERS 2010

Application Deadline: December 7, 2009

Literary artists who reside in Washington State are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2010 EDGE Professional Development Program for Writers.

The EDGE Program provides artists with a comprehensive survey of professional practices through a hands-on, interactive curriculum that includes instruction by professionals in the field, as well as specialized presentations, panel discussions and assignments. The EDGE Program focuses on supplying artists with the relevant and necessary entrepreneurial skills to achieve their personal career goals and with the opportunity to develop peer support and exchange.

The EDGE Program for Writers is open to emerging or mid-career writers of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. Applicants must be residents of Washington State but cannot be students enrolled in a graduate- or undergraduate-degree program. Applicants must commit to completing the entire 50-hour program.

Artist Trust will offer the EDGE Program for Writers from February 12 to March 26, 2010. Tuition is $400 per participant and includes a one-year Artist Trust membership. Limited financial assistance is available.

EDGE Applications and Guidelines are available at the Artist Trust office, on the website (www.artisttrust.org/pro_resources/edge), or by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to: EDGE Application, Artist Trust, 1835 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-2437.

Completed applications may be mailed to the address above or hand-delivered to Artist Trust, located on the corner of 12th Avenue and East Denny Way in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, by 5:00pm on December 7, 2009. Mailed applications must have a US Postal Service postmark dated on or before December 7, 2009.

The EDGE Program for Writers is made possible by generous funding from Amazon.com.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Artist Trust offers professional development workshops around the state: How To Build a Strong Grant Application; Moving Forward: Resources for Artists; and I Am An Artist. The I Am An Artist Workshop offers essential resources, funding opportunities, peer-to-peer evaluation, networking and hands-on feedback. For dates and locations of these and other workshops, visit http://www.artisttrust.org/events/view.

For more information, contact Miguel Guillen, Artist Resources Manager at miguel@artisttrust.org or 206/467-8734 x 11 or toll free 866/218-7878.

Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to support and encourage individual artists working in all disciplines in order to enrich community life throughout Washington State. Find out more at www.artisttrust.org.

I have several publishers interested in the three projects listed below. It’s enormously difficult and time-consuming to process email submissions, so unless you live outside the U.S, please send all submissions via USPS along with an SASE to June Cotner, PO Box 2765, Poulsbo, WA 98370

SUBMISSION CALLS/FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

EARTH BLESSINGS: PRAYERS, POEMS, AND PROSE FOR CREATING A GREENER EARTH Preliminary chapters include: 1) Nature & the Environment; 2) Honoring the Earth; 3) Healing the Earth; 4) Cycles of Life; 5) Love, Kindness & Compassion; 6) Living Simply; 7) Our Children; 8) Honoring Animals; 9) Spirituality, Prayers & Blessings; 10) World & Community; 11) Joy, Praise & Gratitude; 12) Reflections; and 14) Inspiration. I particularly need submissions for chapters printed in bold. For desired spiritual tone, refer to my book, Looking for God in All the Right Places or the previous version of this book, Heal Your Soul, Heal the World. “Green publishing” is popular right now and focuses primarily on the nuts and bolts of how to improve the environment. In contrast, EARTH BLESSINGS is a spiritual book that will reflect upon the beauty of the earth and remind all of us to cherish the earth. Two publishers have expressed interest in EARTH BLESSINGS.Submission date closes November 10, 2009


WISDOM OF WOMEN: THOUGHTS AND POEMS FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR LIFE (Previously titled Girls Night Out and A Woman's Book of Poetry for the Soul) Over the past decade I’ve received wonderful submissions from female writers that never quite fit the particular theme of my general "inspirational books." These are poems and prose about womanhood, stages of life, memories, and everything in between. I would love to add a few more high-quality selections--poetry or prose. Unlike most of my other anthologies, there are no prayers in the book, but there is a chapter on Spirituality. The content of WISDOM OF WOMEN is much "edgier" than my other books. Chapters include: 1) The Strength of Us; 2) Relationships; 3) Motherhood; 4) Ordinary Life; 5) Self-Image and Beauty; 6) Aging Gracefully; 7) Heartache and Healing; 8) Joy and Gratitude; 9) Friendships; 10) Shared Experiences; 11) Spirituality; 12) Reflections; and 13) Inspiration. I particularly need submissions for chapters printed in bold. The submissions should not have an "I am woman, hear me roar" tone, but more "this is my experience as a woman." The collection will be for women to turn to when they need encouragement, understanding, inspiration, and to reflect upon the great blessings of being a woman. This book easily spans two generations and is geared to women in their late 20s to early 60s and possibly beyond. Submission date closes March 31, 2010.

GOOD DOG! BAD DOG! FUNNY DOG! A compilation of "funny dog" stories. Two publishers have expressed interest in this project. The word limit ranges from 180 to 600 words. My goal is to create a book as humorous as Marley and Me by John Grogan. Please put "FUNNY DOG STORY" on the lower left-hand corner of your envelope. Submission date is open.

I have several publishers interested in the three projects. It’s enormously difficult and time-consuming to process email submissions, so unless you live outside the U.S, please send all submissions via USPS along with an SASE to June Cotner, PO Box 2765, Poulsbo, WA 98370

Please feel free to forward this call to other writer friends and groups. Also, please visit www.junecotner.com for additional calls for submissions.

Winter Fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA

For the last forty years, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA, has
run the largest and longest residency Fellowship in the United States for
emerging visual artists and writers. Artists who have not had significant
recognition for their work and writers who have not yet published a book
with significant distribution are welcome to apply. Fellows receive a seven
month stay (October 1-May 1) at the Work Center and a $650 monthly stipend.
Fellows do not pay or work in exchange for their fellowships in any way.
Fellows are chosen based on the strength and promise of their work. Former
Visual Arts Fellows include Ellen Gallagher, Jack Pierson, Lisa Yuskavage,
Angela Dufresne, Geoffrey Chadsey, and Lamar Peterson. Former Writing
Fellows have won every major national award in writing including the
National Book Award and six Pulitzer Prizes. The list of former Fellows
includes Denis Johnson, Louise Glück, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Yusef Komunyakaa.

The postmark deadline for the 2010-11 Writing Fellowships is December 1, 2009.

2010-2011 Visual Arts Fellowship applicants may apply online beginning

December 1, 2009. Online submissions must be received by midnight February

1, 2010. FAWC will accept slide applications for one more year. Applicants

submitting slides, must have their applications postmarked by February 1,

2010.

For details, please visit:
http://www.fawc.org/fellowships/

Rockpile Tour Hits New Orleans October 23-25

New Orleans is the 3rd stop on the ROCKPILE tour!


Friday, October 23, 7-12pm: ROCKPILE Workshop and Poetry and Music Open Mic Jam Session

An open conversation with David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion, and Bill Lavender... “Poetry & Music & the Troubadour Tradition, Art, Activism, Collaboration & the Source of Creation.” followed by an open mic jam session of poetry and music. Refreshments

Bob’s Studio
3027 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA
Admission Free
Sun, October 25th ROCKPILE PERFORMANCE: New Orleans

David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg and Blodie with members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band including Gregory Davis (trumpet), Roger Lewis (bari sax), Terence Higgins (drums), Julius McKee (sousaphone), Jacob Eckert (guitar)

Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
(504) 827-5858 or (504) 352-1150
http://www.zeitgeistinc.net/
8pm-10pm

all events are by donation - $7 general / $6 students & seniors / $5 Zeitgeist members /Patrons & Children 15 and under free (unless otherwise indicated).


ROCKPILE is a collaboration between David Meltzer, legendary poet, musician, and essayist, and Michael Rothenberg, poet, songwriter and editor of Big Bridge Press. In the tradition of the troubadour and with the spirit of improvisation and collaboration, the poets will journey through eight U.S. cities and perform poetry, composed on the road, in a spontaneous fusion, with local musicians in each city.


