Can of Corn

Reading tomorrow (17th) w/ Allen Fisher at the Blue Bus

2012-01-16T09:20:00.002-05:00

Reading tomorrow (17th) w/ Allen Fisher at the Blue Bus in London from 7.30 at The Lamb. 94 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1

black eyes

2011-12-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

Comrade Lovejoy has survived. The Sun asks for a rematch.

behind the bar at the Rose

2011-12-13T19:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am happy

2011-12-03T07:11:00.004-05:00

Had a run of really nice days. Read down in Cambridge and then a few days later at Xing the Line in London. At each place I got to see some of my favorite poets. There were more favorite poets, but these are the photos where I am standing next to that favorite poet and being happy.

Aiden Semmens. Goar. Peter Riley in Cambridge

Goar. Geraldine Monk. Xing the Line. London

Goar. Ken Edwards. Xing the Line. London

Goar. Peter Riley. Cambridge

Xing evidence

2011-12-03T06:45:00.007-05:00

Photos by Sang-yeon Lee unless noted
Photo of Jeff Hilson and Jim Goar by Sharon Borthwick
Jim Goar by Sharon Borthwick

Xing the Line: Jim Goar & Geraldine Monk

2011-11-27T11:38:00.003-05:00

If you are in London on 30 November, why not come out and hear some poetry? Geraldine and I will both be launching our new books at Xing the Line. Details here

Free Shipping on the Weekend of the Launch

2011-11-19T04:40:00.001-05:00

The Louisiana Purchase has launched. I know you have already ordered it, but it not, RMP is offering free shipping this weekend. Click here for details.

one day at the library

2011-11-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

A wonderful thing in the UEA library: SBP and Famous Americans side by side. Will see where LP ends up in this mix.

pre-order The Louisiana Purchase

2011-10-26T00:23:00.003-04:00

You can pre-order The Louisiana Purchase at the Rose Metal site. When you get there, if you are still not sure, read the blurbs and an excerpt. Then buy it. Then buy it again for your other bag. Then buy it again for your desk, your cat, your western facing window. All will be thankful.

The Louisiana Purchase

2011-10-16T11:42:00.003-04:00

Dacheux: Slack Lust

2011-08-22T01:46:00.003-04:00

I have been lucky enough to have Stacy Dacheux teaming up with me on past simple since its start about five years ago. If you like her work there, check out what else she is doing at the magazine she founded and edits, Slack Lust.

New past simple

2011-08-19T06:05:00.004-04:00

With work by: Matthew Langley / Ágnes Lehóczky / Alex Houen / Craig Foltz / Ruth Williams / Sean Burke / Matthew London / Stacy Dacheux

www.pastsimple.org

The second stage

2011-07-17T00:24:00.002-04:00

Looks like the only time I post on Can of Corn is when I get a note from Pirooz. They have now moved to the second stage of the funding drive for his movie, Shoplifting from American Apparel. You can find out how to help fund the movie here.

2011-03-24T08:18:00.002-04:00

An interview with Pirooz about "Shoplifting from American Apparel" as well as a new site for fund raising

Shoplifting from American Apparel

2011-03-03T00:09:00.007-05:00

Pirooz does not stop. This movie will get made. Here is the trailer. If it gets you excited, why not donate a few of your hard won dollars to make this happen?

Seoul Bus Poems in etcetera

2011-02-23T18:32:00.003-05:00

Robert Van Egghen says that Seoul Bus Poems evokes "a landscape which is slipping away as it is being seen". Read it here. Thanks to Robert and etcetera for this review.

slack lust

2011-02-10T19:08:00.001-05:00

Stacy Dacheux's splendid e-zine, dedicated to cultural investigations, is now in its second issue.

Support Reality Street

2010-12-23T19:06:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite things about Reality Street books are the names in the back. I enjoy knowing that these people, many of them very familiar, all have Seoul Bus Poems. I also like being a part of other people's books. In 2011 I will be. Maybe you'd like to sign up for the supporter scheme and get these five books and have your name in the back of each?

James Davies: Plants
Leopold Haas: The Raft
Richard Makin: Dwelling
Carol Watts: Occasionals
Johan de Wit: Gero Nimo

How did this happen?

