Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Confession Tuesday - Long Assed Time Edition
Dear Reader,
Shall we head to the confessional?
It's been two weeks and one 30 year anniversary since my last confession.
I confess it has not been quite 30 years... but it will be on the 25th of this month. None the less, yesterday I was given a pen commemorating my 30 years of service at work. While I admit I consider thirty years working one place a pretty significant chunk of time, it didn't hit me until it was pointed out that few present would ever achieve such distinction. Given my job is basically crisis driven, I confess that it does give me pause to consider how I have made it this long and kept my sanity about myself. I also wonder if I have actually lost my sanity some time back and have just been oblivious for a number of years. I've had the good fortune to work with a number of really good people over the years. I confess that it has made to longevity on the job much easier. I'm thankful for each of them.
The month of August is half over and I am not particularly happy with the number of hours I have written this month. I confess that I know it's not always about how much as it is about how good and I do feel that I have put together several really strong drafts. That said, I hope next week to be back in the confessional box acknowledging that I have met or exceeded my number of hours writing for the week.
I got totally excited recently. When good things happen to other poets I'm one that is inclined to celebrate their success, so when I saw that Beth Ann Fennelly was named Poet Laureate for Mississippi I wanted to do cartwheels. Beth Ann is among my favorite poets. She has been doing some fiction recently and I hope this will set her on a course of a new poem or two from time to time.
Color me perturbed tonight. I picked up a bottle of Gold Peak tea at the store and while I intended to get the diet tea, I took a big swig as I got ready to write this and realized I had inadvertently picked up unsweetened. Yuck! Alas, I've added Splenda to it
I confess that I am hopeful that I will have some good news to report in the next couple of weeks. That's all I'm saying on the subject.
And last but not least... I confess that I redid my web site and have a new domain name The new site is at michaelwells.ink and the other domain michaelawells.com has been redirected so that it will load to the new domain.
I confess that's all I got the week!
Be safe!
Michael
Tuesday, August 02, 2016
Confession Tuesday - Where is the Year Going Edition
It's been 8 weeks since my last confession. Really? Yes, sadly it has been that long.
Since we last met at the confessional, we've celebrated America's birthday, we've nominated the first women from a major political party to be President of the United States. I've written a few new poem drafts, created a new web site at michaelwells.ink and collected a few more rejection letters.
Let me begin my confession:
Reader, I don't know where this year is going but it is going there fast. Too fast! August? Really? How the hell did this happen? I look at my calendar hopeful I can find the damn hole that the days are falling through. I don't see one. (BIG SIGH!)
There is my precious granddaughter Harper Jo who is not quite two years old now, but she is shedding that infant look in favor of a more sophisticated young child look. Her vocabulary and mannerisms are quickly becoming more advanced and I fear one day soon she will be advance beyond my wisdom. She is funny, active, and smart. I miss the younger version but I like the new one too. What I must confess is that I fear that this too will pass way to fast and the next phase will be different. Not necessarily bad, just different and I will miss the cuteness that presently becomes her.
Last Friday was the quarterly Neon Gallery event sponsored by the Writers Place. Great reading & music. Also I confess I had some good advice from Maryfrances Wagner. She suggested that I check out the Meter, Beat and Feet Performance at the Fringe Festival on Sunday. So I took her up on it, and this was my Artist date for the week. (something I confess I need to do more often) The event combined poetry, music and interpretative dance and was very relaxing and the hour really went too fast.
This weekend I worked on an application to submit with writing for the Fall AWP writer 2 writer mentoring program. I wrapped up everything this evening and uploaded my submission via Submittable. This is not me my first attempt and I know there are limited resources but I confess that I do so hope that I make it this time. This would be an extraordinary opportunity. I've hear numerous mentors and mentees rave about the program. Any prayers and good karma out there are welcome.
I can't let this confession pass without saying how incredibly proud I am that the Democratic Party has as it's Presidential nominee the first woman ever. I'm excited for what this means to women and little girls everywhere in the U.S. So many other nations have had women as their chief executives, prime ministers, etc. It is well past time that we did too. This is a historic event and even as a man, I confess that I had a real sense of pride that we've reached this point but I will not be fully satisfied until we've elected the first woman. Men can be feminists too! If you have daughters, granddaughters and even for your wives, be champions for their equality. I think writing has taught me a lot about the disparities that exist in the broader communities. We all must work to see the field leveled.
