Verse Daily!

I am so thrilled for both Pebble Lake Review and Jack Ridl, whose poem, "That's Enough," appeared on today's Verse Daily. How exciting! Thanks to my staff for working so hard on PLR and to all of our wonderful contributors.

Thanks, Kristin, for this photo from Becky's party. I may use this one for the back cover. I can't decide!  

Is That All There Is to a Poetry Seminar?

Well, I'm back from PA and am already nostalgic (thanks Eddy, for pointing out this character trait). Lewisburg, the TINIEST TOWN ever, was actually beautiful in an old-Americana sort of way. It was great to meet some of the best younger poets from across the U.S. and to have this prestigious opportunity to work with them as well at the Bucknell Staff, Mary Ruefle, and David St. John. I did a lot of writing and reading (recommend: The Captain Lands in Paradise by Sarah Manguso and Birthmark by Jon Pineda). It was exciting to find out that both Kevin Young and Ilya Kaminsky were both Bucknell Younger Poets. Oh, there's hope yet.

Anyway, I'm going to go have dinner and watch a movie with Jeff, but thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support. Leave posts for me!!

This is Bucknell Hall/The Stadler Center for Poetry, where we had run of the Mildred Martin poetry library and where Emily Claman had her first taste of "Jesus cookies" in the upstairs chapel (shown) 

My room at Bucknell. Thank you to everyone who sent me cards, pictures, and yummy care packages! 

This is before the picnic at Rebecca Warner's house, taken by the fabulous David St. John. L-R (top) Elizabeth McDonnell, Sarah Smith, Becca Wadlinger, Evan Beaty, Kristin Aardsma, Alex Quinlan, Emily Claman, Melanie Rivera, (seated) Chris Lirette, me, Sarah Shepherd, Ryan Heisel 

Alex Quinlan (er. . .Mark Doty) with a lightning bug 

After our final poetry reading [L-R] (top row) Evan Beaty, Rebecca Warner, Sarah Smith, Kristin Aardsma, Alex Quinlan (second) Elizabeth McDonnell, Becca Wadlinger, Chris Lirette (bottom) me 

This is a few of us wanton beauties after our final poetry reading. L-R: Sarah Shepherd, Becca Wadlinger, me, and Kristin Aardsma 

This is me and Rebecca Warner, who is lovely and completely wanton. 

Me, with Kristin Aardsma, Chris Lirette, and Sarah Smith before our last poetry reading. Kristin & Chris are doing David Bowie & Sarah, well, is presenting her homage to rhinoerotica (if you have to ask. . .) 

This was taken by our gracious and very helpful limo driver the last morning @ Bucknell. L-R: (top row) Chris Lirette, Rebecca Warner, Evan Beaty, me (seated) Alex Quinlan, Sarah Smith, Becca Wadlinger, Kristin Aardsma (and my roomie). I miss all of you already! 

This is the photo that will be used for the back cover of my poetry collection, Light Under Skin, forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. Thanks, Alex Quinlan, for taking it! 

This is a sketch my friend Eddy did the other night while we were on the phone. Apparently, it's his artistic impression of me. It's lovely. 

Whirlwind!

This has been an amazing 3 weeks. I've been here in Lewisburg, PA at the Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets and it's been a whirlwind of writing, reading, and meeting new people.

At first, it was difficult for me being one of the oldest "younger" poets, but I've since adjusted. I've had the opportunity to work with some wonderful poets: Paula Closson Buck, Rebecca Warner, David St. John, and Mary Ruefle, to name a few. The workshops have been very productive and I really feel very fortunate to have met and lived with the other fellows for these 3 weeks.

While here, I also found out that Finishing Line Press will be publishing my collection of poems, Light Under Skin! It still doesn't seem real. It's funny, the day after, I got a rejection slip from the Yale Review. It seems like everything in the universe must be balanced.

I took some photos today of an old barn that was used as a station on the Underground Railroad. I also have photos of Bucknell Hall, where the Stadler Center for Poetry is located, and photos from the dinner party at Rebecca Warner's house. Hopefully, I will be able to post some of these when I get back to Houston.

Thanks to everyone for your kind support! I look forward to returning home and eating a huge plate of Mexican food!