2010-12-23T02:14:00.001-05:00

I am 35

a review of SBP by Michael Peverett

2010-12-22T19:44:00.002-05:00

Michael Peverett has a very insightful review of Seoul Bus Poems up at Intercapillary Space.

Rose Metal Press is five

2010-12-21T18:35:00.004-05:00

Rose Metal Press is five years old. Adult teeth have moved in. They need money for braces. Help them! They will help you. For details on their funding drive, click here.

RMP will also have two reading periods this year. One period will be for a chapbook manuscript. The other reading period will be for a manuscript of a length appropriate to perfect bind. I say you submit to both. I also say you win both. Let no book but yours be published in 2012.

from The Dustbowl

2010-12-19T22:28:00.002-05:00

Some poems from The Dustbowl have just been published by English. You can see the advance access copy here.

A new issue of past simple

2010-12-17T19:58:00.002-05:00

past simple 9

edited by Marcus Slease

In this issue you will find work from Poland and work not from Poland. The work not from Poland is sometimes from the USA, but not always or even mostly.

Country Music #1

2010-12-13T18:33:00.009-05:00

Scott Abels has just released the first issue of Country Music. Find your way there. The cast includes:

Clay Matthews
Lucy Biederman
Matt Hart
Samuel Day Wharton
Peter Davis
Amber Nelson
Jim Goar
Jackie Clark
Adrian Kien
Karena Youtz
Scott Abels
J. Reuben Appelman

Now the lesson is over / And the killing 's begun

Game two

2010-10-30T03:33:00.001-04:00

Game One

2010-10-27T18:03:00.002-04:00

One of the best things about living in Asia is not having to wait a whole day for this game. Wake up. An hour to go. Some coffee. Radio on. Have you read the New York Times today? Did you see this quote from Brian Wilson?

“I’d like to be a crossword clue one day,” he said. “I want to be in The New York Times’s Sunday edition. Right now, the clue ‘Giants great’ is always Mel Ott. I want my clue to be down, not across. The down ones are usually harder. And when I’m the clue, I’ll fill it in — just that one — and frame it.

“How sweet would that be?”

2010-10-26T19:15:00.005-04:00

The Giants Win the Pennant!
Uploaded by TheDodgerhater. - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.

2010-10-24T21:09:00.003-04:00

Ready for Atlanta

2010-10-04T15:28:00.005-04:00

"That's the first time I've seen some absolute, unadulterated craziness out of the guy (Posey)," Wilson said. "I thought he was going to punch me, and I was totally accepting of it. I was finding a reason not to thank him for punching me, actually, if he did."

Every since Wilson was fined for having "too much awesome" on his feet, I have been a fan. The guy is a goof that comes up big. He is the most interesting man in the world. One more reason to like the guy, as reported by El Lefty Malo:

I didn't see it, but Krukow mentioned it on the post-game radio. Brian Wilson found Rod Beck's widow and two daughters and asked someone to take their picture together. Wilson said he was glad Sunday to tie, not break, Beck's Giant record of 48 saves. And he made sure to honor Beck, who was no saint, by pausing the party to take a moment with his family. Mohawk, deadly tattooed right arm, weird beard, prankishness, a bunch of manly-man saves, and a lot of heart.

2010-09-03T12:59:00.002-04:00

"I just want to continue to learn to live with what am I, to adapt and evolve."

Elliott Gould in a NY Times interview on the 4oth anniversary of M.A.S.H

I am all for the question in a statement. A good place to be.

Openned

2010-08-20T14:17:00.000-04:00

Openned continues to do the work. They are now a press.

An easy CPR

2010-07-25T20:13:00.002-04:00

Here is a new model for CPR developed at the University of Arizona. The old model seemed complicated. This one is rather easy. Worth taking a few minutes to watch the video. Never know when there will be a poet down.

Gangway #40 – Expatriations: The expatriat edition.

2010-07-23T12:34:00.003-04:00

Funny, many of the writers in the new Gangway are familiar. I am friends with a few and have exchanged e-mails with others. This is an issue very much like one I would create at past simple. Helen Lambert did a great job and I am very happy to be included in Gangway #40 – Expatriations: The expatriat edition.