Until next week or next confession, whichever comes first.....
All Best!
Friday, July 08, 2016
This Isn't Working
There are all kinds of statics that should be screaming at us. The fact that every day 90 some persons die as a result of firearms. Some of these in the commission of crimes. An increasing number are mass shootings of innocent persons. Sadly, a growing number are youngsters dying at their own hands or because of someone else's negligence. We should not have to simply accept the number of children who gain access to a gun and shoot themselves, there little sister, or their mother in the back as she drives down the road because mom kept a loaded handgun in her purse in the back seat of the car.
Yesterday, 5 Dallas police officers were killed by a person or persons using high capacity weapons and another seven were wounded. The two previous days, officers discharged their weapons in two other cities striking and killing black males in tragic shootings. In both instances it said that the two victims were carrying guns. One was pulled by police from the victims pocket after he was shot and killed. The other is said to have advised the officer that he had a permit and had a gun in the glove box. These two incidents will be investigated by the Department of Justice, and I'm certain they the events will be subject to much scrutiny, as well they should be. The one thing that is certain is that they will not be the last.
America has a death rate by guns far and above other civilized societies. It actually exceeds some third world countries that are racked with violence. Our nation has a gun problem. It is made worse because we have become culturally dependent upon guns.Yes, there is really no more accurate way to put it than we as a nation have a fetish for and an addiction to guns.
For the time being let's set aside hunters. For the most part, hunters have a real respect for their firearms. It may sound like a generalization, but hunters are often among the most responsible firearm owners. But things get a little more dicey after that. For years, man gun owners kept guns at home basically for protection in the home setting. While gun ownership has become prolific over the years, there also became growing movement to carry weapons in public. We saw the emergence of concealed carry laws in various states with permits required. This changed to include "open carry" and state after state the legislatures ripe with members whose campaign coffers were filled by the NRA and other gun lobbies were only so happy to oblige and began even kicking away required permits and required training classes.
I could go on with a lengthy account of public shootings just this year, that were not a part of any criminal action but simply a product of irresponsibility, unfortunate accident, negligence or just plain stupidity. I will spare you a complete list, but these are a few off the examples that have actually happened and have been reported on this year:
- Several instances of children from three to six years of age that found a firearm loaded in the floor under the seat of their parents car or in a purse. I a least three incidents that I recall since the first of the year, these children in the process of handling the loaded weapon discharged it and in each instance manager to strike the driver in the back. The makes me wonder how may were discharged that missed hitting someone? It also begs to ask where the loaded guns were in their reach, and why the hell weren't the buckled in car seats?
- A teacher carrying dropped her gun while sitting on a toilet, ricocheting and striking herself in the ankle.
- A Woman who dropped her purse while checking out at the doctor's office and her handgun discharged, bullet traveling through wall and striking another person in an exam room.
- A kid reaching in his dad's jacket pocket and discharging a gun at McDonald's in line striking anther patron.
- Child reaching in mom's purse at Walmart and discharging a loaded handgun killing the mother.
Monday, July 04, 2016
We Are America....
However we have come to be American, it's important to realize we are all equal in our American Nationality. One way or the other, unless we are American Indians, we have roots to somewhere else. Maybe by way of our parents, grandparents, their parents or even further back, but we are a nation of great diversity and I believe that is one of the great strengths of this country. The American experience is multi-cultural, and that can only enrich us all.
Happy & Safe 4th of July!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
2016 Poet Crush List Six-Pack
Each year since then, (except 2014) I have revisited the poets that were getting my attention. Over the years there have been numerous that were close to making my list but last year last year I shortened the list from 10 to a Crush List Six Pack. Of course that doesn't make the decision easier, but perhaps the choices more significant.
There are some that have been held over from year to year and with good reason. Kelli Russell Agodon is an example of a repeat for several years Her writing and energy has been especially inspiring and I have three of her books each of which I revisit from time to time and her most recent one, quite often. You can see the 2015 list linked here.