Log on to www.bigbridge.org/rockpile for tour dates & daily blog updates with video and more!

BAY AREA ARTISTS SING OUT (BAASO) Revving ROCKPILE by Jean Bartlett (Jean's Magazines, September 2009)

Please take a look at Jean Bartlett's profile of Terri Carrion, Michael Rothenberg, David Meltzer, and the Rockpile tour:

http://www.jeansmagazines.org/JeansG/Rockpile/Rockpile.htm

I am very grateful to Jean for the articles she wrote about our readings in California this summer, which also featured the Rockpile gang:

http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica-entertainment/ci_13202015
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13247848?source=email&nclick_check=1

CALIFORNIA TOUR WRAP-UP/ SEPTEMBER POETRY E-NEWSLETTER

Above: David Meltzer and the Rabbles at Shelldance

Christopher Luna at Shelldance

More photos below and to the right.

Poets and supporters of poetry, I must begin with a big thank you to David Madgalene for organizing three great poetry events in Northern California. The Shelldance festival (Sat. August 29th) was incredible: several hours of music and poetry in an absolutely gorgeous setting. The Shelldance Orchid Gardens are incredible: http://www.shelldance.com. Many thanks to Nancy Victoria Davis and Cosmos for being such gracious hosts. I enjoyed seeing old friends like fellow Kerouac School alum Natascha Bruckner, and hearing great work from people I had not heard such as Jennifer Barone (http://www.thewordparty.com) and Jym Marks.

Here is a link to some of the pictures that Jennifer Barone took of the event (http://picasaweb.google.com/baronejenn/ShelldancePoetryReading82909#).

