tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5331756266744865212..comments2024-03-28T13:46:02.547-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Mermaids and other noir poetryJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76773210341004818132012-08-07T06:24:47.087-04:002012-08-07T06:24:47.087-04:00Poetry
Picnics poetry’s first goal is to promote...<a href="http://www.picnicspoetry.com/" rel="nofollow"> Poetry </a><br /><br />Picnics poetry’s first goal is to promote and advertise Poetry so that we can take advantage of the significance of arts and culture in the promotion of positive human interaction.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319054857975578786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81534429019427821072012-08-05T09:05:08.875-04:002012-08-05T09:05:08.875-04:00@Reine:
I probably won't have any news about ...@Reine:<br /><br />I probably won't have any news about it for several months, but when I do I'll put it on my blog.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34871506695497564452012-08-05T07:21:02.195-04:002012-08-05T07:21:02.195-04:00James, I love the sound of your Old West bounty hu...James, I love the sound of your Old West bounty hunter and will look for it. This was a gun blog. We don't often talk about poetry here. Thanks for stimulating this. Great idea, Jan!Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72534519825833152672012-08-05T06:48:18.471-04:002012-08-05T06:48:18.471-04:00PS Wisdom Crieth Without has a lot of good poems: ...PS <a href="http://www.wisdomcriethwithout.com" rel="nofollow">Wisdom Crieth Without</a> has a lot of good poems: both 'classics' and new ones. They're currently my favourite place to submit poems.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19844808346817156402012-08-05T06:39:33.904-04:002012-08-05T06:39:33.904-04:00Thanks for the compliments everyone.
In case anyo...Thanks for the compliments everyone.<br /><br />In case anyone's interested, I'm currently working on a long poem set in the old West, called <i>Confession of a Bounty Hunter</i>. Hopefully it'll be out later this year.<br /><br />Yours,<br />James.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69606827410073443492012-08-05T00:48:24.380-04:002012-08-05T00:48:24.380-04:00Linda, thank you for posting that. I love Sherman ...Linda, thank you for posting that. I love Sherman Alexie.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58263975490511397582012-08-05T00:43:34.349-04:002012-08-05T00:43:34.349-04:00Thanks, DebR! Sherman actually started as a poet a...Thanks, DebR! Sherman actually started as a poet and has won many awards. Here's one of my favorite of his poems.<br /><br /><br />How to Write the Great American Indian Novel<br />By Sherman Alexie<br />All of the Indians must have tragic features: tragic noses, eyes, and arms.<br />Their hands and fingers must be tragic when they reach for tragic food.<br /><br />The hero must be a half-breed, half white and half Indian, preferably<br />from a horse culture. He should often weep alone. That is mandatory.<br /><br />If the hero is an Indian woman, she is beautiful. She must be slender<br />and in love with a white man. But if she loves an Indian man<br /><br />then he must be a half-breed, preferably from a horse culture.<br />If the Indian woman loves a white man, then he has to be so white<br /><br />that we can see the blue veins running through his skin like rivers.<br />When the Indian woman steps out of her dress, the white man gasps<br /><br />at the endless beauty of her brown skin. She should be compared to nature:<br />brown hills, mountains, fertile valleys, dewy grass, wind, and clear water.<br /><br />If she is compared to murky water, however, then she must have a secret.<br />Indians always have secrets, which are carefully and slowly revealed.<br /><br />Yet Indian secrets can be disclosed suddenly, like a storm.<br />Indian men, of course, are storms. They should destroy the lives<br /><br />of any white women who choose to love them. All white women love<br />Indian men. That is always the case. White women feign disgust<br /><br />at the savage in blue jeans and T-shirt, but secretly lust after him.<br />White women dream about half-breed Indian men from horse cultures.<br /><br />Indian men are horses, smelling wild and gamey. When the Indian man<br />unbuttons his pants, the white woman should think of topsoil.<br /><br />There must be one murder, one suicide, one attempted rape.<br />Alcohol should be consumed. Cars must be driven at high speeds.