2010-07-10T08:43:00.000-04:00

Sea People: Christina Thompson and family

2010-07-03T13:40:00.001-04:00

Concern about the future of the Kerouac School. Find details here

Reality Street Summer Sale

2010-06-30T09:12:00.001-04:00

From Ken Edwards:

Reality Street announces its SUMMER SALE of selected titles from the back catalogue. This unique opportunity to acquire some of the most interesting innovative poetry texts of recent years at knock-down prices is available exclusively to visitors to http://www.realitystreet.co.uk during July and August. Buy the books with your debit/credit card via our PayPal site.

Kelvin Corcoran; Lyric Lyric (was £5.99) £2
Allen Fisher: Dispossession & Cure (was £6.50) £2
Fanny Howe: O’Clock (was £6.50) £2
Tony Lopez: Data Shadow (was £6.50) £2
Denise Riley: Selected Poems (was £9) £5
Lisa Robertson: Debbie: An Epic (was £7.50) £2
Lisa Robertson: The Weather (was £7.50) £2
John Seed: Interior in the Open Air (was £5.99) £1
Maurice Scully: Steps (was £6.50) £2
Robert Sheppard: The Lores (was £7.50) £2
Lawrence Upton: Wire Sculptures (was £5) £2
John Welch: Blood & Dreams (was £6.99) £1

Five From Finland: translated & edited by Anselm Hollo (was £7.50) £2
Out of Everywhere: linguistically innovative poetry by women in North America & the UK, edited by Maggie O’Sullivan (was £12.50) £5
Reality Street 4Pack #2: Vital Movement (Andy Brown, Jennifer Chalmers, Mike Higgins, Ira Lightman) (was £5) £1
Reality Street 4Pack #3: New Tonal Language (Patricia Farrell, Shelby Matthews, Simon Perril, Keston Sutherland) (was £5) £1
Reality Street 4Pack #4: Renga+ (Guy Barker, Elizabeth James, Peter Manson) (was £5) £1

Offer is valid while stocks remain or until 31 August 2010. Direct internet orders accepted from individual retail customers only via http://www.realitystreet.co.uk, and limited to one copy of each title – offer not available elsewhere. Postage & packing will be added at the following rates (valid anywhere in the world): £2.50 (orders totalling up to £5); £3.50 (£5.01-£14.99); £5 (£15-£24.99); £6.50 (£25 upward).

Seoul Bus launches in UK while I am in NC

2010-06-28T17:13:00.002-04:00

Hear Tom Raworth read a few Seoul Bus Poems at the London launch.

this will never get old

2010-06-24T21:23:00.005-04:00

2010-06-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

pinch me!

Poems up in the 40th and final Jacket

2010-06-21T15:18:00.001-04:00

New poems from The Dustbowl at Jacket 40

2010-06-21T14:49:00.001-04:00

How can I stay angry? New Zealand. A perfect goal by David Villa. Three games a day. World Cup, I love you. Please don't go away.

another look at the play

2010-06-19T09:43:00.001-04:00

From The Offside Rules

A point is a point, but this was something ugly

2010-06-18T12:49:00.002-04:00

BBC Radio 5 live's David Moyes

"I've just seen that disallowed goal for the US again - and not only was there no foul by a US player, there are probably two penalty-kick offences being committed by the Slovenian defenders. Shocking decision."

Independent

Edu: An ultimately ineffectual substitution. Did little but score a harshly disallowed goal.

2010-06-16T13:15:00.000-04:00

Seoul Bus Poems at Tesco?

Action Books open reading June 1-July 15.

2010-06-09T15:05:00.000-04:00

The one, the only, Action Books is having its open reading right now. Can't beat that with a stick.

Seoul Bus Poems

2010-06-07T10:55:00.006-04:00

I received a box of books the other day, so now it is official, Seoul Bus Poems is out in the world. These poems were written in Seoul, South Korea, 2004-07. While most began on a bus, one began in Bangkok and others in rooms between Yonsei University and Bongwon-sa. A good portion of these poems can be seen by clicking on the links to the right.