Toni, Eileen, and I all delivered good sets accompanied by Steve Shain, an excellent bass player (http://www.morningstarplay.com/SteveS_bio.htm). It was exciting to watch my friends step things up for a new audience. I had the privilege of introducing San Francisco poet Neeli Cherkovski, who read an excellent piece about being 64. Then my co-emcee and partner-in-crime David Madgalene stunned us with the tale of an enthusiastic Stevie Ray Vaughan fan and a mini-musical romance based on true events that took place in Chinatown, accompanied by Judy Irwin on keyboards. One of the reasons I have loved David since I first saw him read at Naropa in 1997 is that he is willing to try things that others simply do not possess the courage to pull off. His performances are hilarious and astounding. He continues to thrill and surprise me. Then came the main event—a preview of the upcoming Rockpile tour (see item 6 below or go to www.bigbridge.org/rockpile/). First Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion, and the Rabbles (http://web.mac.com/jason_a_lee/iWeb/therabbles.com/Rabylon.html), a great experimental rock band, blew us away with an epic, joyful, and varied piece which elicited whoops of approval from the audience. Next, David Meltzer (http://www.meltzerville.com) and the Rabbles brought it home, with an improvised blues and a transcendent poem about Lester Young, Bird, and jazz that left me uplifted and weeping. I must tell you what a gift Meltzer is. Despite some health issues, he stayed for the entire program, which lasted more than six hours. I have never performed for a more engaged and focused audience member. When you look out to see David Meltzer smiling back at you, nodding, you know he’s with you, and you realize that you have never read poetry to anyone who possesses his level of attention. Meltzer is also an incredibly charming, generous, and supportive man, whose willingness to encourage writers is touching. Take a look at the Rockpile tour schedule below (Item 6), and forward it on to friends you may have in the cities Meltzer and Rothenberg are visiting. Madgalene and Rothenberg are planning to make this an annual event, so stay tuned. Many thanks to Jean Bartlett, a freelancer for the San Jose Mercury News, who wrote two pieces on the event. I spoke to Jean briefly at Shelldance, and she is very supportive of what we were trying to do: http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica-entertainment/ci_13202015 http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13247848?source=email&nclick_check=1 On Sunday (Aug. 30th) we read round-robin style with about twenty people from all over the area on and beneath the bridge in Guerneville, a beautiful town on the Russian River that is the strangest mix of open homosexuality and slightly threatening street rat culture. Yet the two groups seem to co-exist. We had some interesting reactions to our street poetry, but most people just walked on by, enjoying the weather. Although we were our own audience (with a few exceptions), we had a great time sharing poems dealing with subjects including America, loss, bridges, and rock and roll. The final reading (Monday night Aug. 31st) of our tour was at Café Greco in San Francisco’s North Beach, just up the street from City Lights Bookstore. Before the reading, we hung with Neeli outside Café Trieste, where we chatted with local poets including Jack Hirschman. I also said hello to the experimental filmmaker Dominic Angerame (www.cinemod.net) who, like me, knew Stan Brakhage. The reading at Café Greco is part of an ongoing series hosted by Phillip Hackett (http://philiphackett.wordpress.com/). David, Judy, Eileen, Toni, and I all nailed it again, and enjoyed well-delivered poems from Mark Eckert, Mark Kockinos, and Neeli Cherkovski, who later emailed to express his appreciation for our “wild and wondrous and loving crew.” Neeli and I are working on bringing him to Vancouver in October. Toni and I also had the pleasure of meeting poet Ed Coletti. Please take a look at his blogs (item 5) and post your comments. All in all, it was a great weekend. We made many new friends, and were very happy with how our work was received. I am very grateful to David Madgalene for all his hard work organizing these events, and for making the three of us from Vancouver feel welcome. ********************* Please stop by Angst Gallery (http://www.angstgallery.com/) on Main Street in Vancouver to see “Words,” a show celebrating collaborations between poets, songwriters, musicians, and painters. I have some collaborative pieces with Harry Lane and Erin Madarang in the show, which also features work by Toni and Eileen. ********************** From Shawn Sorensen: “Author and poet Willa Schneberg will make an upcoming special appearance featuring her book Storytelling in Cambodia. From 1992-1993, she worked for the U.N. in Phnom Penh. "Schneberg is a poet who boldly faces evil... The wisdom underpinning her poems is fully earned," writes author David Ray. Schneberg's book links haunting, beautiful pieces describing the country from its mythic times to its first free elections. She will read at Barnes & Noble Vancouver (7700 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., 98662) Wednesday, Sept. 9th at 7 pm. Free treats and open mic included. Email crm2679@bn.com for more information. Hosted by Shawn Sorensen.” ********************** This Thursday, I am honored to present the book launch for Eileen Elliott’s Prodigal Cowgirl. Eileen and I have known each other for several years, and I am privileged to have supported her through the long and arduous process of selecting the work that would appear in this book, so I don’t mind telling you that it kicks ass. Those of you who are regulars at Cover to Cover already know what a great performer she is. Please join us: Open Mic Poetry hosted by Christopher Luna 7:00pm Thursday, September 10, 2009 & every second Thursday Cover to Cover Books http://www.covertocoverbooks.net 1817 Main Street, Vancouver McLoughlin Blvd. & Main Street “always all ages and uncensored” For more info call 514-0358 or 910-1066 With our featured reader, Eileen Elliott: Eileen Davis Elliott came from a 1950's Midwest isolation still reeling from the Great Depression and World War II, and has been a time traveler ever since. She has explored the emerging Eastern Europe, women moving from school marms to combat pilots, and her own spirituality, stopping at Buddhism, shamanistic ideas, and revisiting the wisdom of the Golden Rule. She is a psychologist, (PhD from University of Missouri), artist (self-taught), and writer of prose and poetry. She also makes a passable apple pie and has recently taken up mah jongg. Prodigal Cowgirl is a collection of 120 poems summarizing a lifetime of seeking and occasional resolution with the world including the rural midwest, Central Europe emerging from the Cold War, and the guy on the freeway off ramp. This book asks the questions of who we are and what we might want to do about it. Prodigal Cowgirl is available for $14.99 (or $10 download) from Lulu.com or by e-mailing the author at: eileenelliott1@hotmail.com From CROW’S NEST IN CORN FIELD Long ago, when a family could make it on a quarter-section I would climb our windmill by the south pasture Every time Dad sent Ma to town To buy parts for mower Or the combine Or whatever else lost heart and abandoned him before the final round I would hang on the ladder by one crooked elbow And lean way, way out Filling myself up with the emptiness of the place The view of flat, and clean, and corn stalks everywhere I’d drink in white butterflies And road ditches of wild roses And hums of tiny insects On adventures of their own ******************************* Then, on Saturday, September 12 at noon, Eileen, Toni, and I will be reading together again as part of the Market Day Poetry Series at St. Johns Booksellers, curated by Dan Raphael. Toni will be reading from a new chapbook of poems entitled Jesus Is a Gas. Here is Dan Raphael’s announcement about the series: St Johns Booksellers 8622 N. Lombard 503-283-0032 www.stjohnsbooks.com The Market Day Poetry Series is a collaboration between St. Johns Booksellers and the new St. Johns Farmers' Market (located in the nearby plaza), taking place each Saturday at noon during the market season. The St Johns farmers market closes 9/26, so we still have 3 readings to go at St Johns Booksellers (8622 n lombard) at noon 9/12- Christopher Luna reads with Eileen Elliott (her new book Prodigal Cowgirl) and Toni Partington (new book Jesus is a Gas.) 9/19- dan raphael with Dennis McBride and Nolan Calish 9/26- barbara lamorticella, Judith Arcana and Frances Payne Adler Many thanks to Nena, and her wonderful store; to Laura for asking me about doing this series; and especially to all those who've gone all the way up to st johns for the reading, if not for the wonderful scene there at themarket and the small town feel of St Johns dan Keep spreading the word, Christopher SEPTEMBER POETRY E-NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Show and Tell Gallery and Three Friends Reading Schedule (9/1-15) Article about David Hill in the Columbian Peter Sears workshop at Writers Dojo begins September 10 LITFUSE September 25-27 in Tieton, WA with Charles Potts, George Bowering, & Mimi Allin Two blogs by poet Ed Coletti David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg’s Rockpile Tour Schedule Caesura Poetry Contest Open mic at WSU Tri-Cities 1. From Melissa Sillitoe: Hi Friends!! The Show and Tell Gallery is located at Everett Station Lofts: 625 NW Everett Street #231—a working/living art space community in Portland. Featuring visual, literary, and musical programming, Show and Tell Gallery Productions hosts free artistic events in public places and promotes collaborations between indie artists. Find out more about Show and Tell Gallery: www.showandtellgallery.org or Keep up with event listings through Myspace: www.myspace.com/showandtellgalleryproductions or Check out reviews of our events at: http:/www.brokenhours.net/blog Show and Tell Staff: Melissa Sillitoe, Producer/Hostess Nikia Cummings, Marketing Coordinator Luke Lefler, Digital Media Producer Katiecat, Gallery Cat Show and Tell Gallery Productions We hope to see you at some of these upcoming events! Check out the attached pictures of what's been going down!! The Regular Event Run-Down: Three Friends Mondays Caffeinated Art Series: "Three Friends Mondays: Caffeinated Art" is a weekly event for which three talented friends put together a combination of music, poetry, comedy, and/or live art to present a performance for you. Every Monday is unique, and sometimes even brings strangers together to collaborate creatively. Poets, singers, cellists, bluegrass guitarists, comedy sketch groups, bands, and painters have all graced the stage, and there are always sweet surprises! Even better, there is no cover charge. Simply show up at Three Friends Coffee House, 201 SE 12th Avenue (cross street is Ash), relax with a treat, and enjoy the show! Performances start at 7 sharp. The event is hosted by Show and Tell Gallery Productions. If you are a performer or guest, please consider staying to support the artists who perform at the Open Mic immediately after the Caffeinated Art series, the variety is unbelievable! Let's Play Sundays Series: Let's Play is a laid-back event that happens every other Sunday. A group of people gathers on the couches at the coffee house with a treat, and ready to read. Often inviting local writers, and sometimes reading a classic for some throwback fun, we keep it casual. No acting or play-writing experience necessary, all you need is a fun attitude! Show and Tell Open Mic: Every Monday following the Caffeinated Art series, creative people take numbers and hit the stage to Show and Tell, well, whatever really. This event provides an open and inviting forum for artists of all types to shine and share their stuff. We've had music, live painting, poetry, journal entries, emails, blonde jokes, and more... Because of this format, every week is fresh with unexpected surprises. You don't know what will happen next, and won't want to miss it! Don't wait; sign-up is at 8. 