<br /><br />Indians must see visions. White people can have the same visions<br />if they are in love with Indians. If a white person loves an Indian<br /><br />then the white person is Indian by proximity. White people must carry<br />an Indian deep inside themselves. Those interior Indians are half-breed<br /><br />and obviously from horse cultures. If the interior Indian is male<br />then he must be a warrior, especially if he is inside a white man.<br /><br />If the interior Indian is female, then she must be a healer, especially if she is inside<br />a white woman. Sometimes there are complications.<br /><br />An Indian man can be hidden inside a white woman. An Indian woman<br />can be hidden inside a white man. In these rare instances,<br /><br />everybody is a half-breed struggling to learn more about his or her horse culture.<br />There must be redemption, of course, and sins must be forgiven.<br /><br />For this, we need children. A white child and an Indian child, gender<br />not important, should express deep affection in a childlike way.<br /><br />In the Great American Indian novel, when it is finally written,<br />all of the white people will be Indians and all of the Indians will be ghosts.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17030208038105196752012-08-04T22:01:05.674-04:002012-08-04T22:01:05.674-04:00Linda,
I love Sherman Alexie's short stories...Linda, <br /><br />I love Sherman Alexie's short stories. I didn't know that he also writes poetry, but I'm not surprised. Thank you for that list.<br /><br />Thank you also for sharing your own poetry. I want to read more of it.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2626675081830943982012-08-04T20:06:08.091-04:002012-08-04T20:06:08.091-04:00And for those who are looking for excellent poetry...And for those who are looking for excellent poetry that's also accessible, here are a few to start with. All of these folks have books that are easily available. I've put an asterisk by those I think Reds may really go for. Also, note Tony Barnstone. His book, Tongue of War, is based on 15 years of research and oral history interviews with American and Japanese WWII veterans and with civilians from WWII in both America and Japan, trying to make sense of some of the atrocities and heroism that made up the War in the Pacific. It's a poetic tour de force, a powerful statement, and totally accessible.<br />Also note Levi Romero, who has written wonderful, fun poetry about lowriders! It doesn't get much more accessible than that.<br /><br />*Allison Joseph<br />Luci Tapahonso<br />*Tony Barnstone<br />*Linda Hogan<br />*Joy Harjo<br />*Levi Romero<br />*Mary Oliver<br />*Sandra Cisneros<br />Marjorie Agosín<br />Sherman Alexie<br />Margaret Atwood<br />Trish Reeves<br />Luis J. Rodríguez<br />Paul Martinez Pompa<br />Diane Glancy<br />*Brenda Cárdenas<br />John Olivares Espinoza<br />Marge Piercy<br />Patricia Spears Jones<br />Cornelius Eady <br />Richard BlancoLinda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68272632974450838592012-08-04T19:18:40.151-04:002012-08-04T19:18:40.151-04:00Jan, you are so right. Your friend's poetry th...Jan, you are so right. Your friend's poetry that reverberates in your head is what real poetry is and does.<br /><br />Garrison Keillor finds lots of these poems and offers them free to subscribers by email as well as by radio on The Writer's Almanac. He's read several of mine. Check it out.<br /><br />Here's one of mine that's based on an old Cherokee teaching story.<br /><br />MEETING HECATE<br /><br />How I fear the witch in me,<br />the one in touch<br />with power, the one who knows<br />without knowing<br />how, the secret<br />priestess, spirit-bearer, the ugly side<br />of woman, the crone—<br />and I remember the Cherokee<br />legend of Stoneskin, superhuman<br />cannibal, devouring whole<br />villages, how the People<br />set up a fortress of women<br />menstruating, how the sight<br />of each weakened Stoneskin<br />until he died and, dying, told them<br />all the secrets, ways<br />of power, conjure spells, ways<br />to do things. <br /><br />The Cherokee live<br />off the wisdom<br />of a dying monster and the power<br />of bleeding women, and they remember<br />this. There is a witch somewhere<br />in every woman.