Of the publication, Ken Edwards of Reality Street had this to say:

Reality Street has published two new poetry titles by established and new US poets. Fanny Howe's Emergence is her first book for the press since O'Clock, published fifteen years ago. By contrast, Jim Goar's Seoul Bus Poems is his first ever perfect-bound book. Reality Street is pleased to be introducing this talented new poet. At this time, it's unlikely he will make the launch of these two books on 22 June at The Blue Bus, 94 Lamb's Conduit St, London WC1, but I'm glad to say Fanny Howe will be there, and will be reading alongside Tom Raworth - who may also read some of Jim's poems.

You can read more about Reality Street and its history here

If you’d like to purchase Seoul Bus Poems, you have a few options. You can buy it through the Reality Street web site

Or you can buy it through Amazon UK

If you live in the UK, either option makes sense. If you live outside of the UK, the Reality Street option will save you a bunch on shipping.

One good reason why the Giants have problems

2010-06-06T20:28:00.004-04:00

When I was young, I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. I had just realized that I was never going to be a super hero. It was a tough day. It seems our Bruce Bochy (manager of the Giants) has not yet realized this. Bochy is the "he" in this 2006 USA today article.

"He thinks he's Manu, the world's greatest athlete," Towers says. "Sometimes he's crazy. We walked to the Golden Gate Bridge once. It must have been a 10-mile walk. The walk almost killed him. But he stands there and tells me that he thinks he can jump off the bridge and survive. I tell him only a few people have ever survived that jump, but he doesn't think it's that tough."

This is the man who walks the lineup out to the umpire. It makes me sad. There is a reason why Molina keeps batting 4th.

A quick review

2010-06-05T15:25:00.008-04:00

What does it take to engage in/with a poem? I've been with Spicer now for years and neck deep in his Grail for the past two. I am still not there. That is OK. I love this hunt. I like going round and round and off on all sorts of adventures because of a few words on a page.

Today I was reading something on Jacket and the author of the review edited a magazine and so I looked. On the cover of this magazine was a beautiful woman. Her poems were inside. I could not wait. Before I could get to her poems there was a bio. She comes from an important family. Oxford University Press published her poetry books. Now I really want to know. And scanning down still farther, I begin to read a poem by Fatima Bhutto:

Karachi air

Breathed in through the lungs

Yes, welcome to my pain. After this long search this is how a poem begins? Shit. Where else does the air go (and, mostly because I am already pissed of, does it go through? For the lungs, doesn't it go in)? This angered me. I am still angry, in my lungs. I read on, angrily, still in my lungs, and I find a nice end rhyme: sweet and heat. Fuck. Does this have to unfold this way? To ask these questions, do I need to continue with this poem? No.... this is enough. I am going out so that I may experience:

Brevard air

Breathed in through the lungs.

Maybe that was her point all along.

Jacket 40: Alice Notley

2010-06-03T13:36:00.002-04:00

I am reading Alice Notley's interview in this final issue of Jacket. Her mind, it goes over and over without smoothing. The repetitions are infectious and build tension. Take a look.

Black Ocean Open Reading

2010-06-02T12:22:00.002-04:00

If you don't already know, Black Ocean is having its annual open reading. I love Black Ocean. I love them for their books, but I also love them because they do not charge anything for this open reading. They trust in the goodness of the people submitting. Submit your work. Support the press; buy a book. These things go hand in hand. It is an implicit agreement which I am very happy to make.

Enough of the soap box. The reading period lasts all of June.

the website for innovative British poetry

2010-05-31T14:21:00.003-04:00

A very informative and complete, as complete can be, listing of things poetry in the UK.

It is good to be liked

2010-05-20T21:43:00.001-04:00

Dear Writers,

Please stop telling me that you were nominated for the Pushcart. I don’t think this means what you think it means. Here is the opening of their guidelines.

The Pushcart Prize nomination process.
Little magazine and small book press editors (print or online) may make up to six nominations from their year’s publications by our December 1, (postmark) deadline.

This means that ANYONE can nominate ANYONE for this prize. You could also tell me that your mother likes your poetry. Neither are badges of honor. Please stop. If you must talk about the pushcart, please only talk about it if you win. At least, there, I can be sure that your mother had nothing to do with it.

past simple 8

2010-05-10T14:31:00.002-04:00

past simple eight, edited and designed by Stacy Dacheux, is now available for your viewing pleasure.

