tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57590552024-03-14T00:36:02.280-05:00Michael Allyn Wellspoetry in american culture
Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.comBlogger3573125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-463090288991608672024-02-12T12:08:00.000-06:002024-02-12T12:08:14.429-06:00AWP24 - KANSAS CITY CONFERENCE REVIEW -- As I Experienced it <div style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x1cy8zhl x78zum5 x1q0g3np xod5an3 x1pi30zi x1swvt13 xz9dl7a" style="align-items: flex-start; animation-name: none !important; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-top: 12px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x1iyjqo2" style="animation-name: none !important; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="animation-name: none !important; 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background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span aria-labelledby=":rtl:" class="x1rg5ohu x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x16dsc37 xt0b8zv" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: top;"><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1g77sc7" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 0; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1pt730z arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 47; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />e</span><span class="x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xnlcnb7 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 31; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">o</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1ee9ax4 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 39; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">s</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x9ek82g arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 1; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">t</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x36lzlx arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 19; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">p</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xwmoq1i arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 18; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">S</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1nicfno arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 59; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">d</span><span class="x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xhp99yf arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 41; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">o</span><span class="xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1wa695h arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 36; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">n</span><span class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1ihsnu5 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 44; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">r</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xde8tdn arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 52; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">i</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x14yy4lh" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 2; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">Y</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x8o8amb arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 43; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">9</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xt3tw32" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 26; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">a</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1eopwuj" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 23; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">a</span><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1esxh7v" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 7; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">e</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1hrcb2b arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 6; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">c</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xal98gn arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 16; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">4</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1hzvdaj" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 34; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">1</span><span class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xgeagd7" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 46; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">:</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1vqz4hg arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 33; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">0</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x2r4l8e" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 8; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;">s</span><span class="xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1iapmwa arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 9; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">f</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xccpzn3" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 58; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">A</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x7zgzr6 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 56; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">3</span><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xclvua8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 60; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">M</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1g88jzi arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 11; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">h</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1o7lsid arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 15; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">3</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1162wnf" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 25; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"> </span><span class="x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x182iqb8 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 4; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">7</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xdc8zo0 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 53; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">1</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1o75cna arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 49; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">3</span><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xt5e8co" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 17; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">e</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xv5skbt arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 30; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">4</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x8az3br arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 32; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">0</span><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xd1zjae arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 27; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">m</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x16kj9vd" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 22; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">d</span><span class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1xxvtuq arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 38; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">5</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1sjo555 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 10; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">4</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1pvdv19 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 45; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">i</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xsmz2so arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 37; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">8</span><span class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1wx7m7v arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 50; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">c</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1ocldi" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 12; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">t</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1h3rv7z arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 5; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">8</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xpchg7c" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 40; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;">0</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xi695je arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 14; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">9</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x8onsx5" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 48; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">4</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x4ffpxb arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 51; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">4</span><span class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x434fd" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 20; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">r</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x7txf1f" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 24; position: relative; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">y</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xnt8be4" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 29; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"> </span><span class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1n901it arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; order: 13; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">2</span><span class="x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x4pqqfc" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 54; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">7</span><span class="xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xax70vg arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 57; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">6</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x4g1k81 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 21; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">9</span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x1meexak" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 55; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"> </span><span class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xlmi2g5 arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 35; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">8</span><span class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 x13rv6gb" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 28; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">t</span><span class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xzfnrur arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: inherit; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; order: 42; position: absolute; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: inherit;">1</span><span class="x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5 xo1ph6p arhKlDOg mdt8" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; order: 3; position: absolute; text-decoration: inherit; top: 3em; transition-property: none !important;">7</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span class="xh99ass" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="xzpqnlu xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="animation-name: none !important; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important; width: 1px;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> · </span></span></span><div class="x6s0dn4 x3nfvp2 xl56j7k" style="align-items: center; animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; justify-content: center; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; animation-name: none !important; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; transition-property: none !important; width: inherit;"><span class="x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="xzpqnlu x179tack x10l6tqk" style="animation-name: none !important; clip-path: polygon(0px 0px, 0px 0px, 0px 0px, 0px 0px); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; position: absolute; transition-property: none !important;">Shared with Public</span><div aria-label="Edit privacy" class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1uhb9sk" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/819957842919947/?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-UK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">2024 AWP Conference</span></a></span> review</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Tie for best thrown together display on Bookfair tables, </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Homemade sign for a Lit Journal table that read, “Most of our poets are not dead.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Another was a table in which the cloth covering was anchored down by two 5 lbs bags of C&H Sugar, primpting me to ask, “Why graze from table to table on the free candy, when you can just infuse 5 lbs of sugar here?”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Other fun stuff- a metal box with window, random word magnets -complete your best poem in 6 to 8 words. They you have them framed in a little framed window box.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Keynote address by poet Jericho Brown was awesome. He was funny, charming, and raged against the danger and stupidity of book banning. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Biggest downfall of conference - no bags at registration, no program books. Signage about the convention center was poor/lacking which was exacerbated by not having the program books this year. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Persons I missed seeing <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/marybid?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Mary Biddinger</span></a></span>, who was in attendance but elusive, <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/susan.rich?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Susan Rich</span></a></span>, also present but I missed. <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/kelliagodon?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Kelli Russell Agodon</span></a></span>, who cancelled at last minute, <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/katmann?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Katie Manning</span></a></span>, who I missed to see a competing poetry reading and now wish I had gone to the one she was having. <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.l.davis1?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Amy Leigh Davis</span></a></span>, who I heard was coming but I did not see, and a host of others that I often get to see only at conference. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">It was especilly nice run into <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/erinelainerobertson?__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Erin Schaaf Robertson</span></a></span>, another alumnus if the Spring 2017 Writer to Writter Session and catch up on her work. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">A mammoth thank you to Peace Keenen for all her work on the Writer 2 Writer Conference reading. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">New poet’s work I was introduced to: Elise Paschen. Her words rang with a cadence that not only touches you, but clings with you long afterwords. I hope to see much more of her in the future. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Overall, the conference was positive, though it did feel a lot different than in the past. Maybe some of that was that I was in my home turf. Hard to put my finger on it for sure. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/awp24?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0">#AWP24</a></span>. <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/awpkc?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUpCVyCPr9-lXjkgLmG_adBBMspeSZQtDimQnDSCwPCSE3Eir9_3mdJEGjGe7kSzClyMn9Q8VoX3lokGv1bv96ofvQgOMsNDD7meO2Iu_-hu_DVSbTmAF3eLgn_VVr05EM&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0">#AWPKC</a></span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-57949465732838454482024-01-20T15:54:00.001-06:002024-01-20T15:54:29.347-06:00Kansas City Eats - AWP Edition Post # 3<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Taste Of Kansas City </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So if this is your first time visiting our fair city, I have a few eating establishments to call your attention to. We have a wide range of culinary options here, but I will start with something Kansas City is especially known for.- Bar-B-Que.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the downtown area a short drive from the conference and at the Arts Crossroad District is <b><a href="https://www.jackstackbbq.com/locations/freight-house" target="_blank">Jack Stack Bar-B-Que</a>. </b>The downtown location is </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4e7; text-align: center;"><span face="brandon-grotesque, sans-serif" style="color: #0b0b0b;"><span style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">converted historic Freight House with atmosphere to wow. 25-foot ceilings, fireplace lounge and full-service bar. This is a place I highly recommend. My personal favorites are the beef ribs and burnt ends. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4f4e7; text-align: center;"><span face="brandon-grotesque, sans-serif" style="color: #0b0b0b;"><span style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4f4e7; text-align: center;"><span face="brandon-grotesque, sans-serif" style="color: #0b0b0b;"><span style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">There are so many Barbecue locations across the city - I mean, that and Jazz are what we are known for. I would be remiss if I did not tell you about </span><b style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><a href="https://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/" target="_blank">Arthur Bryants Barbecue</a>. </b><span style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">Located at 1717 Brookland Ave in K.C. it is famous for BBQ fit for a President. It has over the years served Presidents Harry S Truman, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. Note, people don't go there for the esthetics, it's all about the food. President's have had it flown back to D.C. Burnt Ends are great, ribs are great, the only drawback is they don't have beef ribs but I will till eat Bryant's pork ribs any day.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4f4e7; text-align: center;"><span face="brandon-grotesque, sans-serif" style="color: #0b0b0b;"><span style="font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://johnnystavern.com/locations/johnnys-power-light-district/" style="background-color: white; color: #006699; font-family: "Trip Sans VF", "Trip Sans", Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Johnny's Power & Light District</span></a> <span style="font-size: large;"> I can attest to their food a wide variety. They are walking distance from my work, so I have dined there a few times. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="color: #006699; font-size: large;"><u><a href="https://www.yardhouse.com/">Yard House</a> </u> </span><span style="font-size: large;">at 1300 Main KCMO. </span><span style="color: #006699; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Cuisine is Amaracana </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><h2 class="qrShPb pXs6bb PZPZlf q8U8x aTI8gc PPT5v hNKfZe" data-attrid="title" data-dtype="d3ifr" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-ved="2ahUKEwjQg4qd8eyDAxW1hYkEHYdZBI0Q3B0oAHoECAgQAQ" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.34; margin: 0px 40px 0px 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="https://www.bucadibeppo.com/">Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant</a> - located in the Country Club Plaza district 310 W. 47th Street Another Personal Favorite for Italian Dining Ive dinned here many times.</h2><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 class="qrShPb pXs6bb PZPZlf q8U8x aTI8gc" data-attrid="title" data-dtype="d3ifr" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-ved="2ahUKEwj518-B8uyDAxV7ADQIHaq4CvoQ3B0oAHoECGUQAQ" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.meltingpot.com/kansas-city-mo/restaurant-menu.aspx" target="_blank">The Melting Pot </a> 450 Ward Parkway, KCMO This is another Cuntry Club Plaza location. I have not eaten here for some time, but ever time I've been there it has been a delightful experiance. </h2></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.mixxingitup.com/" target="_blank">The Mix </a> 4855 Main St. KCMO. If you like salads, (I do) the mix is a fun place to go. Build your own salad from seemingly endless options. This is Just South of the Country Club Plaza.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.thebrickkc.com/">The Brick</a> - 1727 McGee KCMO Great appetizers and main dishes. An array of Burgers and they have an onion block to die for. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.thephoenixkc.com/" target="_blank">The Phoenix</a> - 302 W. 8th KCMO. Jazz and great Food Nightly</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">#FoodKansas City. #FoodKC. #AWP24 #AWPKCMO</span></div>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-77204206414964433052024-01-15T11:30:00.004-06:002024-01-15T11:42:09.082-06:00AWP is Coming to Kansas City - Part 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_GjUlZyINiZzIQFk-SSRySGUqacKEue8cxlWf8h2MPEdk5y9fHRk3qHpTnsXHD_ssiCI4aqe885RulINqWlPIBH4mrckspvFbJZxwpqZB8PZu0pYj5jWHrKgMpIhTn7cj6UgZ0zEhLee0FgMHNtzJl70Ngi_Cayk5JnffFyF-bZ7ANKB-EEy/s320/awp24%20logo%20large.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="320" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_GjUlZyINiZzIQFk-SSRySGUqacKEue8cxlWf8h2MPEdk5y9fHRk3qHpTnsXHD_ssiCI4aqe885RulINqWlPIBH4mrckspvFbJZxwpqZB8PZu0pYj5jWHrKgMpIhTn7cj6UgZ0zEhLee0FgMHNtzJl70Ngi_Cayk5JnffFyF-bZ7ANKB-EEy/w732-h359/awp24%20logo%20large.png" width="732" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Kansas City is hosting the AWP Conference this year and I've waited for this since it was kicked aside over concerns related to the spread of Covid. Actually, I was waiting for it even before it was announced. Kansas City is an excellent site for the conference for several reasons (besides I won't have to fly in). </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We have excellent convention facilities.</li><li>Fantastic food.</li><li>Many unique sites to visit.</li></ul><div>Kansas City actually is a culturally rich city for the arts. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We have a world-class center for performing arts. The Kaufman Center for Performing Arts is just one of the jewels of the Arts in K.C. </li><li>South of the Kaufman Center is the Kansas Cities Arts District. An area of Private Galleries, Shops, Food, Bars and Coffee Shops. </li><li>East of the Downtown area you will find 18th and Vine. This area has a rich Jazz History and the Jazz Museum is yet another jewel of the city, </li><li>The Negro Leagues Museum is also in the 18th & Vine District. It shares a lobby with the Jazz Museum. </li><li>Kansas City has a famous shopping area called the Country Club Plaza. It's south of Kansas City. Unfortunately you you will be too late to see the miles of Christmas lights strung there and delighting visitors from Thanksgiving until just after the first of the year. </li><li>East of the Plaza is the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. You will see two buildings, the mamoth origional and a new venue on the same grounds that was designed for providing natural lighting for the art displays. Outside 0n the grounds is a sculpture garden and you will see the giant shuttlecocks which have become famous in KC.</li><li>North of the Convention Center you will find the Main branch of the Kansas City Public Libaray. This is worth seeing. Both the Parking garage with giant book spines and the elegent inside. It is a not just a functional library, but a spot that I recomend finding a book and getting comfortable in one of the many area you will find seating. </li><li>Slightly east of the Convention Center is the Power and Light - Foor, Drink -music and after sporting events often a spontanious party location. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx-Ujnv0uMOyOKv6m73uO8vvhnuwEyoR_6C0xKqKB-VLp7-INLdj6uG1MRyfbzMV39PZ-Eoc9UdcAWPmR61eJWvkX4UgA5wjdOAw_eO52y6WxeItGNfVame3S4YKyCYoLm-m2-H-usC4ymbHkgRvv5EGWvmKQWkCwIe57etEm5j9zuHxH2BtK/s141/Kaufman%20Center%20for%20Preforming%20Arts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="118" data-original-width="141" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx-Ujnv0uMOyOKv6m73uO8vvhnuwEyoR_6C0xKqKB-VLp7-INLdj6uG1MRyfbzMV39PZ-Eoc9UdcAWPmR61eJWvkX4UgA5wjdOAw_eO52y6WxeItGNfVame3S4YKyCYoLm-m2-H-usC4ymbHkgRvv5EGWvmKQWkCwIe57etEm5j9zuHxH2BtK/s1600/Kaufman%20Center%20for%20Preforming%20Arts.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>Kaufman Center for Preforming Arts</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTPN8fbhnAQYVnOJSipwLHqEcjzJ2Tp-956Xnjn5UQxz8iCFAP01Cf95cRuSGC1yPy3ehukAQVl87LXtcl1vb45LpwyQt52GW5UTn6dEIeY5Z-ws2lR1F7Cnj-zh2YQB75ExeAPuLIeFQ1QQjl2pth48a-7RAvkrGjV-Bp5qpfnf5dHAfV4PC/s800/jc-nichols-memorial-fountain.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTPN8fbhnAQYVnOJSipwLHqEcjzJ2Tp-956Xnjn5UQxz8iCFAP01Cf95cRuSGC1yPy3ehukAQVl87LXtcl1vb45LpwyQt52GW5UTn6dEIeY5Z-ws2lR1F7Cnj-zh2YQB75ExeAPuLIeFQ1QQjl2pth48a-7RAvkrGjV-Bp5qpfnf5dHAfV4PC/w307-h192/jc-nichols-memorial-fountain.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br /><div>J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain (east edge of Plaza)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_FvxuTCjx09HUSZRv8xHEmmCsEqhe54cFzUHnivikosymfHzUyvZvyAgnzo_XJt_SbEzURyTLm_IJd4eQmFasjWrTCw8a_JQgLpGJCXmZelb-ctlevAzQw51cdYJBPArJZNdDPf68k0DBsupLCVoHR1RfxwGxMuJ2PPlo74jBVSf3k_8w3RH/s212/Nelson%20Atkins%20Museum.Jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="212" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_FvxuTCjx09HUSZRv8xHEmmCsEqhe54cFzUHnivikosymfHzUyvZvyAgnzo_XJt_SbEzURyTLm_IJd4eQmFasjWrTCw8a_JQgLpGJCXmZelb-ctlevAzQw51cdYJBPArJZNdDPf68k0DBsupLCVoHR1RfxwGxMuJ2PPlo74jBVSf3k_8w3RH/s1600/Nelson%20Atkins%20Museum.Jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Nelson Atkins Museum</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxBeYV4PdkiVxcMY6K5yDOOTETrQvqtaD46Q2Kv5gd636GDKbgP89wSWxg9DiWNiu-LNxqUNUb1nrTAfjaaF0zt4wIDhw8T75x497_BrjbnBREw_3ZiayJJi1nftESodWbUChw2AeIiFiwIcuNMpe3Kanjiw29oGqYDSXi3NL6qLF2dGPLOgs/s284/American%20Jazz%20Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="284" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxBeYV4PdkiVxcMY6K5yDOOTETrQvqtaD46Q2Kv5gd636GDKbgP89wSWxg9DiWNiu-LNxqUNUb1nrTAfjaaF0zt4wIDhw8T75x497_BrjbnBREw_3ZiayJJi1nftESodWbUChw2AeIiFiwIcuNMpe3Kanjiw29oGqYDSXi3NL6qLF2dGPLOgs/s1600/American%20Jazz%20Museum.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>American Jazz Museum </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These are just a few of the many sites that I feel are noteworthy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next Up I will share information about notable places to eat. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>#AWP24. #AWPKC</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-74917178157438608742024-01-09T20:26:00.000-06:002024-01-09T20:26:01.938-06:00Confession Tuesday -Major Snow Edition <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmGF3n9VpZ5Swz6RiUWzUZSy-Xc9KZUypm3RdsycCiyN0eJZ6OEkdUnbUzKzpVMBom4b1CRqolY_xGCKmcpQii3M3nOhRD37_VyS7u7jlJb1jMC7XD2GwIGixbNPUisY_MITGXX2k7hQ5GkPlTU9gMWO3e1pmd1Ywi28ZmNLP3mmt-uc3z09U/s125/Jan1510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="125" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmGF3n9VpZ5Swz6RiUWzUZSy-Xc9KZUypm3RdsycCiyN0eJZ6OEkdUnbUzKzpVMBom4b1CRqolY_xGCKmcpQii3M3nOhRD37_VyS7u7jlJb1jMC7XD2GwIGixbNPUisY_MITGXX2k7hQ5GkPlTU9gMWO3e1pmd1Ywi28ZmNLP3mmt-uc3z09U/w254-h178/Jan1510.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Reader:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's been a week since my last confession. Come with me to the confessional. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This morning I awoke to major snow here in Kansas City. It Happens. This was the most severe of this winter. Our street was not plowed. It is a few blocks off a beaten path, but it is not on the city plow route and I think it is usually plowed by someone in the neighborhood. <b> I confess </b>that my efforts to get to work were stymied I got stuck at the other end of the block, and somewhere around an hour and a half later I got the car backed maybe 200 feet from the drive and was stuck again. Eventually, with two very nice neighbors, we got it back safely in our drive. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After exceeding my book reading goal by 1 book last year, I have upped my goal from 24 to 28 books. <b>I confess </b>I have finished the first of the year. A Biography on Frida Kahlo. She is a fascinating individual who endured enormous pain in her life and crafted art that was often reflective of her pain. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">AWP is coming fast. February 7th. <b>I confess </b>I can't believe how fast that seems to be closing in. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Last night I wrote a new draft poem, working late into the night. I have struggled the last few days to feel effective with my pen. I did three drafts and <b>I confess </b>I believe it is a keeper, however, it still requires a rewrite. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They have finally cleared the road out front, <b>I confess </b>I feel optimistic about getting to work tomorrow. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I confess </b>I recall being really angry about something but for the life of me, I cannot recall what it was. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That's about it for today, my friends. Until next time, be safe.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Best wishes,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Wells</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-57195513398166388052024-01-03T20:27:00.002-06:002024-01-03T20:27:21.901-06:00AWP Is COMING to KANSAS CITY PART 1<p> AWP IS COMING - FOLLOW THIS SERIES </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3KbrOYxy_HHLBBnDrr5gEpU92RLxLwTke5GrQDU3UW_pm_GeAZjLGaTNfgPSBo3vTSY_CLz7evpdC4SIFpwALMK6-gIWpdMN6ln00qSC4MTQtQzSdl0GNs8vyuwcG_jbEHWyqvUGruAVG1Tyr2mQzUiWCDUfL_RABBF76TPXyQmf2CX0Iv9T/s1080/awp24MichaeAllynlWells%5B18081%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3KbrOYxy_HHLBBnDrr5gEpU92RLxLwTke5GrQDU3UW_pm_GeAZjLGaTNfgPSBo3vTSY_CLz7evpdC4SIFpwALMK6-gIWpdMN6ln00qSC4MTQtQzSdl0GNs8vyuwcG_jbEHWyqvUGruAVG1Tyr2mQzUiWCDUfL_RABBF76TPXyQmf2CX0Iv9T/w400-h400/awp24MichaeAllynlWells%5B18081%5D.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>#AWPreading </p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-55519808547185625102024-01-02T19:46:00.004-06:002024-01-02T19:46:56.051-06:00Confession Tuesday January 2, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCXEAtjujxyv4rhgJYuCd09iE2A188nB9aTOrmoWfslcJ9XRCXx1mOrh2456OyLjIkvS35pq8QV0mpxX27CuvmkpbqQ_-QKpeMGabqVPPef9Xfx47Y14r06cxE3NNPYtSaTzxOCstu1e_wxaD3OJu_SXm0rso0ukcQ79Aarab1UXxLyCcRgV/s127/confe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="93" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCXEAtjujxyv4rhgJYuCd09iE2A188nB9aTOrmoWfslcJ9XRCXx1mOrh2456OyLjIkvS35pq8QV0mpxX27CuvmkpbqQ_-QKpeMGabqVPPef9Xfx47Y14r06cxE3NNPYtSaTzxOCstu1e_wxaD3OJu_SXm0rso0ukcQ79Aarab1UXxLyCcRgV/w170-h232/confe.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My Friends:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a fallen-away confessor, I am back. I don't have nearly enough digits to count the weeks since I was last in this confessional. I might have given enough for the months, but let's just agree it has been too long.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>I confess </b>that today was kind of a slow day at work and it drug on till all of a sudden, I realized it was 4:16 PM and I knew I could make it to the end. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I actually met and exceeded my reading goal for the month by one book. I <b>confess I</b> was shocked that I reached it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Believe it or not, poetry was not my number-one reading genre this year. Now I don't count the Poetry books I go back to from time to time for inspiration or to explore what some poets are doing about ampersands, form, etc. I reread parts of many poetry books throughout the year and these are in addition to my totals to meet my goal challenge.<b> I confess </b>I really enjoy memoirs. I think it was Mary Kerr, the poet and essayist that turned me on. to Memoirs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>I confess </b>that I periodically pinch myself every time I remember AWP is in Kansas City this year. I will do a series of AWP-related posts in the next couple of weeks, so put on your seat belts and get ready. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm sorry folks, <b>I confess </b>that's all for today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, and check back soon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">#AWP #ConfessionTuesday #Reading2023</span></p><p><br /></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-50821163332427016242024-01-01T11:42:00.000-06:002024-01-01T11:42:14.068-06:002023 Is History - Welcome to 2024<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Small Victories </span></p><p>I ended up reading 25 books last year. My goal was 24. </p><p>What's more, I expanded the reading genres considerably. I generally read mostly poetry, biographies, and memoirs. This is how my reading broke down :</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Memoir 8</li><li>Novels 7</li><li>Poetry 6</li><li>Historical / Political 2</li><li>Biography 2</li></ul><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This Past Week</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">wrote a new draft of a Candlestick poem</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">rewrote another Candlestick poem</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Reading some articles in Rge Weiter's Chronicle. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Listened to an interview with Ada Lemoine </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Watching too much coverage of news. </span></li></ul><div><span><!--more--></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Things I Am So Over</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Blatant misuse of the word anti-sematic </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">News about Nikki Haily - She is an apologist for Trump. She has a flawed view of American history. Her time in the State Department was an example of incompetence.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Tommy Tupperville - I should not have to explain the gross ignorance that informs his lack of poor decisions on our military and security in America.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Jim Jordan. Two words-- dumb liar.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Clearance Thomas. Why is he still in power? </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Vladamir Putin. War Criminal</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Netanyahu (I've been done with him for years) War Criminal</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaker Mike Johnson - election denier, and climate skeptic.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Elon Musk and X </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">#ThingsSoOver #Reading in 2023</span></div><p></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-43007036585837129902023-06-24T19:02:00.000-05:002023-06-24T19:02:01.709-05:00Books Read so far this year<p> </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Tradition - Jericho Brown</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Deathbed Sext - Christopher Salerno</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Rough Draft: AMemoir - Katy Tur</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Lit - Mary Karr</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Lincoln in the Bardo - George Saunders</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">And We Stay - Jenny Hubbard</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom - Sylvia Plath</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Art of Memoir - Mary Karr</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Bird Songs in Literature: Bird Songs and the Poems They Have Inspired - Joseph Wood Krutch</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath - Heather Clark</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln - Doris Kearns Goodwin</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin - Kip Wilson</span></li></ol><div>* these I have finished there are a number I am still reading at this time. </div><p></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-77604234973183499942023-04-09T16:05:00.001-05:002023-04-09T16:05:07.228-05:00Poet Interviews I Saw this Week<p> This week I watched several video interviews with two poets. Actually multiple interviews with each one. </p><p>The poets were Jorie Graham and Mary Karr. I have not read Graham for a while but my exposure to her in the past has been with fascination toward her work. I did not know that she was raised outside the United States. </p><p>The second poet I looked for interviews with was Mary Karr. There were several interviews a couple of short ones and two longer ones. My interest in Karr is twofold. As a poet and a memoir writer, I have developed an interest in this genre over the past three or 4 years. </p><p>Karr is a captivating individual whose conversation is very easygoing and especially witty. If I got nothing else out of the interviews, the entertainment value alone would make it worth the time. </p><p>But Karr's interest in biographical reading on writers is similar to that of my own. I suppose, like Kerr, that is what has given way to interest in memoirs. The fact that she considers herself foremost a poet in spite of successful books of prose on memoirs makes me feel it is okay to explore the possibilities.</p><p>Karr comes across as quite authentic and hysterically funny. The humor is what has convinced me that she is totally cool with herself talking in public. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaQ-xYSa24rk38JneBFjJZYBM9zerXPdrHtkoc9t560jEIsZURbO6MM8CNAcDH3FTgWXQhR-3tqWPUDz7COY-AeAwILybYoDYBkR1P8xL0AGWYubmnoD-OAakLLs6ymnIuf81NoXfFhYoa_x7CvFZX_dQLmQG1VlHm7_jpjdy8yvg_t6rnw/s243/Jorie_Graham_2007_(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="220" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaQ-xYSa24rk38JneBFjJZYBM9zerXPdrHtkoc9t560jEIsZURbO6MM8CNAcDH3FTgWXQhR-3tqWPUDz7COY-AeAwILybYoDYBkR1P8xL0AGWYubmnoD-OAakLLs6ymnIuf81NoXfFhYoa_x7CvFZX_dQLmQG1VlHm7_jpjdy8yvg_t6rnw/s1600/Jorie_Graham_2007_(2).png" width="220" /></a></div><br />Jorie Graham</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV2u1Yj77QqeNxYz9DadQt8-aLM_Ooxu02SbFLcxcIRTcrNOpl_QY4HY1atOBySD8KuuxcJDpS2SE1DPR7KjLD-6nHsvhaLsK7s2wOUWCMZdv6mRtOr6u_AXiZ_A-LZ_1m4D5m5xPW1S9UGCpD0lc7sLvKUidwMdw6-ZBUJ6YN6WQde47oQ/s228/MaryKarr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="228" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV2u1Yj77QqeNxYz9DadQt8-aLM_Ooxu02SbFLcxcIRTcrNOpl_QY4HY1atOBySD8KuuxcJDpS2SE1DPR7KjLD-6nHsvhaLsK7s2wOUWCMZdv6mRtOr6u_AXiZ_A-LZ_1m4D5m5xPW1S9UGCpD0lc7sLvKUidwMdw6-ZBUJ6YN6WQde47oQ/s1600/MaryKarr.jpg" width="228" /></a></div> <p></p><p> Mary Karr</p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-55657946563266642382023-03-19T13:56:00.002-05:002023-03-19T13:56:26.779-05:00AWP 2023 From Home or SWAG in a Box<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CRIMELu9TFT2kMn92W7FXWzLk8cXN7SANY7R2majPxzKJRU9Hb8c2fwHET2WXkbsLBdoTKF5kRNHkytN4H1i4yLcSjid38OMdT-t8hb9sUVbMtz7lHdxMdIxGbBSLruudwRS4cbZ8fp10pIb4dyGfOPgR13ANNIqa_BCkMcv3PsSR0o4TQ/s640/AWP%20SAWG%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CRIMELu9TFT2kMn92W7FXWzLk8cXN7SANY7R2majPxzKJRU9Hb8c2fwHET2WXkbsLBdoTKF5kRNHkytN4H1i4yLcSjid38OMdT-t8hb9sUVbMtz7lHdxMdIxGbBSLruudwRS4cbZ8fp10pIb4dyGfOPgR13ANNIqa_BCkMcv3PsSR0o4TQ/w311-h352/AWP%20SAWG%202023.jpg" width="311" /></span></a></div><br />As my regular readers know I did not attend AWP in Seattle this year. Instead, I did the Virtual Conference.