Author: bripike

Tuesday (When it rains…) Musings

I woke up this morning to go to the gym and it was pouring down rain. This did not help my motivation, which took another blow when my beloved informed me (through barely open lips and closed eyes) that he was not coming. He had not fallen asleep until well after 2 am. He was sleepy. Besides, it was raining. With that final proclamation, he pulled my abandoned pillow over his head and resumed snoring.

Damn.

Anyway. I went. I got wet but at least I went.
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2008 NEA Fellowships Announced.
One member may push for John Updike, while everyone else is set on John Grisham. One person wants to have a glass of wine and talk about the book, while everyone else wants to get drunk and talk about their spouses. “There are all these power struggles about what book gets chosen,” Ms. Burg said. Then come the complaints: “It’s too long, it’s too short, it’s not literary enough, it’s too literary … ”

Monday (Woke up at 7:18 am) Musings

Poem of the Week (courtesy of The New Yorker)

Master of Disguises

Surely he walks among us unrecognized:
Some barber, store clerk, delivery man,
Pharmacist, hairdresser, bodybuilder,
Exotic dancer, gem cutter, dog walker,
The blind beggar singing, Oh lord, remember me,

Some window decorator starting a fake fire
In a fake fire place while mother and father watch
From the couch with their frozen smiles
As the street empties and the time comes
For the undertaker and the last waiter to head home.

O homeless old man, standing in a doorway
With your face half hidden,
I wouldn’t even rule out the black cat crossing the street,
The bare light bulb swinging on a wire
In a subway tunnel as the train comes to a stop.

Charles Simic

Have you ever read a poem about a subject that you’ve also written about, but the other poet’s poem is far superior to yours? I like Simic’s poem. A lot. I also wrote a poem about a homeless man, “Changing Lights.” It is one of my newer poems and I included it in my thesis, even though I think it still may need some tweaks. While I’m encouraged by the fact that I can find poems inside these kind of subjects, I am constantly frustrated that my execution isn’t as strong as other writers.

Disclaimer: I am not comparing myself to Charles Simic. He’s brilliant but his poem made me think about my poem, which I think is a compliment.

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General verdicts to date: it’s an archaic, risible, underpaid job; none of the truly major poets (Heaney, Walcott, Hill, Muldoon, Prynne, etc) will be eligible, or considered, or interested; it should go to a woman; that woman should preferably be an accessible entertainer such as Pam Ayres.

Mark Doty calls for Animal poems.

I never knew this existed:

He should consider reviving the Federal Writers’ Project, a Great Depression-combating New Deal program — part of the Works Progress Administration — that lasted from 1935-1939 (in some states until 1943). Under its aegis, some 6,600 people — not all of them trained writers — found useful work. The Project created the enduring landmark series of populist American Guide books about individual states and cities, including 1943’s Cincinnati: A Guide to the Queen City and Its Neighbors. (There were also Federal Art, Music and Theatre Projects; the latter staged productions at the Emery Theatre.)

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Speaking of animals, this article was in the Indy Star this morning. I’ve been saying the same thing for years, but if your kitty tears up your furniture, buy them a scratching post.

The Humane Society and the American Veterinary Medical Association say declawing a cat should be a last resort, because it causes pain
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Sunday Musings

I am woefully behind in my New Yorkers. Three issues behind to be exact, which in New Yorker speak might as well be 3000 pages. While I love the magazine, I find if I don’t stay on top of each issue, it beats me. Badly. I’m trying to plow my way through the food issue (one of my favorite special issues that they do) but I was stopped short by this quote from Prince in the Talk of the Town section:

When asked about his perspective on social issues–gay marriage, abortion–Prince tapped his Bible and said, ‘God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, Enough.’

I find this interesting coming from the man who wrote a song called Pussy Control. Sigh. He was much more fun before he became a Jehovah’s Witness.
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Saturday (Snow!) Musings

It is snowing! I know that in January the novelty of this will wear off when I’ve cleaned my car off for the 100th time but for right now it puts me in the holiday spirit. Living in Indiana makes me a lot less annoyed with snow than when I was in Pennsylvania. There is no lake effect here and if we do get a lot of snow, it’s more of a treat.
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The Nutcracker was lovely. They put on an excellent production and because I love the mushrooms from Fantasia so much, I’ve posted a link below. Is it wrong that I giggle helplessly when I watch this?

Here it is.

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As my sister put it, “Aw! Le petit arbe de noel!”

Below are three photos chronicling Kweli’s introduction to my “Jammin Snowman.” As you can see, he isn’t very sure of the whole situation.

Friday (Nutcracker) Musings

My thesis went out this morning. Phew

In honor of the Christmas season (which I’m now giving my full attention) we’re off to see The Nutcracker this evening at Butler University. I have fond memories of this show. When I was younger, my parents took me to a show at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford. There was this snowflake backdrop that hung in front of the stage and it was enormous. It was also beautiful. It was set against a cobalt blue background. You could stare at that backdrop for hours.

I also associate The Nutcracker with Disney’s Fantasia. The dancing mushrooms are my favorite:

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I’ve really enjoyed the Paris Review giveaway on the Elegant Variation this week. Although, the blogs author is probably correct when he says that we should all just go and buy the set anyway. I’ve read a few interviews from the Paris Review online, but I had forgotten how good they were. At any rate, I probably will end up purchasing them. I mean really, buying books? Who am I kidding?
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OK, so the Proposition 8 Musical has been out in the universe for awhile now, but I was in thesis land, so now that I’m back among the living, satiric, and ironic masses…love it!
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Thursday (Ready to Mail!) Musings

I am finished editing my thesis. It will be printed this evening and mailed out tomorrow morning.