9/14/2009, 7:00pm, 3 Friends Mondays Caffeinated Art: The Blair Rich Project Three Friends Coffee House 201 SE 12th and Ash Republic of Portland, US $FREE$ Tonight: Rich Vail Mackin and Blair Vail Mackin (reading and playing as the Blair-Rich Project) and poet Christine Homistu White. The Show and Tell Open Mic follows; sign-up at 8 p.m., bring 7 minutes of any format of art to share. Hugs, Show and Tell Gallery 9/14/2009, 8:15pm, Show and Tell Open Mic Submissions: Do you do art of any kind? Please do let us take a look and consider your creation(s) for one of our many events. Especially if you have a piece for Let's Play, send to attention Melissa at showandtellevents@gmail.com. If you missed Mondays, you can simply click this link and check out the talent that happened on Show and Tell's Three Friends Stage during previous weeks: http://www.brokenhours.net/podcasts/3F/3F.html Hugs, Melissa Sillitoe, Host/Producer and Nikia Cummings, Marketing Coordinator Show and Tell Gallery: “Art. Caffeine. Community. Good times.” www.showandtellgallery.org 2. http://www.columbian.com/article/20090907/LIVING/709079996 Bits 'n' Pieces: Local man ‘Consumed' by poetry Sunday, September 6 6:25 p.m. Vancouver poet and humorist David Hill, author of "Consumed," will speak at Wordstock this fall. David Hill Vancouver poet and humorist In David Hill's verse collection, "Consumed," the title aptly summarizes the focus of the 68 poems contained within."Basically, it's about life in the modern age, and the different things people consume and are consumed by. Food and drink, love and sex, globalization," said Hill, a 37-year-old freelance editor and writer. Hill originally hails from England but moved to Vancouver in 2007."Consumed" was published last year by KenArnoldBooks and contains poems Hill has written over the past few years, many of them humorous. One such poem, "Bachelor Meal," sums up in four lines the quintessential meal of the unmarried man: bacon and bread, fried, with mushrooms on the side.Hill will read from "Consumed" on Oct. 10 as part of Portland's Wordstock festival. He'll also share some samples of his travel journalism and excerpts from "Voyage to Faremido," a collaborative project with Portland-based composer Gregory Vajda, resident conductor of the Oregon Symphony. That composition will premiere in Portland by the Third Angle New Music Ensemble at Reed College in January.Hill collaborated on the spoken-word components of "Voyage to Faremido," and that wasn't the first time he's lent his talents to musicians. Hill, who studied German and Russian languages and literature at the University of Oxford in England, also translates and writes lyrics for the English-language releases of the Hungarian folk-rock band Little Cow. 3. Peter Sears Workshop at the Writers Dojo Peter Sears has not taught a workshop in Portland in seven years. This workshop is not for beginners. It is limited to nine students. He says, "The poet will read his or her poem and will discuss strengths and strategies for possibly improving the poem. Please bring ten copies of one poem to the first class, plus single copies of two other poems. During this first class, I will assemble the worksheet for the second class and hand it out before you leave. This way, you can read the whole worksheet before returning to class, and; as you continue to bring in new poems and revisions, there will be a new worksheet for each class. For those of you working on a chapbook or a full ms, you may have three poems on a worksheet and the workshop group (plus you and me) will simply rank them one, two, and three and pass on their rankings to you. If there is time left after we gather the rankings, you would choose one of the poems for discussion." September 10 - October 29 Eight Thursdays, 7-10 pm cost: $240 Peter Sears teaches in the low-residency MFA program at Pacific University. His poems have appeared in national magazines and newspapers: Saturday Review, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Mademoiselle, The Christian Science Monitor, Mother Jones, and Rolling Stone. His poems have also appeared in literary magazines; Field, Southern Poetry Review, Northwest Review, Zyzzyva, Poetry Northwest, Ploughshares, Antioch Review, New Letters, Iowa Review, and Seneca Review. His book "The Brink" was recently named by the Oregon State Library one of Oregon's best 150 books. "The Brink" won the Peregrine-Smith Poetry Contest and then the Western States Poetry Award in 2000. His fifth chapbook "Luge" came out last June, and his next full-length book "Green Diver" is due out in November, 2009. He came to Oregon in the mid 70's to teach creative writing at Reed College. Considerations There is plenty of free street parking near the Dojo. No shoes are worn inside the Dojo. Slippers welcome. No smoking is allowed on the property. Unfortunately, Writers' Dojo is not wheelchair accessible. Just blocks from bus routes 17, 44, 4, 75, and 16. See a map and directions to Writers' Dojo. 4. LiTFUSE combines writing, improvisation, meditation, camaraderie, natural beauty & readings to ignite your muse. 2009 Amazing Faculty: George Bowering Canada’s Poet Laureate emeritus Carolyne Wright American Book Award winner Judith Roche American Book Award winner Charles Potts Washington Poets Ass’n Lifetime Achievement Award Tara Hardy Seattle Grand Slam Champ Mike Hickey Seattle Poet Populist AK Mimi Allin Poetess of Green Lake Leonard Orr TS Eliot & Blue Lynx Prizes Finalist Carol Trenga movement & meditation for the creative spirit Swil Kanim musical muse September 25-27 * Tieton, WA $120 early registration (includes Saturday banquet) / $130 after Sept. 11 Friday Master Class with George Bowering, $50 ($75 if not registered for LiTFUSE weekend) Registration and schedule at www.litfuse.us 5. Poet, Essayist and Painter Ed Coletti graduated from Georgetown University and the Creative Writing Masters Program at San Francisco State University (under Robert Creeley). He has published several books of poetry and recently has had work published in divide (Univ. of Colorado), Lilliput Review, Big Bridge, Blueline , The New Verse News, Jerry Jazz Musician, The Cherry Blossom Review, Parting Gifts, and the anthology of Italian-American poets (with Ferlighetti, DiPrima, et al) titled Avanti Popolo edited by James Tracy (Manic D Press). He is editor of Round Barn Press. Ed lives with his wife Joyce in Santa Rosa, California where he operates the respected Bay Area-wide Poetry Azul Reading Series. His internet presence includes “Ed Coletti’s P3” and also “No Money In Poetry.” I think you'll enjoy Ed Coletti's P3. It's not just a typical self-absorbed blog. Each time I post I offer one each Political, Philosophical, and Poetical piece - not typically about me. When you hit the link below, you also might want to browse through past postings. However, I'd recommend that you make any comments (encouraged) through the top one where comments are more likely to be read. http://edcolettip3.blogspot.com/ I'm also sending along this notification of a separate blog which I reserve exclusively for poetry matters. It's (ed coletti's) No Money In Poetry. Please take a look and feel free to comment. http://edwardcolettispoetryblog.blogspot.com 6. ROCKPILE TOUR CALENDAR 2009 CHECK OUT THE ROCKPILE WEBSITE AT www.bigbridge.org/rockpile/ LOS ANGELES Rockpile Performance Thursday, October 8th 7:00pm The Hammer Museum Billy Wilder Theater 10899 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90024 Phone: 310.443.7000 http://hammer.ucla.edu ADMISSION: free David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg with Theo Saunders (piano), Johnny Lee Schell(guitar), John B. Williams(bass), Joe Sublette(saxophone), Debra Dobkin (drums and percussion). ALBUQUERQUE Rockpile Performance Saturday, October 17th 7:30 pm Outpost Performance Space 210 Yale SE • 2 blocks south of Central Albuquerque, NM 87196 (505) 268-0044 http://www.outpostspace.org/ ADMISSION: $7, $5 dollars for members, (Outpost accepts phone orders as well as in-person sales at the Outpost Performance Space Box Office Hours: 2:00-5:30pm—Monday-Friday and 1 hr before each show at the door David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg with Thunderbird Poetry Orkestra: JB Bryan, alto saxophone, rumba box, rattles; Mark Weber, hubcapaphone & glockenspiel; Leif Rustebakke, koto, hurdy gurdy, percussion; Jon Baldwin, cornet; Mark LeClaire, cello; Daisy Kates, mellophone, percussion; Lou Liberty, taiko, little instruments; Jim Burbank, djembe, didgeridoo, wooden flutes; John Tritica, rain stick, cowhorn rattle, percussion; Riha Rothberg, balafon & percussion; plus special guest Terri Carrion, accordion. NEW ORLEANS Rockpile Performance Sun, October 25th 8PM Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, Louisiana 70113 (504) 827-5858 or (504) 352-1150 http://www.zeitgeistinc.net ADMISSON: all events are by donation - $7 general / $6 students & seniors / $5 Zeitgeist members /Patrons & Children 15 and under free (unless otherwise indicated) David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg and, Blodie with members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band including Gregory Davis (trumpet), Roger Lewis (baritone sax), Terence Higgins (drums), Julius McKee (sousaphone), and Jake Eckert (guitar). WASHINGTON, DC Sunday, November 1st, 2pm – 3:30 The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street Bethesda, MD 20815 (301)654-8664 www.writer.org ADMISSION: free "All About Rockpile," with David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg, and Burnett Thompson &The New Columbia Orchestra. WASHINGTON, DC Rockpile Performance Wednesday, November 4th, 9pm-11pm Busboys and Poets: “Hump Day Groovez” 2021 14 St. NW Washington, DC 20009 202-387-9757 http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ ADMISSION: 10 dollars at the door David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg with Burnett Thompson and The New Columbia Orchestra NEW YORK CITY Saturday, November 7th 2-5pm Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church Parish Hall 131 E. 10th St.(& 2nd Ave.) Manhattan, NY ADMISSION: free ROCKPILE Symposium: David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg host a discussion on "Art and Activism, Poetry, Music and The Troubadour Tradition, Censorship and The Academy, Community and Collaboration: Open discussion with Ammiel Alcalay, Teresa Carrion, Jim Christy, Marty Ehrlich, Michael Franklin, Murat Nemat-Nejat, Wanda Phipps, Robert Priest, Harris Schiff, Suzi Winson and Bill Zavatsky. We welcome audience participation. Moderator: Jim Feast. Refreshments Monday, November 9th, 12:30-2pm Segal Theater The Center for the Humanities The Graduate Center, CUNY 365 Fifth Avenue, Room 5103 New York, NY 10016 212-817-2005 ADMISSION: free ROCKPILE- Poetry and Music and The Troubadour Tradition A Discussion with David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg hosted by David Henderson and Ammiel Alcalay. NEW YORK CITY Rockpile Performance Monday, November 9th 8pm The Gershwin Hotel 7 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016 (212)545-8000 http://www.gershwinhotel.com/english/site1.html ADMISSION: $10 at the door David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg with Marty Ehrlich (multi-reed player), Lindsey Horner (bass), Bill Zavatsky (piano), Michael Stephans (drums) ROCHESTER November 11th, 4-5:15 pm David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg read and discuss ROCKPILE Rochester Institute of Technology College of Liberal Arts Faculty Lounge Bldg. 6, Rm 1251 92 Lomb Memorial Dr Rochester, NY (585) 475-4922 ADMISSION: free November 11th, 7pm David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion Reading at: Writers and Books 740 University Ave Rochester, NY (585) 473-2590 ADMISSION: free November 12th, 10:30 am Rochester Institute of Technology lecture Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion class on “Editing The Literary Magazine” Rochester Institute of Technology 92 Lomb Memorial Dr. Rochester, NY ADMISSION: free BUFFALO, NY November 12th, 7PM David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg reading Just Buffalo @ WNYBAC Western New York Book Arts Center 468 Washington St. @ Mohawk Place 2nd Floor Buffalo, NY 14203 http://www.justbuffalo.org/ ADMISSION: free CHICAGO Rockpile Performance Thursday, November 19, 8pm- 12pm The Hideout 1354 W Wabansia Chicago, Il 60622 773.227.4433 http://www.hideoutchicago.com/ ADMISSION: 10 dollars at the door (all shows 21 & over unless stated otherwise advance tickets online or by phone at 866.468.3401) Poetry & Jazz Festival with ROCKPILE: David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg perform with The Spider Trio and The Bob Malone Band and special guests Art Lange, Ed Roberson, Francesco Levato, Larry Sawyer, Dan Godston Band and Terri Carrion. ST. LOUIS Monday, November 23rd 6pm Untamed Ink, Under and Above Ground: A Publication Celebration hosted by David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion Lindenwood University, LCIE auditorium. ADMISSION: free ST. LOUIS Rockpile Performance November 24th 7:30-11pm Regional Arts Commission Performance Space 6128 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112-1204 (314) 863-5811 http://www.art-stl.com/ ADMISSION: free David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg with Zimbabwe Nkenya (Bass), Dave Black ( guitar), Bob Malone (piano), Michael Franklin, Shirley LeFlore, Michael Castro, K. Curtis Lyle and David Jackson (assorted percussion and electronics), Alexander Balogh, Sean Arnold, Terri Carrion, Howard Schwartz, and Philip Gounis. 7. Caesura, the literary magazine of Poetry Center San Jose, is running its first poetry contest in years! See below for general guidelines, and check www.pcsj.org/caesura for full details. Best, Erica Goss co-editor, Caesura POETRY CONTEST $500 PRIZE AND PUBLICATION The winner will be published in the Spring 2010 issue of: CAESURA The literary journal of Poetry Center San Jose Final Judge: Nils Peterson, Poet Laureate, Santa Clara County Entry fee: $10 for three poems Submission Period: 8/17/09 – 10/17/09 Send submissions and entry fee to Caesura Contest, P. O. Box 33145, Los Gatos, CA 95031 8. Finally, Len Orr would like you to know about his First Thursday open mic at WSU Tri-citites: http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/poetry/

