Have Words Will Travel

I promised a full recap of the Big Day of the Poets Forum in New York, and yet here we are, two weeks later, and no recap.  I blame the sinus infection and bronchitis.  Antibiotics are my friend, though, and I’m almost feeling human again.

Of course, now a lot of that day is reduced to scrawls in my notebook, and my faulty memory.  I will say this: all the poets had really great insights to share about writing.  It was a very worthwhile series of panels and I wouldn’t hesitate to attend again.  I am disappointed that I didn’t get the opportunity to speak with any of them — people were quite aggressive about talking to them at length during the social bits afterward, so unless you’re really pushy, it was hard to get a word in.  I definitely had things I would have liked to say to a couple of them in response to their statements during the panel, but alas.  I may just have to resort to writing a few “charming notes” as Carolyn See would call them.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working like a fiend, writing, submitting, not getting any responses from my dozens of submissions that are out in the world (what is that all about? ), and now doing reviews.  I’m nearly finished with the review of Sally Van Doren’s book Sex At Noon Taxes, which will be published around December 1 on the site Gently Read Literature.  I have also offered them a review of the Cody Walker book Shuffle and Breakdown, which was given to me by a friend, and which I absolutely adored.  It’s a knockout.

Kim Addonizio recently wrote a How To Succeed In Po-Biz letter, which was posted on Poetry Daily last week.  I found it very amusing, if cynical, because of course it hit home.  Po-biz is a hard, hard road.  Why would anyone choose to be a poet?  Seriously.  What am I thinking?  It would be so much easier just to throw in the towel.  To not have to deal with all the rejections, and frustration, the lack of control, the anxiety, the egos, the poverty, etc.  If only I could make myself stop writing and submitting.  Alas, I am somehow addicted.  Obviously I’m, in some way, getting more out of it than I’m sacrificing.  It would be nice, though, not to get that look from people at parties who ask what I do.  “I’m a poet” generally results in people reacting as though I’m either insane or deluded.  Perhaps a little of both is necessary to the calling, eh?

Coming soon: the rest of the Academy of American Poets forum weekend in New York.

Last night I took the train into the city to attend the Poets Forum reading put on by the Academy of American Poets.  It was the kickoff event for their big poetry weekend in NYC (most of which I’ll be attending and will report on here.)  They had all the current Chancellors reading, except Rita Dove who couldn’t be there.  Disappointing not to have seen her, but WOW, the poets who were there were outstanding.  The exciting part for me was seeing a few legends (Gary Snyder, C.K. Williams), as well as a couple of personal poetry idols (Sharon Olds and Robert Pinsky.)

A few observations:

• C.K. Williams wore a bright orange shirt with a red tie.  Very attention-getting!  He pulled it off, I must say.
• C.K. Williams also blew me away with the exquisitely executed musicality of his reading.  As my former mentor David Wagoner would say, “The ear was at work.”  Heh.
• Gary Snyder looked exactly like his photographs.  And was wearing brightly-colored stripey socks.  And an orange shirt.  Orange shirts must be all the rage among older gentlemen poets these days.
• Robert Pinsky gets an absolutely delighted look on his face when he likes what he’s hearing.
• Sharon Olds is the kindest, sweetest, and funniest woman ever.  I adore her.  Also, she read a poem called “Douchebag Ode” and brought the house down.

After the reading, I was able to speak with Sharon Olds for a moment and have her sign my book.  Despite my determination to be cool, I was a stammering dork.  Oh well.  She was very nice about me stumbling over my words as if I just learned to speak yesterday.  I also had a moment with Robert Pinsky (and was slightly less of an idiot), with whom I spoke to about Slate.  I love that he records each poet reading to post on the website with the poems.  He said he was happy to hear that because the poetry in Slate doesn’t get many hits and they keep threatening to cut it.  What a tragedy!  If you love poetry and want to see it out in the world where regular people can read it, I urge you to bookmark the Slate poetry page and click often.  At least once a week, will you?  Not only is the poetry there very often amazing, but it’s worth doing for the cause.

Pinsky also signed his book for me.  He used my favorite pen, which I received as a gift from my family when I graduated with my MFA.  I will never wash it again!  (Ha.)

There is NO EXCUSE for not voting.  This is the most important election of our lifetimes.  Please, please, please vote today.  Take someone with you so they can vote too.  Wait in line for as long as it takes.  Call in sick to work if you must.  But vote.

I’d love everyone reading this to comment and let us all know they voted.

Information below (thanks, Moveon.org) if you need it:

Election 2008 Voting Information

Today, November 4th, is Election Day! Remember to vote—not just for Barack Obama, but for Congressional, state, and local candidates as well.

Where and when do I vote?

Find your polling place, voting times, and other important information by checking out these sites and the hotline below. These resources are good, but not perfect. To be doubly sure, you can also contact your local elections office.

Obama’s VoteForChange site: voteforchange.com
League of Women Voters’ site: vote411.org/pollfinder.php
Obama’s voter hotline: 877-US4-OBAMA (877-874-6226)
What should I do before I go?

After you’ve entered your address on either Vote For Change or Vote411, read the voting instructions and special rules for your state.
Voting ID laws vary from state to state, but if you have ID, bring it.
Check out all the voting myths and misinformation to look out for: http://truth.voteforchange.com/
What if something goes wrong?

Not on the voter list? Make sure you’re at the right polling place, then demand a provisional ballot.
If you’re voting on an electronic machine with a paper record, verify that the record is accurate.
Need legal help? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
Try to get video of the problem and submit it to VideoTheVote.org
Want to do more?

Text all of your friends: “Vote Obama today! Pass it on!”
Make calls from home for Obama.
Now everybody go vote!!!