Exhaling slowly.
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A pop quiz found on OnTheCusp:

1. When was the last time you wrote a poem?About a month ago.

2. What was its title? Flannel

3. What was one image from the poem (if applicable)? Being wrapped in flannel is like sleeping in dirt.

4. Do you currently have a poem percolating in your brain? Yes. I have no clue what it’s about.

5. If you answered “yes” to number four, what is one image from that poem? Obituaries.
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This isn’t particularly encouraging. Damn economy.

I’ve been trying very hard to win the Paris Review Contest on Mark Sarvas’s blog, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Here’s is a link to today’s clue.

For now, it’s a good reminder that we really ought to try and write better than a computer, while we still can.

Wednesday (Final Edits!) Musings

Before I begin working on my final edits for my thesis (yay!) I’m going to fill out this survey found on one of the blogs I read regularly. I have not filled one of these out since my days as an undergrad, but I like this one, so here goes:

  • My uncle once: fell off a roof when he was drunk.
  • Never in my life: will I wear a fur coat.
  • When I was five: cut my face open with a Bic razor trying to shave like my dad.
  • High school was: annoying and enjoyable at the same time.
  • I will never forget: the time my current boyfriend drove down to Texas to break up with me, got his car towed, had to walk to a bar (in the rain) and get a ride from a bouncer to get his car out of impound. He gave me the receipt from the towing company when we got back together.
  • Once I met: Tom Ridge.
  • Once at a bar:copied graffiti from a bathroom stall for a poem.
  • By noon I’m usually: eating lunch or grading or writing poems.
  • Last night: I made baked talapia and spinach salad and watched Mystery Diagnosis.
  • If I only had: lots of free time..
  • What worries me most: is that all I do is in vain.
  • If I were a character in Shakespeare: I’d be dead or insane because I also identify with the tragedies.
  • I have a hard time understanding: cruelty of any kind.
  • You know I like you if: I talk to you about my poetry.
  • Take my advice, never: go looking for an apple orchard without directions.
  • My ideal breakfast is: breakfast casserole my mom makes at Christmas time and a mimosa.
  • If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: bring walking shoes and a taste for cheap alcohol.
  • Why won’t people: read more?
  • The world could do without:hate .
  • I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: hurt an animal (any animal).
  • My favorite blonds are: my dad.
  • If I do anything well, it’s: be an emotional roller coaster.
  • And, by the way: I’m mailing my thesis out on Friday!

Added Note: The word on the street is that I’m getting a new camera for Christmas. Although the giver of said camera refuses to admit that’s my gift, so he keeps referring it to as a “bike.” Anyway. I’m really excited about my new “bike” and come the first of the year I’m going to post a new photo every week. Because I don’t have any just yet, I’m using this lovely picture of a hydrangea for a place holder.

Tuesday (Tired of my Preface) Musings

I’m tired of my preface. Actually, I’m tired of my thesis. I got to this point with my MA too, but I’m really tired of dealing with this document. I plan to send it out Friday and then at least it is out of my hands. I defend January 2, so I’m looking forward to that and being done. I love school but I’ve been going straight for eight years. Time for a break.

In other news, one of my students was moved to tears by The Things They Carried. I didn’t really expect them to love the story. It’s difficult and a lot of them simply don’t take the time to really delve into the text, so I was pleasantly surprised to get such a genuine reaction out of someone.

The Elegant Variation is hosting a lovely give away.

Monday (Back from TG) Musings

Poem for the week:

Love Calls Us to the Things of This World

The eyes open to a cry of pulleys,
And spirited from sleep, the astounded soul
Hangs for a moment bodiless and simple
As false dawn.
Outside the open window
The morning air is awash with angels.

Some are in bed-sheets, some are in blouses,
Some are in smocks: but truly they are.
Now they are rising together in calm swells
Of halcyon feeling, filling whatever they wear
With the deep joy of their impersonal breathing;

Now they are flying in place, conveying
The terrible speed of their omnipresence, moving
And staying like white water; and now of a sudden
They swoon down into so rapt a quiet
That nobody seems to be there.
The soul shrinks

From all that it is about to remember,
From the punctual rape of every blessed day,
And cries,
“Oh let there be nothing on earth but laundry,
Nothing by rosy hand in the rising steam
And clear dances done in the sight of heaven.”

Yet, as the sun acknowledges
With a warm look the world’s hunks and colors,
The soul descends once more in bitter love
To accept the waking body, saying now
In a changed voice as the man yawns and rises,

“Bring them down from their ruddy gallows;
Let there be clean linen for the backs of thieves;
Let lovers go fresh and sweet and be undone,
And the heaviest nuns walk in a pure floating
Of dark habits,
keeping their difficult balance.”

Richard Wilbur
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Thanksgiving was hectic but enjoyable. Pittsburgh for two dinners and then off to Erie for one more. I am looking forward to the Christmas holiday. I just need to push through this week and finish up my manuscript.

It is snowing here in Indy. I have a lot of work to do tonight and I’ve been up since 5:30…kind of sounds like a country song…
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