REMINDER: Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, and Eileen Elliott read in California

Just a quick reminder that Vancouver poets Toni Partington, Eileen Elliott, and yours truly will be giving three readings in California in the next few days. Please forward the following announcements to your friends in California: Saturday August 29, 2009: The 1st Annual Shelldance Poetry, Music & Art Festival. Featuring Rockpile: David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion and the Rabbles. Also Featured: Leah Lubin, Terry Adams, Natascha Bruckner, Camincha, Andrew Mayer, Nancy Cavers-Doughtery, Mark Eckert, Mary Hower, Jym Marks, Erica Goss, Jennifer Barone, Eileen Elliot, Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, David Madgalene and Judy Irwin. Music by Bassist Steve Shain. MC's: David Madgalene and Christopher Luna. Visual art by Leah Lubin, Anna Teeples, and Uma Rani Iyli. Free & open to the public. 3 pm until 9 pm. Shelldance Orchid Gardens, 2000 Highway 1, Pacifica, CA 94044. (650) 355-4845. www.shelldance.com Sunday, August 30, 2009. Arts Sonoma ’09 presents Audio-Graffiti: Poetry on, under and around the Bridge. Featuring Sonoma County Poet Laureate Mike Tuggle, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion, Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, Eileen Elliot, judi goldberg, Dixie Lewis, David Beckman, Nancy Cavers-Doughtery, Andrew Mayer, Mark Eckert, and MC David Madgalene. 4 pm. Guerneville Plaza. Free and open to the public. 707-836-9586. madgalen@sonic.net. PHILIP HACKETT PRESENTS AT THE POET’S GALLERY Christopher Luna & Toni Partington and Eileen Elliot Leading Portland-Area Poets In Their San Francisco Debut! Also featuring David Madgalene Tom Mariani and Music by Judy Irwin and Others To Be Named!?!?! including Maybe You, too (if you show up) !!!!! 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Monday, August 31, 2009 Café Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco Philip Hackett Presents at The Poet’s Gallery P. O. Box 330168 SF CA 94133-0168 hackett.philip at gmail.com I would like to thank David Madgalene for all that he has done to make these readings happen. David is a true friend and a great writer. David, Toni, and I would also like to thank Michael Rothenberg for his kind words regarding the community building work we have been doing in the following article from the Pacifica Tribune: http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica-entertainment/ci_13202015. Thanks for your help spreading the word. Hope to see some of you at these events!