SoundEye 09

2010-05-02T12:22:00.003-04:00

Here is a nice run down of SoundEye 09 by Mairéad Byrne. You can find the above and more pictures here.

From Pirooz. Help The Human War

2010-03-15T02:09:00.002-04:00

(Tom Henwood previews assembly footage via video chat of a scene from The Human War, featuring Gil Mantera's Party Dream)

Latest Update: The film is being edited as we speak. Tom and I are doing meetings and watching assembly footage, while I'm here trying to raise funds and tie loose ends in South Korea.

Youngstown Visit: Tom will be arriving on March 18th with a small crew to get the last couple shots of the film. If you are willing to offer help or intern for the day, please e-mail th@sanghafilms.com.

20K More To Go: I am busy trying to come up with inventive ways to raise finishing funds for our enterprise. We are so close now, but we've got to come up with money quickly. If you're interested in helping us raise the final 20k we need to complete the film, please make a donation however small to the donation button below. $100 from 100 Friends: My hope is to get $100 from 100 friends. That would be the easiest way to indie film paradise at the moment. If you've got a bit of cash, please pay it forward. Please also be sure to save your paypal confirmation, as you can write off this donation on your taxes.

Other News: Sangha Films is proud to announce that the next feature slated for filming in 2012 will be Tao Lin's "Shoplifting from American Apparel." Of course, we will chat more about the second film shortly. Now we're busy with getting THE HUMAN WAR ready for next year's premiere.

Please help our movie come into being.

THE HUMAN WAR.

Donate (Click Here)

2010-02-14T02:43:00.002-05:00

Blackbox Manifold and Poetry Wales have published some work from The Dustbowl. These poems are slowly becoming a book. So pleased to see them in such good company.

2010-01-25T22:21:00.001-05:00

The So and So Magazine is up. Many thanks to the guys for letting me read and for giving these poems a home.

The Human War

2009-12-04T12:40:00.002-05:00

Pirooz and Tom are filming the movie. Everyday I head over to see what progress has been made. Sets, actors, paintings. I will see if I can be an extra.

2009-11-26T23:52:00.001-05:00

Help Pirooz make the Human War. Details on how to play a part in the financing of this film at his blog.

Innovation in the UK

2009-11-26T22:11:00.002-05:00

Amy De'Ath

As It Stands: Innovation, the Post-Avant, and Current Publishing Practices

A really good look at how things are in the UK.

Past Simple 7

2009-11-20T13:57:00.004-05:00

Pirooz Kalayeh guest edited this issue of Past Simple 7.

I'm enjoying reading through this issue slowly and discovering. Past simple still feels like my hand, but my hand is no longer attached to my body.

2009-11-15T13:22:00.002-05:00

RSE and you

2009-11-08T14:41:00.000-05:00

I just received some samples of what Seoul Bus Poems will look like. This book will be out in the world in six months or so. I will give updates as they come. SBP will be one of four books published by Reality Street Editions this year. Reality Street is run by Ken Edwards. He has a supporter scheme in place where with one purchase you get four books. Even better, if you purchase the scheme before the books come out, your name will be in each of the books. You can see who has signed up already and add your name to the list By making the purchase now, you will be ensuring that this small press, so valuable to poetry for well over twenty years, is able to keep doing the good work.

SoundEye 13

2009-10-17T16:03:00.003-04:00

Many of The S oundEye 13 readings are now posted on YouTube.

The music I needed tonight

2009-08-27T23:04:00.003-04:00

If you don't know by now, it is Tony Tost's America. Listen to the podcasts and be thankful that you are so lucky.

2009-08-15T09:32:00.002-04:00

Back in NC all safe and sound. Think SY and I might be leaving in about a month. Maybe heading to Switzerland. Plans are still in the air. Anyway, perfect summer weather. BBQ and beer. Heading out the door this morning for a reading in Raleigh, NC. It is a five hour drive, but am very excited to hear the other readers and meet the good people that come. If you are interested, the reading takes place tonight at 8p at Morning Times. I will be reading with Emily Frey & Zach Schomburg.