<br /><br />Published in Heart’s Migration (Tia Chucha Press, 2009)Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31277227592371871622012-08-04T18:24:37.210-04:002012-08-04T18:24:37.210-04:00Jan… accessible poetry… perfect and just what I ne...Jan… accessible poetry… perfect and just what I needed today. <br /><br />Linda, I am mesmerized by your poem, "Calaca Comedy Central." Your opening, "In this time of marigolds and mariposas, calacas, calaveras, and candles everywhere..." the joining of that which will not be together... stunning, as your thoughts in this poem leave me straining for air each time I read it. Gripping.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6827961951638778292012-08-04T18:17:05.489-04:002012-08-04T18:17:05.489-04:00Oh, that sounds so lovely, Jan . . . "Stoppin...Oh, that sounds so lovely, Jan . . . "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening," my all-time favorite poem, has the most incredible imagery . . . .Joan Emersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64664239819063675282012-08-04T17:42:30.056-04:002012-08-04T17:42:30.056-04:00Joan,
My brother did a water color of Stopping By ...Joan,<br />My brother did a water color of Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening and it's one of my favorite pieces. <br /><br /><br />Darlene, I htink we are all a little shy about our poetry!Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78376413064687474162012-08-04T16:17:23.945-04:002012-08-04T16:17:23.945-04:00I love the cadence, the symmetry, and the power of...I love the cadence, the symmetry, and the power of poetry . . . . Generally, I think poetry is best left to create its own pictures in the reader’s mind solely with the words the poet uses, but I have a couple of books that are Robert Frost poems ["Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" and "Birches"] with incredible paintings accompanying and interpreting the poet's words, and they are truly magnificent.Joan Emersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13253323750709334982012-08-04T15:03:39.071-04:002012-08-04T15:03:39.071-04:00James, you have a wonderful way with words.
I act...James, you have a wonderful way with words.<br /><br />I actually do write poetry, but I've always been shy about showing it to people.Sofie Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16830230500527705589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9030493896749279022012-08-04T12:05:20.667-04:002012-08-04T12:05:20.667-04:00That is terrific Kaye! And EXACTLY what I mean. ...That is terrific Kaye! And EXACTLY what I mean. A reminder of what language can do. <br /><br />Debs, Same here, I used to write poetry, but somehow it got crowded out. But it is such a great inspiration to take another moment with each line we write. <br /><br />~janJungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76237891934526518392012-08-04T11:37:31.469-04:002012-08-04T11:37:31.469-04:00I used to feel so stupid that I didn't "g...I used to feel so stupid that I didn't "get" poetry! Then I started finding things like this and I was head over heels!<br /><br />Variation on a Theme by King David <br /><br />Praise to you!<br />Praise to you my snappy love! <br /><br />Praise you in clean socks on a Queens-bound<br />train; praise you<br />for your famous avocado<br />sandwiches; Praise you from Brooklyn to blasphemy! <br /><br />I've called the mayor to praise you; & a third-<br />base coach; even<br />that no-neck accountant<br />who doesn't have the decency to nod hello<br />has agreed to praise you! <br /><br />Praise you with bongos and fine fancy<br />tea; praise you<br />with rhumba, tango & marmelade; praise<br />you with your knickers at your knees! <br /><br />I praise you on Flag Day, & on whichever equinox<br />allows for the balancing of eggs;<br />I praise you with eggs!<br />Brown ones & jumbo & Faberge Tiffany blue! <br /><br />On the white of your wrist I praise you;<br />on the vaccuumed throw rug; I praise you full-<br />page on Sunday! With faxes<br />& foxgloves & brushed cotton sheets;<br />with sky-write & timbrel & <br /><br />wink! Let every soul<br />in the Battery Tunnel honk<br />her horn to praise you! Praise you<br />with ripe limes & wrestling mats;<br />praise you tax-free with agates and tin foil<br />& all sparkly things! <br /><br />Praise you with foggy spectacles and Wisconsin green cheese!<br />Praise you to the afternoon of orthopedic sneakers;<br />praise you from poinsettia to piccolo!