POETRY E-NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2009

Poets and lovers of poetry: I want to begin by thanking Roy Seitz for planning and executing one the finest readings I’ve ever done way up there in Index. It was like reading my poetry in paradise (Index is surrounded by mountains, rocks, and trees, and the Skykomish River runs right through town) and I was fortunate to share the bill with some of my favorite NW poets. Please consider attending the index Arts Festival next year. You won’t regret it. I would also like to thank poets Jeff Lair and Robinson Bolkum for their help with transportation and lodging for the event. It has been an honor to be one of the regular columnists for Sage Cohen’s “Writing the Life Poetic E-Zine.” My first two columns were entitled “The Poetics of Community: The Importance of Gathering with Likeminded People” and “Poetic Lineage and the Saturation Job.” If you’d like to read the two issues that have been released so far, go to: Writing the Life Poetic E-Zine May 2009: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs010/1100476723030/archive/1102584554109.html Writing the Life Poetic E-Zine Summer 2009: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs010/1100476723030/archive/1102646874958.html At the end of the month, Toni and I will be traveling to California for our annual rendezvous with my Kerouac School partner-in-crime David Madgalene, who has once again put together a couple of fantastic gigs for us. Please forward the following two events to your friends in California: Saturday August 29, 2009: The 1st Annual Shelldance Poetry, Music & Art Festival. Featuring Rockpile: David Meltzer, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion and the Rabbles. Also Featured: Leah Lubin, Terry Adams, Natascha Bruckner, Camincha, Andrew Mayer, Nancy Cavers-Doughtery, Mark Eckert, Mary Hower, Jym Marks, Erica Goss, Jennifer Barone, Eileen Elliot, Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, David Madgalene and Judy Irwin. Music by Bassist Steve Shain. MC's: David Madgalene and Christopher Luna. Visual art by Leah Lubin, Anna Teeples, and Uma Rani Iyli. Free & open to the public. 3 pm until 9 pm. Shelldance Orchid Gardens, 2000 Highway 1, Pacifica, CA 94044. (650) 355-4845. www.shelldance.com Sunday, August 30, 2009. Arts Sonoma ’09 presents Audio-Graffiti: Poetry on, under and around the Bridge. Featuring Sonoma County Poet Laureate Mike Tuggle, Michael Rothenberg, Terri Carrion, Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, Eileen Elliot, judi goldberg, Dixie Lewis, David Beckman, Nancy Cavers-Doughtery, Andrew Mayer, Mark Eckert, and MC David Madgalene. 4 pm. Guerneville Plaza. Free and open to the public. 836-9586. madgalen@sonic.net. via David Madgalene on behalf of Arts Sonoma ‘09 Finally, don’t forget to join us for Open Mic Poetry hosted by Christopher Luna 7:00pm Thursday, August 13, 2009 & every second Thursday Cover to Cover Books 1817 Main Street, Vancouver, WA McLoughlin Blvd. & Main Street “always all ages and uncensored” For more info call 514-0358 or 910-1066 With our featured reader, Jim Martin: A regular attendee of the open mic reading series since its inception in 2004, Jim Martin is a retired biologist and teacher who fills his time with writing, photography, and family. Jim will be reading from his chapbook entitled Riparian Journey. Fall. The creek turns chilly, Tippy's fur grows to a thick mat; the Moon enchants And my thoughts turn to you; just here, on the bank, so long ago The same chill air that disclosed your breathing, and drew our bodies close, carries your scent back to me now, and you're here. We touch, talk quietly, then, like the wisps of my breath, dissolve and leave me here, alone, remembering Jim Martin POETRY E-NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Geezer Gallery benefit poetry reading at 100th Monkey Studio (Portland) August 7 First Fruits Poetry Reading (Tacoma, WA) August 8 St. Johns Market Day Poetry Series (Curated by Dan Raphael) Schedule for August Brittany Baldwin and Casey Bush at B&N Vancouver August 12 Oregon Writers Colony Calendar Featuring NW Authors Now Available Spare Room Collective readings for August Pamela Crow, Sophia Tree and Steve Williams at B&N Lloyd Center August 19 ROCKPILE TOUR/Big Bridge announcements from Michael Rothenberg Register early for Paulann Petersen’s workshop October 24-25 SUBMISSION CALLS (most with September deadlines, so act fast) Make ‘em sweat, Christopher 1. On Friday, August 7 from 6-9 PM, local poets Robert Davies, Joan Maiers, Dennis McBride, David Oates, Leah Stenson and guitarist Casey Killingsworth will perform at the 100th Monkey Studio, 110 SE 16th&Ankeny in Portland, OR. This event is a benefit for the Geezer Gallery. Contact: http://www.the100thmonkeystudio.com 2. First Fruits, An Agape poetry Event takes place August 8, 2009 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. at Urban Grace, 9th and Market, Tacoma. Tickets $5.00 in advance, $7.00 at the door. To benefit the Agape Foundation. More informaiton: 253.272.2184 3. Dan Raphael has done it again. The maestro has put together a great series that runs during the St. Johns neighborhood Saturday Market. Heads up: I will be featured on September 12, along with Eileen Elliott, whose amazing new book, “Prodigal cowgirl” has just been released. Come out and support these great events: From Dan Raphael August got off to a rollicking start with Melissa Sillitoe, Rick J and Sara Kohler. The variety, verve and eloquence will continue thorughout the month every SATURDAY at NOON St. Johns Booksellers 8622 N Lombard POETS 8/8 Laura Feldman (librarian, peace corps vet, bike and beer advocate) and Gale Czerski (public eye, "occupies a pivotal position in the lost-and-found department of the Big Bang") 8/15 Tommy Gaffney (reading host, malt advocate, basket-ball hustler and manager), Astrid (aka Jenna Alexia-- struggling artist, bon vivant and occasional shadow), and Ric Vrana 8/22 Casey Bush (senior editor, compliance officer, tennis bum and fungus hunter), Nancy Flynn (award winning writer, blogger and former administrator), and Patrick Bocarde (engineer, cultural critic and music industry slave) 8/29 (featuring people NOT FROM PORTLAND) margareta waterman (editor, fiction writer, harpist, dancer) Ezra Mark (comics editor, event coordinator, language dissector) Joseph Federico (commujnity activist , forager wildlife magician) & Brian Cuteani (troubador and traveller) The reading's free, Nena runs a fine bookstore, the St Johns Farmers Market (9-1) is 1/2 a block away and the sidewalks full with energized people. 4. From Shawn Sorensen: POETRY GROUP FEATURES DOUBLE HEADER: All are invited to our 2nd Wednesdays Poetry Group, which on Aug. 12th at 7 pm will host local favorites Casey Bush and Brittany Baldwin. This event at Barnes & Noble Vancouver always features free treats, almost 1,000 poetry titles to choose from and a popular open mic. Join us! Barnes & Noble Vancouver: 7700 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., 98662. Hosted by Shawn Sorensen, who can be emailed at: crm2679@bn.com NORTHWEST AUTHORS BARE ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A GOOD CAUSE: Get to know 12 popular authors a whole lot better and support the renovation of one of the jewels of the northwest writing community: the Oregon Writers Colony "Colonyhouse" at Rockaway Beach. The Oregon Writers Colony 2010 Calendar features the following scantily-clad authors in lovely, tasteful and creative poses: Mark Acito, Larry Brooks, Peter Carlin, Sage Cohen, Elizabeth Lyon, Robert Dugoni, Cai Emmons, Julie Fast, Shanna Germain, Steve Perry, Jennie Shortridge and Daniel Wilson. The calendar makes a phenomenal gift and serves as a fundraiser that will help make the Colonyhouse accessible for the disabled and larger for everyone as it provides a hot spot for writing retreats, workshops, or simply a gorgeous, peaceful place to get a lot of writing done. Calendars can be purchased at the upcoming Willamette Writers annual conference or through our informational website: http://www.colonyhouseaccesscampaign.org/ Thank you thank you! Enthusiastically, Shawn 5. From Spare Room Collective via David Abel: Spare Room presents Crag Hill Douglas Rothschild Saturday, August 15 Please join us for a house reading and potluck in SE Portland, hosted by Jennifer Coleman and Allison Cobb: 213 SE 26th 2:00 pm gathering and potluck 3:00 pm reading www.flim.com/spareroom spareroom@flim.com ============================================= Upcoming Readings August 16: Graham Foust & Eric Baus September 20: Joe Massey & Joel Felix October 25: Peter O'Leary & Michael Autrey ============================================= During the anemic Carter administration, Crag Hill kicked the "i" out of his first name. Continuing to be underwhelmed by his elected leaders, he threatens to kick out the last vowel, too soft, too soft, he says. Until recently he edited SCORE, one of the few journals dedicated exclusively to concrete/visual poetry. His creative and critical works in progress can be found at http://scorecard.typepad.com. He teaches future teachers of English at Washington State University. New York poet Douglas Rothschild's book Theogeny is out this year from Subpress Books. Says poet Anselm Berrigan: “This is a book of tremendous clarity, and I'm grateful for its existence.” Pierre