Hang in there ðŸš
Okay Lovelies,
How are we doing?
This extrovert is crumpling up without the sunlight of daily interactions, though I am blessed to have a yard with which to change the scenery, and one in which I am sowing pumpkins and marigolds in defiance of the apocalypse. There is something perverse in our having in Seattle such a string of fine days: one golden glow upon another, the only rain a shower of cherry blossoms and green revivifying everything and here we are all just..not on boats or skimming through the bookstore stacks. sigh
The virtual reading was fun to do, and many thanks to those of you who showed up, a hundred-something in all, which, though it doesn't feel quite like a proper poetry reading/book release party, is more people than usually come to these things. Check out the video here, if you like.
Speaking of mediated readings, I've re-booted my old podcast, Poems for the People (it's just me reading poems to my laptop) and there are 4 new episodes, for those of you who haven't been around in a bit. Newly expanded, it can now be streamed from Spotify, Apple podcasts, Breaker, or any of 8 other podcast services. Click here to pick one. Poems by Lee Rossi, Thomas Chatterton, and Anna Ahkmatova are on offer.
Publications
What else? Last week I published this little piece over at The Gospel Coalition: "5 Contemporary Poets Christians Should Read". Careful readers will note admiringly the way I worked in references to 3 current SPU professors, 1 former, and 1 alumni. This is not nepotism on my part; I just happen to believe we have an outstanding Creative Writing team here, as well as Writing, as well as...oh, somebody stop me before I start in about the landscaping.
Then, I was interviewed by this radio station in Pittsburgh and they let me read poetry. Like, on the air. I don't know about you, but I have never heard of a drive-time radio featuring folks reading and talking about poetry (thankful though I am for that program where they always say "it is the birthday of...") You can listen to the interview here.
Listening
Nothing really. This is the first time in my conscious life that I have had no new music about which I am excited. A consequence of this isolation? I am still hearing new things, but nothing has taken root. I'm getting nervous for my year-in-music list.
Oddments
- My friend Alan Jacobs published this essay on the William Blake exhibit at the Tate London, and it is masterful (the essay, not the exhibit).
- My friend the Rev. Dr. J. Salladin will be giving an online course through Regent College on Anglican History and Theology; I'm seriously considering enrolling, even though beginning a 4th graduate degree might be, I don't know...a bit much?
- I've redone my website. Again. I wanted it to be super clean and easy for the bots to crawl, and nice to look at besides. Check it out and let me know what you think?
Big Favor
If one or two (or ten) of you have a) actually seen the new book and b) enjoyed it, would you mind popping over to Amazon and telling them, via the dispensation of stars? Apparently, they don't recommend books with too few ratings, and I'd so like for this book to find people who need it.
Bless you all.