And so, now I give you my 2016 Poetry Crush List. Again, a Six-Pack. And there are in not particular order of significance.
1. Marie Howe - author of three poetry books the most recent The Kingdom of Ordinary Time, a book that I have read and found a great deal of kinship with. Howe grew up in a Catholic family and Catholicism culturally informs her work. I read a number of interviews of her and was enthralled with her interview by Krista Tippett on the podcast On Being. I've noted with interest books that have won contests judged by Ms. Howe, It seems that I generally enjoy the same kinds of writing that she finds worthwhile.
2. Richard Siken - author of Crush and War of the Foxes. I've read both of these books. Crush I felt was the bolder of the two but War of the Foxes has it's points. Siken impresses me because he can deal well with the abstract and I'd like to feel I could write with courage that his work exudes. Ah, maybe someday...
3. Rachel Mennies - author of The Glad Hand of God Points Backward. Much the same way I am intrigued by the Catholic culture that can be found in Marie Howe's The Kingdom of Ordinary Time, I am fascinated at the impact of Judaism in Rachel's book. Perhaps even more that Howe, she has woven this deeply into this collection of poems. Jewish culture is less familiar to me, but I find it's imprint on her work appealing. That said, I've read a number of her poems aside from the book and have enjoyed the versatility she demonstrates. Some examples:
- Echo and Narcissus Pittsburgh
- Review #347 For The California Exotic Novelties Butterfly Kiss Vibrator on Amazon.com
- Anatomy II
6. Suzanne Frischkorn - author of Lit Windowpane, Girl on a Bridge and Red Paper Flower. Of these, I have read Red Paper Flower. This book was funny and hard hitting at the same time. I desperately wanted to read more when I finished. I'm assuming Girl on a Bridge is also out of print. On Amazon you can find copies priced between $146 and $374. Ouch. But seriously I keep hopeful that we will see some more work from poet soon. Real soon! UPDATED NOTE: Jan. 2017 - I have been informed by Suzanne that Lit Windowpane and Girl on a Bridge at Main Street Rag Online Bookstore. I have added the links in the titles in the original post. I will be ordering these myself.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Confession Tuesday - Love & Kindness Edition
Please follow me to the confessional....
Dear Reader,
Where do you start when you don't know what to say? What do you say when basically anything said is not adequate? It's especially hard to think about yourself at a time like this. To think about what your last two weeks have been like. What has gone wrong or what has gone right.
I didn't personally know any who died in the Orlando shooting. At lease I don't believe I did. But everyone whose life was snuffed out, every person who was wounded by bullets, and everyone across this country whose heart was wounded by loss from the mass shooting has no doubt been profoundly impacted by the events. Indeed this nation grieves. We grieve once again for the senseless loss of lives by weapons that have no place in a civil society aside from the military.
The one thing I try to think about as I reflect upon the past two weeks is love. Who have I shown love to? What stranger have I smiled at? What doors have I held open? Who have I gone out of my way to help?
I also feel compelled to think about the exact opposite of love... hate. Have I really truly hated anyone? Sadly, the answer to this is honestly yes. I don't want to hate someone. I can rationalize perhaps why they may be unworthy of love. But hate, hate is a powerful poison. The funny thing (which is not really funny at all) is that most people that I hate are so remote that they don't really know who I am, much less that I actually hate them. And clearly one in particular, really exhibits by action a good deal of hate by their own right.
I suppose it is easy to rationalize that because one person does hateful things that it is justifiable to hate them back. It is truly easy to see that hate begets hate.
As much as I have decided I need to work on saying things that exemplify hate (and I have been guilty of this) I have also thought that for those out there that fall into that void somewhere between the two extremes, I need to be more open to just being a person who can share a smile, extend a greeting. Look for loving acts of kindness without regard for who these people are.
Life is short. We don't generally know expiration date. Our examples of kindness may be the last thing someone recalls.
I confess that there are things we as citizens can do about the issues of gun violence. And these are things that we should do.This is a fight we all need to wage for the sake of our future, our children and grandchildren. I have done some of these things in the past and I will continue.