2009-07-07T08:55:00.001-04:00

The only good thing about the Dodgers is Vin Scully.

If you follow this link and scroll down a bit you can listen to

The 50th Anniversary of Vin Scully's Greatest Call Ever

Louise Wilson in the NY Times

2009-07-06T14:45:00.001-04:00

But when you are starting out, and you’re Ann Demeulemeester or any of them, you’re dressing your friends, and your friends reflect something.

Love that idea. Poems for friends and poems for ghosts. Keep it close. Let your friends wear your work. Wear the work of your friends.

Blue Bus

2009-06-23T07:11:00.003-04:00

Heading down to London for the Blue Bus Reading.

From David Miller:

The Blue Bus is pleased to present a reading by Giles Goodland, John Phillips and Jim Goar, at The Lamb, 94 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1, in the upstairs room, on Tuesday 23^rd of June, 7.30. This is the twenty-seventh in THE BLUE BUS series. Admissions: £5 / £3 (concessions).

Giles Goodland read at the very first Blue Bus event, and we are pleased to welcome him back. Giles’ books include Overlay, A Spy in the House of Years and Capital. Giles currently lives in London and works in Oxford. This reading will be the London launch of his new book, What the Things Sang (Shearsman, 2009).

John Phillips’ publications include Language Is (Sardines Press), Soundless ( Punch Press), Pages ( Country Valley Press) , Spell ( Kater Murr's Press), A Small Window ( Longhouse). He edits the magazine Hassle. After living abroad for some years, he now resides in St Ives.

Jim Goar has spent the past few years living in Changsha, Bangkok, and Seoul. He now lives in Norwich where he is studying Jack Spicer's The Holy Grail. His book, Seoul Bus Poems, is coming out with Reality Street Editions. He edits the online journal, past simple. Pieces from his most recent work, The Dust Bowl, will be in Jacket 37, Poetry Wales, and English.

Please note that we will also be launching John Phillips' pamphlet from Kater Murr's Press, 'Spell', which will be on sale.

Also, as a tribute to the late US poet and painter Linda Bryant, who died late last month, Kater Murr's will be making available a broadsheet of Linda's, completely free. First come, first served - there will only be a small number of copies available.

Kater Murr's will also be making available a small number of copies of a broadsheet of Giles Goodland's for an almost giveaway price, in honour of this event.

Jacket 37

2009-06-16T17:16:00.005-04:00

I have a short article and a few poems in Jacket's 37th issue.

2009-06-15T12:12:00.002-04:00

A great day for poetry

2009-05-27T06:43:00.002-04:00

I would like to announce my candidacy for the position of Oxford Professor of Poetry.

2009-05-17T09:00:00.004-04:00

Some good news these past few days. From October until March I worked exclusively in prose. I studied Spicer's, The Holy Grail. I went line by line looking where his poems pointed. There were instances of Arthurian Legend, but there were also so many other directions he went. I tried to track and so better understand what was happening in his poems. I recently received word that Jacket is going to publish my look at The Book of the Death of Arthur. I know that the research was helpful for me. I hope it will also be helpful for others. From this study, I began to write a series of poems which began in Arthurian Legend, but now seem to have much to do with the Dustbowl. Jacket is also going to publish some of these. As far as level of excitement goes, the acceptance of my prose, since it is where I feel weakest, is the bigger thrill. And, just yesterday, I got word that Poetry Wales wants to publish a few poems.

Ground Attack

2009-05-13T07:42:00.002-04:00

I know. Don't get excited. This team can't hit. It is early in the season. They are only 18-14. Only 18-14? Even my dreams don't get this wild. Just got done watching the game. Have grown to really enjoy waking up every morning, sitting in my hammock with coffee and yogurt, and watching the game. I did not think I would enjoy watching archived games, but today I got so excited about a homerun that happened five hours before that I spilled coffee on myself and scared sy from sleep. There was noise. I am growing to love this team. The Giants are leading the league in infield hits and in fun. Just look at that graph. Down by one with two outs in the ninth. Nobody on. We are looking at a 97% chance of a Nats win. Then a single. Then a wild throw to first. Then a walk. Man on first and second for Pablo Sandoval. Homerun. Great way to start the day.

