To Emily and Her Friends

I'd like to be one
of your friends and maybe
from a distance I will.

You don't seem the "snob" poet type-
just a whole lot better than present company.
I can't really hold that against you.

But how did you do it?
bottled up inside so often
away; far far away
yet with such passion and flavor
did you spike the language that we taste,
savor
and still are clueless to your recipe.

You seemed to live life to the fullest
in such a solitude
yet you bore your soul open
like bare breasts for all to see
and they were different from the rest.

You spoke of death with the authority
of one who has been on that side
still your words live in the tender
and the most sensual sides of life.

I might just be your friend too;
from a distance.

Those Pesky News People

Take That! the Republicans said in reply....

What is the aversion the GOP has to constitutionally protected rights?

The Missouri House Republicans have become such an embarrassment to the people in this state.

More on Plath

"Damn, she could write." THOR KAH HOONG discusses his avoidance of Sylvia Plath's journals. His Master's project was Plath. He expresses gratitude that the journals had not been published at the time of his project or he would have been "paralysed (sic) with the effort of absorbing all the material in the journals and slotting them into my Grand Illusion."

Note: I am presently reading her Journals. Along with Letters Home, they make a most interesting compendiumm to her work.

Bonds Ties Willie Mays

660 - this is poetry.

Monday afternoon... count me among the living

Somewhere between the early morning of Saturday and mid-day, I became convinced that I was sick. Sinus drainage, horrible sore throat and congested chest. Followed by fever. I went down for the count Saturday and all day Easter Sunday as well. I am feeling better today, but I did take time off work to recuperate. I should be back tomorrow.

This put a end to most everything this weekend. Almost no reading. I didn't even feel like reading for pleasure. No writing. Mostly did medicine, fluids and sleeping. I truly hate being sick. Last year, I had a couple long bouts that I like to never got over. I'm hopeful this one is behind me.

Saturday Segments

Check out A Poetry Free Presidency by Salon.com and the Poet Spy from the Baltimore Sun.

Aimee is talking Hot Seat

Cassie wears me out! Is the girl ever gonna settle down?

and last but not least, watch out for people stilling poems!

Reading Poetry - one poem at a time...

This month, I've tried mixing my reading of poetry a bit. In past, I've often picked out a poet I like or think I'm going to like and read a number of poem by that poet. I am trying to broaden my contact with individual poets as much as I am with the poems themselves. So far I think the experience has been rewarding. When I have a little more time this weekend I'll try and provide an example of some of the range I am talking about.

I am curious how may others have tried to incorporate something different than normal into their day as a result of poetry month. Is this just another of those specially designated months that means little to you and changes nothing?