For National Poetry Month, today I read Yusef Komunyakaa’s “Ode to the Maggot:”
Category: CNF
National Poetry Month- April 26
For National Poetry Month, today I read Janel Pineda’s “Rain” at The Lit Hub:
National Poetry Month- April 25
Happy Birthday dear ol Doc!
For National Poetry Month today I read Derrick Austin’s “Black Dandy” from The Rumpus:
National Poetry Month: April 24
For National Poetry Month, today I read Victoria Chang’s “Edward Hopper Study: Hotel Room:”
National Poetry Month- April 20
For National Poetry Month, I read Jessica Abughattas’s “Let’s not be civil I love you” from Miracle Monacle (2021):
National Poetry Month- April 15
For National Poetry Month, today I read Christian Gullette’s “Giant’s Chair” from Kenyon Review:
National Poetry Month- April 14:
For National Poetry Month, today I read Nikki Wallschlaeger’s “Dead to the World Study #4 from Waterbaby (Copper Canyon Press):
National Poetry Month- April 13
For National Poetry Month, today I read Seth Berg’s “Scenes From a Horror Film” from Muted Lines From Someone Else’s Memory (Dark Sky Books):
Ten Reasons to Retreat
This morning, I was thinking about the list concept and the Ian & the Blockheads song, “Reasons to be Cheerful, part 3” came to my mind. I loved Punk and New Wave in the late 70s, and so this song was frequently played in alternative clubs, as well as their other massive hit, “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.” Anyway, I digress.
Here is a Top Ten Reasons to Attend a 2021 Bending Genres Retreat:
- You have never been to the Southwest, or if you have, never been to the high desert.
- You’d like a break from emails, cell phones, business memos, ZOOM readings or conferences, monotony.
- It’s been tough to write lately. Nothing like actual 2020, but still.
- You miss your tribe. Or you want a new one. And gourmet food prepared by a highly skilled chef.
- The last trip you took, you had to bump elbows “hello.”
- You’ve never seen a roadrunner, or stayed in a room of same name.
- You like to bend genres, but you’re not quite sure how.
- The only retreat you ever took, there were a bunch of people in yoga pants who shouldn’t have been wearing them.
- You consider yourself the sort of person who is an outsider.
- You want exposure to writers you don’t even know exist.
If you have ticked off any of these boxes, then visit our website, and look over the information. We’re roughly 1/2 full at both locations. Don’t wait! Every day another person contacts us asking questions and considering the possibilities.
Workshops & Retreats
Hi friends! We wrapped our third 2021 Bending Genres weekend workshop with Freesia McKee on March 19- 21. Her course, “Crustacean Adaptation: Writing Hermit Crab Forms” was so much fun! Many of the writers wrote abstract and unusual pieces. What I love so much about these weekends is the freedom to take off, try new ideas and forms, and this weekend did not disappoint. Thanks, Freesia and participants. Also Meg for producing, and Corey for the IT support. Next, in April, we welcome Wendy Oleson back. She will be teaching “Big Characters.” More information here:
Meg Tuite and I have made our deposits for our two week long Bending Genres 2021 Retreats. Our dates are August 24- 30 at Synergia Ranch, in Santa Fe: and September 11- 17 at Cedar Valley in Wisconsin. We have already approached the writers who were all set for our 2020 retreats before the pandemic hit. We had to cancel both last year. Our hopes are that with vaccinations picking up speed, and Meg already received hers; I have my first shot on Monday, March 29. These spots are going to go quickly. There is more information on our website:
Our next issue of Bending Genres Journal, March/ April will be forthcoming on April 6. It’s going to be fantastic!
Been reading a lot of good books lately: David Tromblay’s As You Were; Nicholas Jennings Lightfoot; Jess Bruder’s Nomadland, and William Walsh’s forty-five american boys. What are you reading? Would you recommend it?