<p></p><p>The virtual conference for me this year was a flop. It was not worth the discounted price. </p><p>I did this weekend receive a SWAG care package from my friend and poetry author Marianne Mersereall AKA Wild Honey Creations. She knows how much I look forward to the swag at each conference, something that doesn't come with the virtual Conference, I have to thank Marianne for this kind deed. Not only a selection of Conference swag but some personal notes on recommended publishers for my work as well Thank you so much! (((big hug)))</p><p>My eye surgery has greatly improved my sight and cut down on eye strain and headaches. Working during the day, generally on the computer quite a bit, and coming home it was hard to get back on for school work and writing as well. My good eye, which my doctor says will go the same was as my vision in the right eye was before it was corrected will be going the same way. We will do that one at the end of the month. </p><p>I just want to say one more thing about the virtual conference. There was simply so much that was not available. I tuned into some streaming and pre-recorded conference panels. They were not the ones I wanted to see, and they were honestly not that impressive to me. Perhaps the subject matter had something to do with it, but again, I could just not get the panels I wanted. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>#AWP23</p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-43737534430607772962023-03-05T18:19:00.001-06:002023-03-05T18:19:33.619-06:00Conferencing from Home This Time Hopefully With Improved Eye Sight <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtEJQaC5rqUOSxULWTRG5OwW29PaGd9YYkVyTgE7EZ6onjjcXngUbt_8F2WjjnQ9suLFfvyvYeiPefBBfZhFxf6sPkmRxZgJW2zAZWslUpooRddZt3VdPziw6TehD_1za0qTkPyKc9apHj9wHClcc1vcr1oj4-lBKxgVCQ47-VxaI2nPbQw/s225/AWP%20Seattle%202023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtEJQaC5rqUOSxULWTRG5OwW29PaGd9YYkVyTgE7EZ6onjjcXngUbt_8F2WjjnQ9suLFfvyvYeiPefBBfZhFxf6sPkmRxZgJW2zAZWslUpooRddZt3VdPziw6TehD_1za0qTkPyKc9apHj9wHClcc1vcr1oj4-lBKxgVCQ47-VxaI2nPbQw/s1600/AWP%20Seattle%202023.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: medium;">This is the week that <a href="https://www.awpwriter.org/" target="_blank">AWP opens in Seattle</a>. The Annual Writers Pilgrimage to whatever Mecca is selected for that year. Seattle it is. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is also the week I have eye surgery on my right eye. That happens Tuesday the 8th. As a result, my AWP will be virtual this year. This is disappointing because I know many poets and writers in the Pacific Northwest. And, I've never been to Seattle. I get many excellent views of the area's natural beauty in pictures, but that only makes me want to see it more. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I did make the Portland AWP so many of those people were there and then some make the event every year so those people you can count on looking up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I will miss the conference. I will miss the people, the sights, the book bargains, and I will miss the swag. Hopefully, I will be able to get to soak up some of the knowledge and benefit my craft virtually, </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Did I say I will miss the swag? Crazy buttons, promotional material from presses, and lit journals. Who knows what brilliant ideas people will have this year. There are always some oldies but goodies that you will see each year that have been done specifically for AWP 23 One of my favorite from the past was the do not disturb door hanger with cute writing-related quotes on it, like <b style="font-style: italic;">go away I'm writing my fucking memoir. </b> Oh wait, that was a sticker, but still. And various temporary tattoos.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you have never been to one of these let me tell you, they are:</span></p><p><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Engagingly fun</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Highly rejuvenating of ideas and commitmentRemarkable at stimulating new ideas and reestablishing work desire</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">A mammoth networking opportunity</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Significantly draining - but if you are counting steps, oh boy, what a win</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Invaluable contacts with publishers and editors</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Exposure to thousands of books</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Did I say draining? It is physically draining for sure. If you are on the introverted side, the crowd can be especially overwhelming as well. Take a break if you need to. There are seats everywhere. Skip a presentation if you need to some are recorded. I've been to four or five of them, losing count, but they are worth it. I usually take the day after I come back off just to get my head and body working together again.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If this is your first conference or even your 23rd (kudos, I don't know anyone who has been to all of them). Drop me a note or add a comment and share your experience Anyway, best wishes to all going. Be safe and have a great conference. Next year is Kansas City, my town.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">#AWP23</span></div>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-75418434145736839302023-02-14T18:54:00.002-06:002023-02-14T18:54:19.243-06:00Confession Tuesday - Joy and Sadness Issue <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y3dxG86u9EfSpE5pEdbwVF8W29-k5y3UbI0oOmDimIVw5LJ30gmgucw9Bz7-td6vrYYg2NJIBXabiLvvdGWOQWmZbN452b5Y185WZOe_NNSTmKi9let6cEYdhTYwzovM4WhBPbzMY8UM-vs4b6LSQ_Fo1fVVH5nMIh6YHZdI4LhmbqzC8w/s130/confessional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="130" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y3dxG86u9EfSpE5pEdbwVF8W29-k5y3UbI0oOmDimIVw5LJ30gmgucw9Bz7-td6vrYYg2NJIBXabiLvvdGWOQWmZbN452b5Y185WZOe_NNSTmKi9let6cEYdhTYwzovM4WhBPbzMY8UM-vs4b6LSQ_Fo1fVVH5nMIh6YHZdI4LhmbqzC8w/w320-h271/confessional.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Dear Reader:<p></p><p>Let's hurry to the confessional... </p><p>It's been one submission, a whole week of Grind Poems (if you don't know what this is, just ask), One bad eye (right), a fair amount of squinting, A SuperBowl win for Kansas City, two new ink colors in my fountain pen, Another episode of Shrinks, a day with both joy and sadness, one journal bits post on my web site, one load of Laundry, and one week since my last Tuesday Confession. </p><p>Reader, I confess that I could not make it through the week without a second blog post as I stated last Tuesday that I would try and start doing. In my defense, I did add a post to my Poet's Notes on my website which is kind of a blog. I know, that's a lame effort to get off the hook.</p><p>I confess also that I am religiously using Combigan on my eyes and that I believe it makes some difference one day and not so much the next. Dr. Appt is coming up on the 20th. </p><p>I confess enjoy the Apple TV series Shrinks. Seeing Harrison Ford act again is good. Both his age and health are showing through. </p><p>It's 6:30 PM and I confess this day has gone from <i>euphoric joy </i>to <i>deep sadness</i>. After this, the remainder of my even plans will likely be scuttled in exchange for going to bed. I'm not tired, and I don't expect to sleep - I just don't have the desire to face anything else tonight. </p><p>I confess I need to write about 5 new poems with some emphasis on <i>night </i>for my manuscript. I was going to talk with someone about this today for maybe some new angles for them. </p><p>I confess I will not be going to the Super Bowl parade tomorrow. That many people downtown drinking and likely seven sheets to the wind when they arrive sure looks to me like a recipe for disaster.</p><p>I'm not kidding when I say that I believe the manuscript will be ready to pass it out to a few people to look it over soon. I confess I really see this happening. Probably no later than the end of April. </p><p>I'm afraid I'm at the end of the line for this post. Let me say that I wish you all the best in the week ahead, and be especially safe. Life is precious. Everyone's. </p><p><br /></p><p>All best!</p><p><br /></p><p>Michael</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-72443790031357140032023-02-07T20:43:00.001-06:002023-02-07T20:43:19.352-06:00Confession Tuesday-- Introverts edition <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBcJ0pOs4Ea2gqDHO1k9KF7wh-9yBKZgBcailE9mky-BiA6i55-UXyGbepgMIcxor3dtUpA_Izm3p9zG6kBC_ulnbxeONvpbmoAyd5wFRuFMiqryFkXX3mBDjQCi1d_qZpMKTgoqsgdGEqO-U2IZMvQGe8ZRAQyYKFAGR_vb27MiIyr-aQg/s512/unnamed-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBcJ0pOs4Ea2gqDHO1k9KF7wh-9yBKZgBcailE9mky-BiA6i55-UXyGbepgMIcxor3dtUpA_Izm3p9zG6kBC_ulnbxeONvpbmoAyd5wFRuFMiqryFkXX3mBDjQCi1d_qZpMKTgoqsgdGEqO-U2IZMvQGe8ZRAQyYKFAGR_vb27MiIyr-aQg/w254-h254/unnamed-3.png" width="254" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear Reader:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's been one rejection letter, three episodes of Shrinking on Apple TV, another week writing poems for the Grind ( if you don't know what that is just ask me), Numerous excruciating starts to new poems, 7 days worth feeling in the grip of darkness, and One week since my last Confession.