Joris has called it “My favorite book of poems for 2009 so far […] and a long time a-coming.” Douglas Rothschild's life has been one long miasma of failure, disappointment, coffee, & overarching desire. Though he has not yet accomplished anything of note, Mr. Rothschild intends to continue on for some time yet. ============================================= from Four'sCore Hear distant shouts, the indefensible cries of a shipwreck. The arguments twisted her arm. She fought him off. I think that one shouted in silence again, lifted her off the air for an instant with her pathology or developmental space. The bad news brought mountains. One part of him grew directly contrary to observations. He imagined himself (it was all he could afford). Crag Hill Beantown News Take your attitude & put it in your big car & get it off my street. This here yellow curb, ain't a parking spot, & it ain't your prsonalized economic entitlement zone. Douglas Rothschild Spare Room presents Eric Baus Graham Foust Sunday, August 16 7:30 pm Concordia Coffee House 2909 NE Alberta $5.00 suggested donation www.flim.com/spareroom spareroom@flim.com ============================================= Eric Baus is the author of The To Sound (Wave Books) and Tuned Droves (Octopus Books). He edits Minus House chapbooks and writes about poetry audio recordings on the site To The Sound. He lives in Denver. Graham Foust lives in Oakland and works at Saint Mary's College of California. His fourth book, A Mouth in California, will be published by Flood Editions in September. ============================================= Votive Scores If eels lie vertically inside the statue or old bees coat its surface, a needle will point to the center of my hide. Owls murmured up a piece of green cloth. Hard ash topped me. The birds it entailed peopled the treetops, stripped me of my coos. Un-tuned doves flew elsewhere, worried their drones would shrink inside my ears. A second split occurred when its eyes bloomed red. Votive scores pushed open the view. Here, the street was both omen and throat. The swarming sky sparrowed until day withered, until the statue punched out of its skin. He was wearing his own arms. His house showed. Ants formed and he scorched their trails. Sing rendered, he trilled, Sing posed. Eric Baus To the Writer Another cloud spun to nothing, one of nature’s more manageable kills. Another borderline-meaningless morning save for everything. You claim you kissed a certain picture with such patience you became it. So who hasn’t? You’re of one long weary trouble; you wear your hard mind on your hand. Thus, your dumb touch, your clunky fuss, your little millions. Your stomach newly stuffed with amputations. Quiet and furious dots of distant rooms -- rooms, I would add, through which you’ll never move or sleep -- begin to mean. In one of them, humor, collapsed in a painful curl, an odd head at the back of its throat. It’s what’s to bleed about. Graham Foust 6. From Sage Cohen: Wednesday, August 19, 7:00 p.m. Presenting Pamela Crow, Sophia Tree and Steve Williams Barnes & Noble 1317 Lloyd Center // Gift section Portland, OR 97232 503-249-0800 Pam Crow lives in Portland, Oregon, where she works as a clinical social worker and helps to raise two children. She is member of the Black Boughs Poetry Group and the recipient of the 1996 National Astraea Award for Emerging Lesbian Writers. Pam Crow's poems have been anthologized in The Bedford Introduction to Literature, Of Frogs and Toads, and A Walk Through My Garden, and have appeared in numerous national journals. Her first book, Inside This House, was published in September 2007. Sophie Tree is a Portland-based mother of three who has been writing "under cover" for nearly 20 years on the East Coast while noonlighting as an academic, attorney, entrepreneur, nonprofit director and consultant. She has recently founded Village Media, a multimedia network for parents providing information and authentic connection based on the adage "It takes a village to raise the children." Sophie published her first chapbook, Nineteen Pulses, this past June. Steve Williams lives and works in Portland with a lovely woman who writes and edits much better than he but refuses to admit it. 7. Dear Big Bridge Readers, Please check out the new ROCKPILE Website & Blog at Big Bridge, www.bigbridge.org/rockpile/ ROCKPILE is a collaboration between David Meltzer — poet, musician, essayist, and more — and Michael Rothenberg of Big Bridge Press. David and Michael will journey through eight cities in the U.S. to perform poetry and prose, composed while on the road, with local musicians and artists in each city. ROCKPILE will serve to educate and preserve as well as to create a history of collaboration. It will help to reinforce the tradition of the troubadour of all generations, central to the cultural upheaval and identity politics that reawakened poets, artists, musicians, and songwriters in the mid-1960s through the 1970s. The project will end with a final multimedia performance celebration in San Francisco. The ROCKPILE Website & Blog will tell you all you need to know about the ROCKPILE project including performance dates, venues, artist bios and performance clips of some of the musicians we will be meeting and performing with in each of the cities. Once we hit the road, we will be posting travel photos, journal entries, performance videos, interviews and more, daily, on the ROCKPILE Blog, so log on and join us as we travel around the country. Write us, comment on the blog, and let us know you are with us, let us know you care! And of course, we hope to see you on the road! Best, Michael Rothenberg, David Meltzer, Terri Carrion & Ziggy. ROCKPILE www.bigbridge.org/rockpile/ Made possible by a grant from the Creative Work Fund, a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, also supported by generous grants from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation, and support from the Committee on Poetry. Part 1 of this year’s Big Bridge is now online! http://www.bigbridge.org/ As usual, it includes balanced presentations of arts and genres, aesthetic approaches and socio-political statements, compact anthologies and stand-alone works. The issue opens with a collection of essays and examples of Slow Poetry, one of the leading contenders for the first major shift in 21st century art. Not a movement, but rather a means of approaching, rethinking, and appreciating virtually all modes and genres. A measure of the importance of this feature is that its URL got passed around before the issue officially went online. It thus officially appears after being mentioned in blogs, and even satirized by another group. In one way or another, we hope our features tend to be similarly ahead of the curve - at times going so far as to generate response before official publication. We do, however, try to present work that keeps response from distorting our environment, as we try to reclaim poetry from preconception. This issue’s anthology of poetry and fiction from South Africa, for instance, makes no attempt to fill in news stories or confirm simplifications of huge problems and unusual successes, but present a glimpse of the diversity of a complex nation’s poetry and the individuality of its writers. Standard features such as the continuing group statements in War Papers and another in the series of paintings by Jim Spitzer, judicious essays and terse reviews, short fiction and a suggestive sample of current little magazines published on paper in the digital age continue the scope of the magazine. A simplified table of contents appears below. This issue differs from its predecessors in several ways. It intersects with the ROCKPILE program of transcontinental readings lead by David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg and including local participants. It also appears several months before the omnibus New Orleans anthology, which, in itself, is larger than everything else in the issue. Later this year, we will also add a compact, bi-lingual Anthology of Venezuelan Women poets, another tri-lingual Anthology of Galician writers and a few small contributions. We feel that dividing the issue up this way keeps the New Orleans feature from throwing the issue off balance and giving our readers some breathing room. Opening ROCKPILE at this time also gives us a chance to test the interaction of an annual magazine with an on-going project. Although we are adamant partisans in some areas, such as opposition to senseless wars in places the U.S. does not understand and where it does not belong, and in celebration of the history and resurrection of one of America’s greatest cities, we hope to maintain enough diversity to present some work that will appeal to nearly anyone who looks for progressive poetry on the web, and perhaps promote interchange between people with different ideas and orientations. At a time when economic crisis brings out the perennial name for boondoggles, we’d like to move as far away from being a bridge to nowhere as we can but rather see how close we can come to being a big bridge that can act as a focal point for the cyberbridges that lead everywhere. CHAPBOOK A Time in Fragments Poem by Clark Coolidge; Drawings by Nancy Victoria Davis FEATURES, 1 Slow Poetry Edited by Dale Smith Beauty Came Groveling Forward: Selected South African Poems and Stories edited by Gary Cummiskey