<br />Praise you & praise you & praise you! <br /><br />My love,<br />from Brooklyn to blasphemy I praise you! <br /><br />--L. B. ThompsonKaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19406618062163042692012-08-04T11:17:01.297-04:002012-08-04T11:17:01.297-04:00P.S. Speaking of "inaccessible", I went ...P.S. Speaking of "inaccessible", I went through a period, long, long ago, where I read all of Ezra Pound. Not sure I've ever recovered:-)Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50556489919172533072012-08-04T11:15:06.648-04:002012-08-04T11:15:06.648-04:00I love this, Jan! And thanks, James, for being her...I love this, Jan! And thanks, James, for being here.<br /><br />I'm absolutely with you on accessible poetry, in both senses of accessible--understandable and available. I started out writing poetry--my first love. Now I find the novels just take up too much mind space to leave room for anything else, but even reading poetry inspires me to write better language.<br /><br />Thanks for the reminder...Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42975817378714072412012-08-04T10:46:24.890-04:002012-08-04T10:46:24.890-04:00I should mention that that poet I love so much is ...I should mention that that poet I love so much is Linda Haviland Conte.<br /><br />I won't name the poet I can't understand. <br /><br />~janJungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14732068102492459382012-08-04T10:43:19.271-04:002012-08-04T10:43:19.271-04:00Oh Kaye
Sorry to have misunderstood.
Linda, I wi...Oh Kaye<br />Sorry to have misunderstood. <br /><br />Linda, I will have to check out your blog spot. <br /><br />I bought a friend's academically honored book of poetry and read each poem about three times. Each phrase alone sounded meaningful, but put together, I still couldn't figure out what the hell it meant. <br /><br /><br />Another friend's poetry, which was published by a small press but was not so academically honored, I reread all the time just because I get something more out of it each time. Lines from her poems go through my head all the time - that, I think is what poetry should be about. <br /><br />~janJungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50650927776152629042012-08-04T10:36:46.895-04:002012-08-04T10:36:46.895-04:00In my earlier post I should have said "I post...In my earlier post I should have said "I posted a poem at my blog almost every day so I could share some of my favorites written by some very talented poets." Sadly, I'm not a poet myself.Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71662140720211989932012-08-04T10:06:44.697-04:002012-08-04T10:06:44.697-04:00Jan, you're right that inaccessible poetry ten...Jan, you're right that inaccessible poetry tends to win the honors in the poetry world right now, which is run by academics.<br /><br />There is actually a lot of good accessible poetry out there. I write about a lot of fine poets who want their poetry to be accessible to the (usually ill-educated) families and communities they come from in my blog series, Books of Interest from Writers of Color. http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com/<br /><br />And my own poetry is accessible for the same reasons--I always wanted the older members of my family who didn't have much education to be able to read and understand it.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34615850073947184532012-08-04T10:02:17.773-04:002012-08-04T10:02:17.773-04:00Kaye,
I will have to check out the foundation and ...Kaye,<br />I will have to check out the foundation and I hope you post some of your poetry here.<br /><br />I think poetry is perfect for a blog - because I think blogs lend themselves to briefer forms of communication. <br /><br />So I am grateful to James to reminding me of this and hope to see some of your poetry soon.Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82279649036637184262012-08-04T08:29:53.594-04:002012-08-04T08:29:53.594-04:00James - Welcome!!! I enjoyed reading your pieces,...James - Welcome!!! I enjoyed reading your pieces, very much.<br /><br />Jan - I so agree with your statement "As far as I'm concerned, there isn't enough accessible poetry in the world, or maybe, I don't make as much effort as I should to find the accessible poetry in the world."<br /><br />I'm a lover of poetry (although not all poetry). Every once in a while I will just somehow happen onto a new-to-me poet or a piece of work I'm not familiar with and it thrills me silly.<br /><br />One place I drop into every so often and just browse is www.poetryfoundation.org<br /><br />This past April for National Poetry Month I posted a poem at my blog almost every day so I could share some of my favorites.Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.com