2009-05-08T11:35:00.003-04:00

If you like US soccer and want to follow all the football news, this is a good place to start.

How it began as told by sy

2009-05-04T13:05:00.002-04:00

Reading

2009-05-03T04:51:00.003-04:00

Many thanks to Anthony Joseph & Sascha Akhtar for putting on such a nice event. The reading went well. Ira Lightman has so many voices, and, from what I could tell, went into and after everyone from Plath to Language poetry. He also sang two poems. One Blake and one Poe. I felt a bit off in my reading. Think I tried to squeeze too many poems into 20 minutes. Learning experience. Construction on the tracks last night. Hustled back to Liverpool Station to catch a bus. The bus was late, then we were told the bus was not coming, and right after that the bus arrived. Without the bus I would have slept right there on the ground. So, happy it came. Got to Ingatestone at around 1a. Waited for a late train. Waited. Train came. In Norwich at 3a. Asleep at 4.

The best part of going to London is seeing Marcus. Went to a fish and chips place right next to the Poetry Cafe. Sadly I had to hustle to the train station. Not enough time to talk.

If you are in London

2009-05-02T07:44:00.003-04:00

Heading out the door for my reading tonight in London.

I will be at The Poetry Cafe Tonight. Est Morte starts at 7:30

Always a long trip. Hesitate before I go and then wish I was not walking to the train station, getting on the train, ridding the train. But then. London. Ah, I am glad I got here. I am excited to read. And then the reading is over and I need to get that 1130p train back to Norwich and I wish I was back there. At 3a, when I get back back, I will be glad to crawl into bed.

2009-05-02T07:30:00.002-04:00

Yes, poor Carol Ann Duffy. She is being excluded. Ah, but now she is the Poet Laureate. Sure that stink about her poem didn't hurt.

Loren Goodman, Guest Blogger April 26-May 2 at BAP

2009-05-02T06:46:00.002-04:00

Spending time at The Best American Poetry blog bc Loren Goodman is there. He talks about Jungle Cabs. He give me pictures of food I see in my dreams. If you can't go to Korea, sit in one of his classes, and win a few stuffed animals with him, you can at least watch others do what you wish you were doing.

Black Ocean's Open Reading Period

2009-04-29T04:49:00.001-04:00

"As publishing writers we do not believe in reading fees and will consider all submissions based on the merit of their work and quality of writing. That said, please take the time and consideration to familiarize yourself with our titles before sending us a manuscript. More than simply supporting the press through your purchase, you will be extending us the same respect we have for the submissions we receive."

The reading period is between May 1st and June 30th.

LA LANGOUSTINE EST MORTE- details

2009-04-27T12:18:00.001-04:00

WHERE: Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, Tube: Covent Garden

WHEN: May 2nd Saturday 2009 7:30

WHAT: LA LANGOUSTINE EST MORTE

La Langoustine Est Morte continues bringing you the best of experimental, international & non-governmental poetics, ficionne & performance.

Hosts: Anthony Joseph & Sascha Akhtar.

Ira Lightman is a conceptual poet, as surreal as Vic n'Bob, according to Kate Fox. He regularly appears on Radio 3's The Verb, last year wearing a blindfold for a week to write Miltonic verse. He makes award-winning Public Art throughout the North East, and lately in Willenhall in the West Midlands. His book DUETCETERA (Shearsman) is a collection of double-column poems, which he duets with people from all around the world on his YouTube channel

Jim Goar’s Whole Milk is available from Effing Press. Seoul Bus Poems, a collection written during a three year stay in Seoul, will be published by Reality Street Editions. Some recent poetry has appeared in Typo, Octopus, Word for / Word, Harvard Review, Cimarron Review, LIT and No Tell Motel. He edits the online journal, past simple.

Anna Ticehurst is studying at Sussex University, & has had poems published with QUID, online with Dusie, and

Capillary Interspace, and the Openned magazines, Cannibal Spices and

Poemklatch.