All This Strangeness: A Garland for George Oppen Edited by Eric Hoffman Sephardic Proverbs Collected and translated by Michael Castro Post-Beat Anthology Reprint from the Chinese anthology, with brief intro Edited by Vernon Frazer as per Le Roman de la Rose, for example: An Anthology of Middle East Genocide Edited by Arpine Konyalian Grenier Charles Olson and the Nature of Destructive Humanism by Craig Stormont One Man Blues: Remembering Thomas Chapin Reminiscense by Vernon Frazer Excerpt from Autobiography by David Bromige The India Journals by John Brandi Genius and Heroin: by Michael Largo WAR PAPERS (3) Poems and essays against war. FEATURES, 2 - ONGOING: ROCKPILE ROCKPILE is a collaboration between David Meltzer - poet, musician, essayist, and more - and Michael Rothenberg, poet, songwriter and editor of Big Bridge Press. In the tradition of the troubadour and with the spirit of collaboration, David and Michael will journey through eight U.S. cities and perform poetry, composed on the road, with local musicians and artists in each city. ROCKPILE will serve to educate, and preserve and create a history of collaboration and help to introduce as well as reinforce the tradition of the troubadour for all generations. The project will end with a final multimedia performance in San Francisco. Check out the ROCKPILE Website and Blog at http://bigbridge.org/rockpile/ for complete gig dates, musician bios, on the road calendar, and ongoing interactive exchange! ART Enigmas paintings by Jim Spitzer The Kingdom of Madison: Photographs from Madison County, North Carolina by Rob Amberg These Are My Angels Paintings by Tasha Robbins Lectura en Transito Project Created and Directed by Carmen Gloria Berrios Set based on combination of public art and poetry from Santiago de Chile Animal Night Photography by Felicia Murray; notes by Louise Landes Levi 12 Collages by John Brandi FICTION And REVIEWS LITTLE MAGS Plastic Ocean, Green Dragon and Untamed Ink http://www.bigbridge.org 8. From: Paulann Petersen I’m teaching a generative workshop the weekend of October 24-25 at the Attic in southeast Portland. Please take a look if you’re interested: http://atticwritersworkshop.com/workshop/fall-class-weekend-poetry-workshop Craft Workshop: Free Fall: A Generative Workshop in Poetry (October 24-25) Free Fall Join me in a weekend devoted to generating new poems. In our two days together, we’ll let our pens romp, run, flurry & sally. Using innovative springboards that include noted poems, we’ll make a sustained plummet, a delicious plunge into language. My intent is to have each participant leave the workshop carrying both a notebook brimming with new work & ideas for ways to continue the momentum. All levels of experience welcome. The only requirement is a willingness to spend two days writing as part of a small, supportive community of other writers. Maximum Enrollment: 12 (We’ll take an hour’s lunch break Sunday. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the Hawthorne district nearby.) Teacher: Paulann Petersen Time: Saturday & Sunday, October 24 (12:30-5pm) & October 25 (10am-4:30pm) Total Fee: $125 Deposit: $45 (non-refundable) Please note that this is a workshop designed to generate new work. If you’re interested in a craft/revision workshop, I’ll be teaching a 7 or 10 week one at the Attic late winter/early spring (February & March) of this coming year. I’ll try to send out notices about that late this fall. Paulann Petersen Please note e-mail change to paulann@paulann.net Visit my web site at www.paulann.net 9. SUBMISSION CALLS: From Calyx Press: Calyx Press is holding Sarah Lantz Memorial Poetry Book Prize contest for Oregon women writers. Submission period is September 1-31, 2009. Send a complete unpublished book manuscript (75-125 pages) with biographical data and a $25 entry fee (payable in check or MO) to Calyx Poetry Book Prize, PO Box B, Corvallis, OR 97339. Do not put your name and address on any pages, only on a separate cover letter. Winning manuscript will be announced in February 2010. Winner receives a Calyx Books contract for publication of the manuscript in Fall 2010 and a $500 award. More information at http://calyxpress.org. Contact calyx@proaxis.com. FROM TIMOTHY GREEN, EDITOR RATTLE See release of our new supplemental newsletter. RATTLE e.6 is a 33-page PDF, downloadable on our website, which contains content that expands upon this summer’s print issue. Included are a first book interview series, with a look at Michelle Bitting and her book Good Friday Kiss; a column by Art Beck, “The Impertinent Duet,” on the art of translating poetry; Bruce Cohen on the submission process; winners of the 2009 Neil Postman Award for Metaphor, and a peek at my first book American Fractal. We share a preview of the summer print issue, with a tribute to African American poets, which should arrive on your doorstep around June 1st. Download the e-Issue by clicking this link: http://rattle.com/eissues/eIssue6.pdf (1.0 MB pdf). Less than half of the poetry in each issue is focused on the theme—the rest is open to any style, subject matter, or poet. We enjoy reading submissions, and accept them by email and hardcopy, year-round. Visit www.rattle.com/submissions.htm for guidelines. CALLS FOR SUBMISSION (info at http://www.rattle.com/callsforsubs.htm) Issue Theme Reading Period #32 Sonnets 2/1/09 – 8/1/09 #33 Humor 8/1/09 – 2/1/10 #34 Mental Health Workers 2/1/10 – 8/1/10 Contact tim@rattle.com or www.rattle.com or www.timothy-green.org/books.htm. CALL FOR POEMS: PROTESTPOEMS.ORG http://web.mac.com/renkat/Site/Protest_Poems.html Protestpoems.org is a twice-monthly poetry journal committed to poetry that tackles human rights issues worldwide. The website provides information about persecuted writers, with letters of protest ready for our subscribers to cut and paste. To receive emails with protest information focused on a specific writer, email us at write@protestpoems.org with SUBSCRIBE in subject line. Submission guidelines: We’re not looking for partisan propaganda, party-political mouthings, sentimental depictions of what you see on the TV, or rhyming greetings card verses. We want you to champion human rights; the rights of those who don’t have the freedom to write and speak. Formal complaints are especially exciting. Paste your poems (a maximum of 3 one-page poems) and brief bio into the body of an email and send to mailto:write@protestpoems.org. Ok to email a single .doc or .rtf file with all the poems. We accept poems previously published on paper, if you hold the copyright. We don’t accept poems currently or previously published online (including blogs). We publish a poet only once a year. If your poem deals with a specific call for action or specific person, let us know. FROM CONNIE WALLE: Deadline: Sept. 1, 2009 Editors of CHIRON REVIEW are reading submissions for an "All Punk Poetry" issue to be published Dec. 2009. Poetry, fiction, b/w line art, comics/cartoons, photos, nonfiction, whatever should be sent via snail mail with SASE to: Chiron Review, Attn: PUNK, 522 E. South Ave., St. John, KS 67576. Name and mailing address should appear on every poem, story, etc. Material is copyrighted in author's/artist's name. Details at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/1748/chiron1.htm. FROM THOMAS WALTON, EDITOR: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO PAGE BOY MAGAZINE Poetry, prose, essays. Stylistic concerns are unimportant. Preference given to works that are strangely lovely, inexplicably beautiful, musical much more so than moral, logical or 'straight.' Confessional, Sentimental, Angry work not accepted. No deadlines, no entry fees. We pay a couple of contributor’s copies. I’ve never liked the idea of poets having to pay other people to read their work. Send 3-5 poems, prose 10 pages or less, essays on any subject to pageboymagazine@hotmail.com. FROM NICK TRUMBLE AT THE PRINT REGISTER LTD, IN SCOTLAND "WHAT WENT BANG?" POETRY COMPETITION DEADLINE 31ST JULY 09 Multiple submissions ok if poets have multiple ideas on the subject. Email attachments ok they are Word (.doc) documents or PDF. The Print Register Ltd is a small print and design business in the North of Scotland producing books and booklets for self published poets and other small publishers and community groups. This year we are publishing a little poetry ourselves and one project is the “What Went Bang?” poetry competition, as outlined below, which invites answers to the questions posed. Any style of poem will be considered provided it is your own work, written in English and not more than twenty four lines long, although if you really do have the answers, of at least something important, poignant or really hilarious to say on the subject of creation, we may stretch it a little. The winning entries will be published by The Print Register in an anthology, a copy of which will conveniently double up as a prize for the writers of all the published entries. The competition is free to enter. Copyright remains with the author but The Print Register reserves the right to publish any entries in the anthology at any time. Please email nick@printregister.com with your poems and queries. www.printregister.com From Naugatuck River Review: Submission deadline July 1 through September 1 for Winter issue. Naugatuck River Review publishes narrative poetry. More info at www.naugatuckriverreview.com.