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me start dear reader by saying that I am troubled. Do you know what singularity is? No, not that one. Singularity has to do with AI. As in artificial intelligence. Singularity is when parity is achieved between humans and AI. For some, this is an outstanding achievement. We've made a new life form that replicates what humans can do. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It can write your thesis. Draft a court brief, create art, write music, etc. Of course, to do this tons of data has to be fed into the system so for example, it can duplicate brush strokes, or know the general parameters needed to prepare a given legal document. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the example of art, for instance, there is a class-action suit already against a company that has an AI art generator. It has collected samples over the years of a couple of artists, Suddenly, it offered a subscription in which you could use the site to access their AI feature and create artwork. Suddenly, all of the pieces of the artwork uploaded on the site were making them money, but not the artists whose work they used. They get nadda. Nothing. Zilch.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I confess that I find this very disturbing. And what about people turning in college work done by AI? I see the ethical and economic pitfalls of this as frightening. But I will just leave this here for now. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Writers are solitary people. Many are introverts. Many of us will write for example "dark poetry" and people, often friends will ask why do you do that? It comes. with the territory. It's not that I don't write anything uplifting or joyous, it is just sometimes we are lost in a web of darkness in our life. I'm trying to work my way through one such week or more. It's not. that I don't try to write pieces that are not dark, it is more like I am just not really feeling good about the positive stuff that comes out during such periods. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I ran across the quote pictured above this week and I have to confess it seemed to strike a chord with me. Loneliness to the point, your shadow has left you in the dark. It's not a good place to be. for very long. Even if you are an introvert.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking of introverts, I saw an article today that while it has been a long-held belief that businesses prefer to hire extroverts, there is a growing trend by many businesses to take a second look at what introverts bring to the workplace. The thought process of introverts is different from extroverts. For one thing, Introverts have thicker gray matter in the frontal lobe. There appears more brain activity in this area. Introverts can often stay in pursuit of a solution to a problem more than extroverts. It's an interesting nuance between the two.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Color my mind this week as that of curiosity. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope everyone has a joyous week and will see you soon. I promise I will be writing more on here again. My goal is twice a week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Very best to you all -</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-12458932040728969222023-01-31T18:43:00.000-06:002023-01-31T18:43:31.563-06:00Confession Tuesday Loneliness Edition <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jHjqJg1MlfE5j7z_V7wDr9XNYycFX8xwp0d8RiT6jedYw-6CdJy5PixZWnHSjZg9ElDJn6WASCGhZ0gMg-H4F4irC5kfcBZIGJa77a1O28iejyCpBWtGnUqbHj42cO6U_4libbSoqWQ6phvE7_U8xlhSKsoV-wr5lj8-uRXaZPtTNPAYiA/s116/confessiom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="87" data-original-width="116" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jHjqJg1MlfE5j7z_V7wDr9XNYycFX8xwp0d8RiT6jedYw-6CdJy5PixZWnHSjZg9ElDJn6WASCGhZ0gMg-H4F4irC5kfcBZIGJa77a1O28iejyCpBWtGnUqbHj42cO6U_4libbSoqWQ6phvE7_U8xlhSKsoV-wr5lj8-uRXaZPtTNPAYiA/w320-h240/confessiom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">It’s Confession Tuesday – hurry, I’m off to the confessional. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Dear Reader, it’s been… it’s been. Oh. crap I don’t know how long since my last Tuesday Confession.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Writing is said to be a rather <i>solitary</i> activity. It is true and sometimes that presents itself as an act of deprivation… a self-denial of social interaction for some periods of time. I confess it can lead to the loneliness that sometimes creeps up on you and you feel overcome by it all at once. I suppose it is a bit like the frog in the pan of water on the stove that you slowly keep turning up until it is too late.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Today has been like a lot of days lately. I realize that expectations aren’t anything but expectations. Or if they are anything else, then they are often preludes to disappointments. I confess that I had expectations and I confess I was disappointed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">It should come as no surprise that I would experience disappointment. I’m a writer after all. It goes with the territory. If you can’t take rejection, then you are in the wrong business. I confess that I expect that in my writing, but not so much outside of it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">I confess I’ve had a string of days that were difficult and have left me feeling low.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Have been experiencing some eye issues in my right eye. Need to get in to see the eye doctor and see how bad it is and what can be done. The problem is mostly that it is blurry and makes reading frustrating and that takes me back to the days before I had cataract surgery. I must confess that this has been both worrisome and frustrating.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">I confess that my birthday writing pen is a joy to write with. Smooth and well-balanced. Lightweight, and I love the color.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">My iPhone case is looking pretty raggedy, and I need a new one. At some point, it will happen. I’m particular, I like this case and it was really good for some time. I confess to liking the Apple cases – the white silicone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">In the I feel so stupid Department: I confess I have downloaded a writing program and have tinkered with it now for a few days now, and honestly, there are parts of it I don't get. Some of the drop-down menus do nothing. I can't put anything on the calendar. Color me stupid. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">I have tried to stay off Google as best I can because it has so many articles on Elon Musk. I confess I believe he is Trump’s twin. I feel he is arrogant, and narcissistic to be fair. For all the talk about his wealth, he has some of the worst public business image issues. I also am so tired of seeing all his coverage on social media. Tons of it rolling in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;">I hope that your day was a good one and the remainder of your week as well. Until next time be safe and write or read lots.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 15.6933px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"> </p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-42508820849337033092023-01-23T19:47:00.004-06:002023-01-23T19:47:52.641-06:00January - Birthday - Fountain Pen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwywvj92Q-CTk0qnSabo3qHHdjuFKPQfb6l-O8jIXRkBuwwg0KoSMKwWnhiCflfusGQmrhUY94PpOte5Mm_HZXJeb4wxUH8-t6RPaZIsrUCk_CJYW91O3H04vQuvi1ewodiw083ZprpS3Rwv0uR-AH-Six_jue9w8bDLxGJyB1c4mlZzjh6A/s320/fountainpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwywvj92Q-CTk0qnSabo3qHHdjuFKPQfb6l-O8jIXRkBuwwg0KoSMKwWnhiCflfusGQmrhUY94PpOte5Mm_HZXJeb4wxUH8-t6RPaZIsrUCk_CJYW91O3H04vQuvi1ewodiw083ZprpS3Rwv0uR-AH-Six_jue9w8bDLxGJyB1c4mlZzjh6A/s1600/fountainpen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pictured to the left is my new pen, MaJohn 800. It's lightweight with good balance and especially comfortable for long writing stints. I love the physical appearance as well. A sort of orange and black marbled color. This beauty was a birthday gift from my daughter, Cathy Ann.</span><br /><h2 autofocus="true" class="aQJpb" jsname="ZOnBqe" role="heading" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 3; background-color: white; color: #202124; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "Google Sans Medium", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px; margin: 18px 0px 10px 16px; max-width: 80%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: height 0.5s ease 0s;" tabindex="0">Perfect for journaling, and handwritten poetry drafts. I still do that from time to time till I take a draft to the laptop. </h2><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finished reading <i>Deathbed Sext</i> by Christopher Salerno, 2020, <i>Two Sylvia's Press</i>. This was a winner of TSP Chapbook competition. There are some remarkable lines in this poetry. It is rich with dissonance (something I love) throughout the book. Personally, I felt its strength was in individual poems and not so much as a cohesive manuscript, but that was just my opinion. </span></div>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-8076587666461602892022-12-31T14:29:00.006-06:002022-12-31T14:29:46.757-06:00Great P & W Issues Is Out <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR7xd69qjyIy7jLQHvURslo_S5nkdTEXn49tjQfzSrFpJ82ccI2dddCj7fXOmRQGawEykekWnd7LEvREcFS8ng9AOTqM4k3u7k4JKW0u6lQvyEf59xXBrS6pZraOhORpbspzxsO-L4qZvJF3JwT-4X3ftsuDxN2ojO1q-z1pM5tPJe5Ghzg/s320/IMG_2125%5B95%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR7xd69qjyIy7jLQHvURslo_S5nkdTEXn49tjQfzSrFpJ82ccI2dddCj7fXOmRQGawEykekWnd7LEvREcFS8ng9AOTqM4k3u7k4JKW0u6lQvyEf59xXBrS6pZraOhORpbspzxsO-L4qZvJF3JwT-4X3ftsuDxN2ojO1q-z1pM5tPJe5Ghzg/s1600/IMG_2125%5B95%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> For untold years I have looked to Poets and Writers Magazine as a central source of poetry/writing-related craft information. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The most recent has an excellent section on inspiration with lots of great suggestions. It also has the annual debut poets' article that examines some of this year's breakout poets with new books. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I recommend P&W in general, but this issue is great. </span></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-48641697533071560082022-12-25T19:07:00.003-06:002022-12-25T19:09:03.690-06:00December 25th - Universal Thoughts <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbuXy5Yy7G9_p38-MMVqem5jZShIhd3x78a9LprlHOH00RJCefVQTxFRIUjz2XJXHqUUnrQpOeJj9FBlF6WUgBCb0pyixBgeZ8TcOVz9wP9TRY2nWIupZyeHLJiaNxdoaTd0dRwsI-ZeY2qIvs3I9HvTdHjmA_faUtf31BgtVpSdE2y0C6g/s1645/20171006_223226.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1645" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbuXy5Yy7G9_p38-MMVqem5jZShIhd3x78a9LprlHOH00RJCefVQTxFRIUjz2XJXHqUUnrQpOeJj9FBlF6WUgBCb0pyixBgeZ8TcOVz9wP9TRY2nWIupZyeHLJiaNxdoaTd0dRwsI-ZeY2qIvs3I9HvTdHjmA_faUtf31BgtVpSdE2y0C6g/w320-h227/20171006_223226.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div>We can look upward and see space, such as it is. Seemingly endless. Certainly, it continues beyond our naked eye, or even so, the distance from which man has been able to extend his current technological and scientific exploration beyond. <div><br /></div><div>The vastness can boggle our minds as we consider the magnitude of what is unknown to man. People will sometimes say, "How do you know there is a God?" I say look at that vastness and tell me there is not. Tell me this whole universe is some accident. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thing about writers is, we tend to be observant and we are all curious people. Which either is a result of our observations or vice-versa. You cannot be a writer and not ask questions. Even if only within our own heads, we are constantly contemplating different slants or views of things. </div><div><br /></div><div>I realize there are some famous writers that deny the existence of God beyond a man-made creation, But if so, how did man create God before our own existence? Explain our mere existence outside of the realm of God's creation. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did not intend this to be a great debate about the existence of God, but an observation that to me supports that we live in a marvelously wonderful universe, notwithstanding the significant level of abuse man has manifested upon our own planet.</div><div><br /></div><div>No matter who you raise your voice in prayer to, take a moment (or more) to praise this masterpiece that God has created us and then made us a part of. Pray that we may be better stewards of our planet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Peace to all~</div><div><br /></div><div>Shalom </div><div>Salaam </div><div>Peace</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><p></p><p> </p></div></div>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-70695231872303857742022-12-24T13:00:00.000-06:002022-12-24T13:00:00.185-06:00Peace - Hope - Love<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibuIygVVStFwiVlWQpzMh1r2YE_Awc2gq-L7wPrnucYiQJO0nebQESAFFlRVs0mYPlmBicy97QL-enZutmqHzNnDRKEJXhE6J_gR6TjODDpXnxeg46I99XGdXGQ6pEiy7U6UiKeHVvRE2Brf7RTxCoSxpI1UX3X432qB9FaHWCD7HliSmFA/s254/mixed-ethnic-hands-love-clip-art-vector_csp10271468.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="247" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibuIygVVStFwiVlWQpzMh1r2YE_Awc2gq-L7wPrnucYiQJO0nebQESAFFlRVs0mYPlmBicy97QL-enZutmqHzNnDRKEJXhE6J_gR6TjODDpXnxeg46I99XGdXGQ6pEiy7U6UiKeHVvRE2Brf7RTxCoSxpI1UX3X432qB9FaHWCD7HliSmFA/s1600/mixed-ethnic-hands-love-clip-art-vector_csp10271468.webp" width="247" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">This season, no matter who you call God</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">lift up your thoughts and prayers for </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Peace </span>for Love and for Hope. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have the ability given us, from on high </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to reach out to others and be the voice of </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the silenced. To offer hope to those in need.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our commandment to love above all else</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">is central to the relationship of spirituality</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">between God and the people of all nations. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May we war no more. May violence have </span><span style="font-size: large;">no </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>hold on us. May we understand the </span><span>meaning </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">of being brothers and sisters in this world.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-67913485775112700702022-12-14T19:15:00.000-06:002022-12-14T19:15:05.723-06:00Still Time for 2022 - Submissions<p> Submitted 5 poems tonight. Go little poems. Find homes. </p><p><br /></p><p># Submissions</p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-86910356597412988332022-10-30T11:51:00.000-05:002022-10-30T11:51:03.485-05:0090% of Writing...<p><span style="background-color: #f7f7f4; color: #444444; font-weight: 900; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“Writing is 90 percent procrastination: reading magazines, eating cereal out of the box, watching infomercials.”</span></span><span class="who" style="background-color: #f7f7f4; border: 0px; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 0.75em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">—Paul Rudnick</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZSp-chbkejTUboX1CmQvQD8W9uaXhSQv4J5cELQ5skUiHEQEBmWj6PN4uSkM_wDVUj2YxNud7wWnZ_6KtyQ2B9W1IEDZVwLklhL1lQrnpPFdM_VPnoHGaJnwtBio4o2aJTO1acCWivh9t7pn-bIgAFAfljNbN3IxsacviHlI3pAal33SVA/s640/Libelle_fp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZSp-chbkejTUboX1CmQvQD8W9uaXhSQv4J5cELQ5skUiHEQEBmWj6PN4uSkM_wDVUj2YxNud7wWnZ_6KtyQ2B9W1IEDZVwLklhL1lQrnpPFdM_VPnoHGaJnwtBio4o2aJTO1acCWivh9t7pn-bIgAFAfljNbN3IxsacviHlI3pAal33SVA/w320-h110/Libelle_fp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-90305799579252247302022-10-16T17:15:00.003-05:002022-10-16T17:15:52.600-05:00The Light, The Dark, And The Inbetween <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7UvHCJxH-ApVuc6Y0s28-Ejxsx6kCnnD66dVCzYmoiKVp6b4E8dT3VcgZdTLZm0XaAz6nbcrCutltTzk58RcpTUlzRCL7wAlYXX1wNUL6INk_oDEeFDjclC5F5gUZMCR-t5RF9Om6v8iPv_Sn9VgVSPFUgsEali1qrPhPcs3HbFgxOnpYQ/s4128/20170311_210314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7UvHCJxH-ApVuc6Y0s28-Ejxsx6kCnnD66dVCzYmoiKVp6b4E8dT3VcgZdTLZm0XaAz6nbcrCutltTzk58RcpTUlzRCL7wAlYXX1wNUL6INk_oDEeFDjclC5F5gUZMCR-t5RF9Om6v8iPv_Sn9VgVSPFUgsEali1qrPhPcs3HbFgxOnpYQ/s320/20170311_210314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sometimes it is hard to remember that our lives revolve around darkness and light. We can sometimes feel darkness overtaking us, even in the light of day. <p></p><p>Poets are often accused of living in a dark persona and there are many who spend a fair amount of time in the darker realm. But not all poets do, and if they do, it is not always an ongoing condition. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNRfUwla66h83LF412KgO9mC_D0wfc7tQ1Wt0cn65LbowNR4cC8twmuUJrZhH_hF4BZOKxcNHOpVyA4jqpI-QjBsGArLUWqBu-Nd4WOxSMbP2QCSBKk0dRMW7DagucmCA-xsj-gI2jvo-HRBlYxqj0ULxX5TMBkd8XiZvkhWqZGH3_S5y_A/s4128/20171006_222126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNRfUwla66h83LF412KgO9mC_D0wfc7tQ1Wt0cn65LbowNR4cC8twmuUJrZhH_hF4BZOKxcNHOpVyA4jqpI-QjBsGArLUWqBu-Nd4WOxSMbP2QCSBKk0dRMW7DagucmCA-xsj-gI2jvo-HRBlYxqj0ULxX5TMBkd8XiZvkhWqZGH3_S5y_A/s320/20171006_222126.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>I do think poets can actually tend to be melancholy or downright depressed at times. Today, I am experiencing a darker side, myself. Also a loss of optimism. These things happen and I find it best to monitor them because it is important not to take up residence for too long in your day-to-day life. <p></p><p>Currently, I am feeling pessimistic, as well as down. It would be nice to salvage some joy from this day. I'm open to a better disposition, but I am wrangled up in anxiety, and concern for another person. These are things that I do not really have control over, but they are significant and they are real</p><p>The extremes of light and darkness have a catchment area in between in which shades of grayscale can occupy. </p><p>I'm trying not to be too overwhelmed by all this, and there is a chance it could dissipate overnight, Or I could awake to it worse in the morning. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>#light #dark #poetmoods Mode presently: worried, sad, anxious, alone</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-89620037683983543462022-09-20T06:16:00.006-05:002022-09-20T06:16:00.185-05:00CONFESSION TUESDAY - 50th CLASS REUNION SOUTHWEST HIGH - KC, MO<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxVJPJo7WXe1-jTULhYEIFNOsfWpazmvT0vJe95uqffws5POGIlHOVJD4PdAglo9tTwD7HdiBI1sSkAJ5-mHc2aNYvqqI-z4ElCm5jMdOkJv--OzEfSyCFyfLwa5nE21lIo173nHlFP-F3DhvQKQOmYc17ON5-q1uc8ulifOBjvaoQ2nxPQ/s4032/C7E12B17-3E3F-4C73-8296-156C77C67244.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxVJPJo7WXe1-jTULhYEIFNOsfWpazmvT0vJe95uqffws5POGIlHOVJD4PdAglo9tTwD7HdiBI1sSkAJ5-mHc2aNYvqqI-z4ElCm5jMdOkJv--OzEfSyCFyfLwa5nE21lIo173nHlFP-F3DhvQKQOmYc17ON5-q1uc8ulifOBjvaoQ2nxPQ/s320/C7E12B17-3E3F-4C73-8296-156C77C67244.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeJF_waF-yPD3GHEiA2-EfTQbGVtJDDehw2GbvHn_xAuCn9O2KGeqI3736Vyswvhiog04mItDlakPrjG2BhjzBprrczgpeychV8oSkvLfb9sCxkO0Od8xS_kHTdTU8liuWbrC3BBFztg95LcsvcdeRRyUEgcxCzaOYh9F3XtsDSFmhriIaw/s3088/E8852805-5029-44CD-ABF3-FE752518803E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeJF_waF-yPD3GHEiA2-EfTQbGVtJDDehw2GbvHn_xAuCn9O2KGeqI3736Vyswvhiog04mItDlakPrjG2BhjzBprrczgpeychV8oSkvLfb9sCxkO0Od8xS_kHTdTU8liuWbrC3BBFztg95LcsvcdeRRyUEgcxCzaOYh9F3XtsDSFmhriIaw/w150-h200/E8852805-5029-44CD-ABF3-FE752518803E.