Dear Sherman - It's my faith that poets do change the world in subtle ways not necessarily apparent especially in their own time but.... Do deeply appreciate your work and she was right - you did become a handsome man. Best, ace
Thanks for the book, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven". I look forward to reading it. Have you ever seen the video of this funny story about the real Lone Ranger?
When it was my time to invite poets to my school, I always chose poets I knew, who, besides being good poets, were fun to be with and would show students that they didn't have to have to be weighed down by albatross of affectations to be successful. Some of these poets were quirky and/or eccentric, but they were always about the work and putting the students before their egos. But when I was in charge of poets other invited, I often couldn't wait until they left, which is why I struggled at AWP conferences.
The obvious question is: "Then why did you go to those conferences, Peter?" Well, I went to promote my journal at the bookfair, to see friends from other areas of the country, and to take advantage of the fact that my school was paying for it, so it gave my wife and me a free trip away from our kids to see other cities, drink some fierce red wine, and pretend we were doing something naughty.
But one time I went without her. The short story embedded in this post is based on that visit. I think you'll relate to it. It was one of the few times I came close to getting physical but then ended up being more amused than pissed off.
“If you ask a poet to read for ten minutes,” she said, “then you can bet your life they’ll read for twenty-two. The most deadly thing a poet can say is ‘Maybe I’ll read just one more.’”
Some comments: My dad was one of those open Christians. He was a Presbyterian minister. I’m less of a theist than he was. Poets are just as likely to change the world as anyone is. Meaning, highly unlikely, but still worth being a poet. I like your poems and have even read some of them to a group of poetry lovers that gets together monthly in our retirement community.
oh, Sheman, you make me laugh out loud. AND I am reading tonight--I was asked to read my poetry--no time limit! Are they in trouble? I'm not very good with numbers unless we're talking tarot or astrology or the things that connect like fibonacci but on the angel devil scale, back to 14 and 15 if you wish the major arcana, i sum it up by saying I i write about sex and death, a bit of angel a bit of devil, eh? So, thank you for all you share with us.
For context, I bet 49% is probably the highest angel factor in the full list of professions… who else works for the betterment of humanity for free, religiously, lives with the lowest possible carbon footprint (by force but that’s irrelevant), and so forth? Poets for President! I mean, what angel factor does a CEO have?
Dear Sherman - It's my faith that poets do change the world in subtle ways not necessarily apparent especially in their own time but.... Do deeply appreciate your work and she was right - you did become a handsome man. Best, ace
Ha! Thanks Sherman. I really liked this story. So true. I do believe it.
And sometimes the poets write back! I have done that! And got a note back.
Writing a note to apoet!
Ah, to receive a note would change my world.
thank you.
Sherm, is this lady poet still with us?
She is not.
Thanks for the book, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven". I look forward to reading it. Have you ever seen the video of this funny story about the real Lone Ranger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2ZWRlpNYg
I watched that, what a hoot! thanks
It's all true! I like this essay, even though none of it is true.
Sherman:
When it was my time to invite poets to my school, I always chose poets I knew, who, besides being good poets, were fun to be with and would show students that they didn't have to have to be weighed down by albatross of affectations to be successful. Some of these poets were quirky and/or eccentric, but they were always about the work and putting the students before their egos. But when I was in charge of poets other invited, I often couldn't wait until they left, which is why I struggled at AWP conferences.
The obvious question is: "Then why did you go to those conferences, Peter?" Well, I went to promote my journal at the bookfair, to see friends from other areas of the country, and to take advantage of the fact that my school was paying for it, so it gave my wife and me a free trip away from our kids to see other cities, drink some fierce red wine, and pretend we were doing something naughty.
But one time I went without her. The short story embedded in this post is based on that visit. I think you'll relate to it. It was one of the few times I came close to getting physical but then ended up being more amused than pissed off.
https://johnsonp.substack.com/p/a-travel-bag-for-literary-conferences
wonderful
“If you ask a poet to read for ten minutes,” she said, “then you can bet your life they’ll read for twenty-two. The most deadly thing a poet can say is ‘Maybe I’ll read just one more.’”
If you give a mouse a cookie!
Sherman, thank you for continuing to add adventure to my life through writing. You have changed my world many times.
Some comments: My dad was one of those open Christians. He was a Presbyterian minister. I’m less of a theist than he was. Poets are just as likely to change the world as anyone is. Meaning, highly unlikely, but still worth being a poet. I like your poems and have even read some of them to a group of poetry lovers that gets together monthly in our retirement community.
oh, Sheman, you make me laugh out loud. AND I am reading tonight--I was asked to read my poetry--no time limit! Are they in trouble? I'm not very good with numbers unless we're talking tarot or astrology or the things that connect like fibonacci but on the angel devil scale, back to 14 and 15 if you wish the major arcana, i sum it up by saying I i write about sex and death, a bit of angel a bit of devil, eh? So, thank you for all you share with us.
For context, I bet 49% is probably the highest angel factor in the full list of professions… who else works for the betterment of humanity for free, religiously, lives with the lowest possible carbon footprint (by force but that’s irrelevant), and so forth? Poets for President! I mean, what angel factor does a CEO have?