I confess that I see that we all need more kindness. Everywhere! Kindness at home, at school, at work, on the street corner, while driving, I confess that I have a role to play in introducing more kindness to others.
I confess that these past two weeks I've had some positive things happen. There is the Paul Simon Concert at Starlight, and the Poem of mine appearing in The Best of Boston Literary Magazine, but it's just hard to focus on anything else.
Peace, Love, and Kindness
Tuesday, June 07, 2016
Honored to Have A poem in The Best of Boston Literary Magazine - Vol 1
Boston Literary Magazine is just released Vol 1 of their Best Of Boston Literary Magazine for over the last decade. BLM has published several of my poems over the years and I am excited that this Best Of Collection contains one of my previously published works, a poem titled Toy Soldiers..
There are some really cool work in this book. Great Job by Robin Stratton
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Confession Tuesday - Neon Lights Edition
It's been one Democratic Congressional District Presidential Caucus, one poetry reading at the Neon Gallery, one finished diary and another one started, a double platelet & red cell donation, and several full skies of rain falling in our part of the world since my last confession 6 weeks ago.
To the confessional....
Dear Reader:
The rain has stopped. Our lawn has been mowed. I can hear the grass growing again already.
I confess six weeks is a long time between confessions. I guess that makes me a fallen-away blogger returning to the fold or something like that. I could say I will try to do better, bet we all know better. The fact is that I tend to be more selective about saying something in my blog than in the early days. Maybe I'm getting wiser and figure no one really cares, but who knows.
On Friday, May 29th I had a reading at the Neon Gallery that was sponsored by the Writers Place. The Neon event is a quarterly music, poetry and art event at a downtown Kansas City location. I've attended many of these, but I confess this was the first one in which I was on the program. The Neon reading was really good. Those that missed it, well, they missed some good music, some really cool art, and well the readings were great. I confess I'd even rate my own as pretty damn good and I tend to be my harshest critic. The poet Pat Daneman (who I had never heard before) was magnificent. Sara Nicole Glass AKA Miss Conception both sang and shared poetry. While I've heard her before, she has a couple of pieces that really resonated with me. I confess that each time I hear the River Cow Orchestra I think I enjoy them more. Bob Savino was quite animated, but then when isn't he. The evening was closed out with music by Rick Malsick. This event is sponsored by the Writers Place and I was honored to read with the other talented artists.
I've said it before and it's worth repeating. As someone who journals on a regular basis I always love the feeling when I complete one journal and replace the leather binder with a fresh new one. I confess that I am not sure, but I belief it must be the starting over with clean pages that gets my emotions flowing.
When donating platelets at the Community Blood Center recently I was asked to do a double platelet and red cell donation. I've done double platelets before - my count is always high and they love to be able to double down. I've never done red cell at the same time. I confess that I spent that whole day really drained. I'm usually a wee bit sluggish after the platelets but this was way worse. I confess I may not feel I can do that much again. Probably just the platelets and maybe back off the red cells. It's really a beneficial thing to do and I would always encourage those who can, donate blood and or platelets whenever possible.
I did a lot of writing this past weekend and it's tugging at my heartstrings again tonight, so I'm off to see what I can put together.
Until next time, be yourself. No one does it better than you!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Confession Tuesday - why am I doing this edition?
Dear Reader,
It's been one new poetry book, and a week since my last confession.
I confess that I am tired tonight and I'd rather not be confessing. Mostly because it's late and I'm tired.
I've been glued for the most part to the primary election returns from five states. DEL, CONN, RI, MD, and PENN. I was hopeful that Hillary would sweep all five but figured we had four in the bag. RI was up in the air and in the end it was the only one of the five that Hillary lost. Not a bad night at all, and it really makes the math for Bernie Sanders really insurmountable.
I was excited to get a new poetry book in the mail this week. "A Brief History of Time" by Shaindel Beers. Getting poetry in the mail is such a rush. I confess that it never grows old.
We have a storm going on presently. The dogs are unnerved by it, especially Soles. In some ways we are really making progress with him, but I confess I wish I felt he was less impacted by anxiety.
That's all for this week. May the muse be with you.