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well friends, another Confession Tuesday. This one covers my 50th High School Reunion. Friday, Saturday and Sunday classmates from the 1972 Southwest High School gathered and celebrated the high 50.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had not attended any of my other reunions and there is a story or two behind that, but that is for another day. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous coming into this whole thing. On the right, I am joined in this photo with Paula Lyon. Paula was another band member in our class. Paula was busy Friday night at Charlie Hoopers sticking name tags on us as we showed up to kick off the weekend. A big thank you to her for making me feel at home and like this was maybe going to be okay after all. Robin Scott was another who made me feel right at home and wanted to know if I was going to be at the next day's event.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6Minz2PMOoBHrCvtDVBzSRNlCEsgJViod09zJP98TAgqnytLiVgKRWfSDXH-pW7qyMKlC1ijvRb7kTl8FojJ-K_q__ll-i3aO-38x0CIsrc3PJACuTrr-6aT02voGDTKEjWNZBF4xjwVRM0jecTJpB7kwUZn3RPVBxxKZQeCnAoCQf5Aw/s1876/211CF600-F5BB-444F-830A-6D0F2FFD7CAE_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="1764" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6Minz2PMOoBHrCvtDVBzSRNlCEsgJViod09zJP98TAgqnytLiVgKRWfSDXH-pW7qyMKlC1ijvRb7kTl8FojJ-K_q__ll-i3aO-38x0CIsrc3PJACuTrr-6aT02voGDTKEjWNZBF4xjwVRM0jecTJpB7kwUZn3RPVBxxKZQeCnAoCQf5Aw/s320/211CF600-F5BB-444F-830A-6D0F2FFD7CAE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Southwest High in those days was the premier public High School in the School District. Our School was located on Wornall Rd. just south of the 63rd & Brookside area.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rival Schools referred to us as the "Cake Eaters"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below right are a couple of the many. students that worked hard to make this event memorable and enjoyable.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMjCgQWq92_HtB9N_86wdI_Zx0Da44bGLud_NKbCwXyHr2NnAkdUpzrVyCb4Kfh5tDatZ86M0RBc1I1bsMJfJeDl6FdLt1gIMYajzb5_Mmhkgy_X_AYjC7HVbWdd_2uKtvW5SmboD5HD_tO4f6DkfmmSJwvqsE_a94s4Fo5bN2ALjop4FUg/s4032/233EEFC3-CB16-423E-BCF8-0B4C3369AE6B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMjCgQWq92_HtB9N_86wdI_Zx0Da44bGLud_NKbCwXyHr2NnAkdUpzrVyCb4Kfh5tDatZ86M0RBc1I1bsMJfJeDl6FdLt1gIMYajzb5_Mmhkgy_X_AYjC7HVbWdd_2uKtvW5SmboD5HD_tO4f6DkfmmSJwvqsE_a94s4Fo5bN2ALjop4FUg/s320/233EEFC3-CB16-423E-BCF8-0B4C3369AE6B.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVRN0s_nI5xex2L1zzFyIiztA7kwuzDkcZlnOzG3nna3jjmieGM0Dn67z4BYO8xxsQ2Ohe8LH5xCQhblNcHoanwYPhpLmji5vxz271k-Iu9V3JK1kgBVkr44gR1FIPHQdBR1Uodn5t7pl-DJkkECseBn0-eu5A4iMoLj9UK1PdGDqmYjPWQ/s4032/D0B629AC-F3C0-4CBD-ACD9-B28C47322A92.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVRN0s_nI5xex2L1zzFyIiztA7kwuzDkcZlnOzG3nna3jjmieGM0Dn67z4BYO8xxsQ2Ohe8LH5xCQhblNcHoanwYPhpLmji5vxz271k-Iu9V3JK1kgBVkr44gR1FIPHQdBR1Uodn5t7pl-DJkkECseBn0-eu5A4iMoLj9UK1PdGDqmYjPWQ/s320/D0B629AC-F3C0-4CBD-ACD9-B28C47322A92.heic" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4OkYNyjEvB41hm140xRmvSqTbBLdAgR2fvlRrm55ayagl0r8sfdC5mJelssz8AAAvkVn2QiwgrUfUNYS_uMQfaOQ85zSArvuAMJ_m7Ol1aXwhZEvMkFP7QKaTjp3d_6USdxKzEBeVOUGKdDazpG4ZgqPNIJUdYN5rKJxQa-fSkApG9qXOA/s3088/97AF65B5-4D43-4D89-A2E0-B73CB404DB09.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4OkYNyjEvB41hm140xRmvSqTbBLdAgR2fvlRrm55ayagl0r8sfdC5mJelssz8AAAvkVn2QiwgrUfUNYS_uMQfaOQ85zSArvuAMJ_m7Ol1aXwhZEvMkFP7QKaTjp3d_6USdxKzEBeVOUGKdDazpG4ZgqPNIJUdYN5rKJxQa-fSkApG9qXOA/s320/97AF65B5-4D43-4D89-A2E0-B73CB404DB09.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Above was a memorial table for all the students that are no longer with us. Sadly that number is presently 67. They are </div><div style="text-align: left;">missed but not forgotten. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To the right, I am in a selfie with Elizabeth Wall. This was definitely the biggest surprise and will be the most memorable part of the Reunion. At one point Elizabeth (who told me she had been asking around if anyone knew if I was there and someone pointed out where I was. She came and pulled up a chair next to me and said, "I don't know if you remember me, but we dated in High School" The answer was - Of Course! I recounted where the apartment was that she lived in, etc. We talked a bit longer about mostly what I had been up to, and it was quite loud and I wish before we parted I had asked about what was going on in her life. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I confess, I often have wondered how many if even any classmates ever think about me and wonder what has happened to me over the years. Elizabeth answered that at least one had, I did acknowledge wondering about her from time to time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTTjCcV7pUkgBWpOmGAeUYNFT1-NkuciAgoYRiyeq4Sv-_gcWa4U5dAB1BbhSdLcZEa4mFJaxRcLmhBq0zm8h9NghhL9y5-aTWoHSFIWNDcKWS4hwWAHe0L__ALto-7vVkrwglVAeUfGaSH3oGmqiP7rpXo4t7yZERzoYiKxdJUDbzVxM4g/s4032/129A6E2F-A1F5-46D0-B147-7F708F8CC845.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTTjCcV7pUkgBWpOmGAeUYNFT1-NkuciAgoYRiyeq4Sv-_gcWa4U5dAB1BbhSdLcZEa4mFJaxRcLmhBq0zm8h9NghhL9y5-aTWoHSFIWNDcKWS4hwWAHe0L__ALto-7vVkrwglVAeUfGaSH3oGmqiP7rpXo4t7yZERzoYiKxdJUDbzVxM4g/s320/129A6E2F-A1F5-46D0-B147-7F708F8CC845.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are a couple more shots. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have posted a lot more on Facebook in a SW High Class of 72 group.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The food was good, Music was awesome, (Those were some pretty good years for music.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wqww1aUSN4aXG0-LItCEfQnAcSaSu3UIoSBVzxe7WrVLJN16HucIhw1Ue2um7m3OJS0SzNoXTFbGCDExKTEKB1WWwgiOWaFtUbq9RLk9x05evY6-mH2Ubj_aoZWHCg5zSPvmoM-IyF7xaCcq0HTNWtLVxFtC9pnwVuosawNGGpzjZxTpvA/s4032/EB014C43-AB18-4F73-8136-861A35A9F03F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wqww1aUSN4aXG0-LItCEfQnAcSaSu3UIoSBVzxe7WrVLJN16HucIhw1Ue2um7m3OJS0SzNoXTFbGCDExKTEKB1WWwgiOWaFtUbq9RLk9x05evY6-mH2Ubj_aoZWHCg5zSPvmoM-IyF7xaCcq0HTNWtLVxFtC9pnwVuosawNGGpzjZxTpvA/s320/EB014C43-AB18-4F73-8136-861A35A9F03F.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div>There were quite a few that did not age much or at least aged very well. <p></p><p>It was amazing the number of attendees that were band and orchestra members. I don't believe I saw that many jocks from the class. I'm not sure what that says, but admittedly we did have a large band and orchestra. </p><p><br /></p><p>I must confess it was something I will forever be happy that I attended. Wish I had been at others, but this one definitely rocked. <br /> </p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-551955871279603522022-09-04T17:07:00.001-05:002022-09-04T17:07:21.341-05:00Some Days This Seems Ridiculously True<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 26.6667px;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">"The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast." ~Oscar Wilde</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-54461102775664652972022-08-30T22:06:00.001-05:002022-08-30T22:06:28.273-05:00Confession Tuesday: Where Has August Gone Edition<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidntF3Yh4QasYxHRRuJIaPWKiTw6PLLdICSVTqhXPg52d49X6r9-XCOvfk0-JmgSSFKmI3Pl7scxjIyjurqGqVpJXRGeAhtjuzDEQcLER2wFsvcw9Z2CPpTbvmJzLpBYssAXkWBFM4QFj4dbpwfVqPko-RaFxogaHe5adnt69-U1VBHOgYVw/s508/confesionario6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="381" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidntF3Yh4QasYxHRRuJIaPWKiTw6PLLdICSVTqhXPg52d49X6r9-XCOvfk0-JmgSSFKmI3Pl7scxjIyjurqGqVpJXRGeAhtjuzDEQcLER2wFsvcw9Z2CPpTbvmJzLpBYssAXkWBFM4QFj4dbpwfVqPko-RaFxogaHe5adnt69-U1VBHOgYVw/s320/confesionario6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Dear Reader / Friend or both...<p></p><p><br /></p><p>It's Tuesday night and it has been 28 days, One Truman Gala, On 35th Legislative Dist. Organizational Meeting, One full Democratic Committee Meeting, a 9the Election To The Democratic Committee, several rejection letters, 27 new poem drafts, 3 gas tank fill-ups (I think), and untold days of frustration since my last Confession.</p><p>I have gone from sceptical that the Democrats can hold onto the Senate in the fall elections to feeling relatively optimistic that we can gain 2 to 3 seats. I confess this is based on my general assessment of a variety of polls and not just wishful thinking.</p><p>I confess that I am at a loss for understanding how impotent the Republican Party has become so quickly in this country. </p><p>I confess that I have fallen off my schedule of working on my poetry manuscript. It is perhaps a combination of coming out of the Primary elections and starting back to school.</p><p>I am taking two classes this semester. I confess one is really interesting, the other I could teach. with both hands tied behind my back.</p><p>I confess that I have absolutely no idea where August has gone to.</p><p>I confess that Madison, my long-haired Dachshund had probably the best day of his life and I missed it. I am told he found a snake in the back yard and it became his favourite toy. Having missed it personally, I feel kind of like being told you weren't home and missed your son or daughter's first steps.</p><p><br /></p><p>Mood Tonight: a mixture of #sadness, #frustration and #empathy </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759055.post-29910437173217486012022-08-13T21:31:00.001-05:002022-08-13T21:31:24.687-05:00Salman Rushdie Attack<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>The <a href="https://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/salman-rushdie-attacked" target="_blank">attack </a>on Salman Rushdie this week is both sad and Ironic. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Salma Rushdie was in New York to discuss the plight of writers and journalists who face dangerous conditions because of their work. Before appearance for a lecture where the author was viciously attacked by a man welding a knife, Rushdie had exchanged emails with PEN America concerning the need to provide a safe haven for Ukrainian Writers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Michael A. Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015233939646285069noreply@blogger.com0