A downsized heart keeps its daily pulseamid the accumulated clutter, the bric-a-bracof pack-rat years:
I'm very pleased for Richard. A decade ago, I took a weekend workshop with him . . . in the days when I was petrified about venturing any public steps toward being a writer, when I was still just beginning to formulate the poems that led to Boy Land. So it was an honor, and also very strange, to be a finalist with Richard; and it seems right to me that he should have won.
Last night I did get to visit with numerous people I rarely see, and that was certainly worth four hours in the car. I talked to a copyeditor whose work I admire, which is always a bracing pick-me-up for a fellow copyeditor. And I saw a remarkable moon shining through a window blind.
2 comments:
What a beautiful opening to Richard's poem -- I'll definitely check it out. It's nice that you respect the person who won and that you have a connection with him. It sounds like the evening was a success. (and the moon really was remarkable last night!)
Dawn, It was a very nice event indeed. I was disappointed that you did not win, AND that I did not win. I agree with your comments about Richard's poetry and will definitely get the book.
I do think it was a bit strange that our Poet Laureate was in the competition however. I think while he serves in that capacity, his work stands above the rest just by virtue of who he is, and therefore (in my opinion) he ought not be in the pool with the rest of us. His win in the anthology competition left a bit of a taste in my mouth. The two other finalists probably did not have a chance when up against the PL.
Post a Comment