La Langoustine est morte

2009-04-20T18:39:00.004-04:00

I will be reading at La Langoustine est morte on the 2nd of May (Saturday) at 7:30p. Click this link for a map to the Poetry Cafe and more information about the poetry it houses.

2009-04-09T18:41:00.002-04:00

Baseball all the time. Watching MLB.com. Might not be perfect in their internet flow, but they are trying and it is better than the other options of no TV in the UK. So happy to be able to watch the Giants everyday. See the Grail. Take the Grail. I feel that 90 wins is a possibility.

2009-04-07T12:53:00.001-04:00

The video is still funny, but no longer relevant. The U of A got a great coach. I am happy. Tucson is happy. Sean Miller is exactly what the cats need.

Wildcat Basketball

2009-04-03T07:12:00.002-04:00

Who is going to coach the Wildcats? Why has this job turned suddenly toxic? Click on the video for some answers.

2009-04-01T19:05:00.003-04:00

Reading HTML GIANT. Nothing better going on. Enjoyed their look at the NY Tyrant. Thing is, my bookshelf is not so hot either. Not that it matters, but there it is. Really though, the books that matter most right now are bellow the hammock or beside the toilet.

Back from the Openned reading

2009-03-26T09:08:00.007-04:00

Had a great time at the Openned reading. Think I made more friends than enemies. The foundry was packed. All chairs taken. Standing room in the back three deep. Had no idea this many people cared about poetry. Read from my Arthur sequence. Saw a video camera. Must be video. If it gets posted, I will post it here. *update: no video*

Got the 11:30p train back to Norwich. At some point I fell asleep. Woke up and the train was empty. Strange to be in an empty train late at night. Was happy when I got out. Taxi home. Asleep at 2:30a.

Back in my hammock today. Writing. Listing to archived Giants spring training games. Need the sound of baseball these days.

Changed the submission guidelines for past simple seven. Will only take poems first published on a personal blog. Would like to do something about ownership in poetry. The unquestioning. Why no previously published poems? Curious how this will play.

What to do on Wednesday

2009-03-23T15:36:00.004-04:00

What is the chance that you are in London, but just in case. I will be reading at openned this 25 March. Here is a link to a map. A lineup follows.

7:15 p.m (Find a seat)

Night Starts: 7:30 p.m

Jim Goar (10 mins)
Lucy Harvest Clarke (10 mins)
Keston Sutherland (10 mins)

Interval (15 mins)

Amy De'Ath (10 mins)
Sean Bonney (10 mins)
Alex Davies (10 mins)

interval (15 mins)

John Sparrow (10 mins)
Redell Olsen (15 mins)

I expect some serious body blows. If at least one chair is not broken over my head or yours, the night has been a bust. I hope to see you there.

WBC championship

2009-03-23T08:32:00.006-04:00

Korea plays Japan for the WBC championship. No bigger rivalry in all of sports. Dodger stadium will be rocking. Wish I could be there. Go Korea!!!! Below are some pics from Jamshil stadium in Seoul. Went to many a Doosan Bears game. Good baseball. Miss it.

One team out and one team in

2009-03-23T07:24:00.001-04:00

The lineup that never was

Roberts 2B

Victorino RF

Rollins SS

Wright 3B

Dunn DH

Braun LF

McCann C

DeRosa 1B

Granderson CF

Loved that Jeter was again our SS (big error in the 8^th). This is not his fault; he was just a symptom. The wrong players were used throughout this tournament. DeRosa is not a first baseman, but he was asked to play there. Youkilis got hurt. Lee is a bit dinged up. Ok. But, on a roster this big, shouldn’t there be another guy who could play first? In the end, it worked out with DeRosa. Guy can simply bring it. He is a ballplayer. Just pointing out how poorly this was run from top to bottom. I had questions with the way the game was run, but that is something different. My biggest concern was the cavalier way the USA went about this, again. The team was not given a chance. I feel sorry for the players. They were committed. I only wish the people that ran this team put forth the same effort.

But, there was good news on Sunday. The University of Arizona advanced to the sweet 16. I have not been as satisfied with a season since the 97 championship. I hope this does not end, but no matter what, this team holds a place in Wildcat history.

USA in the WBC

2009-03-15T07:56:00.005-04:00

Stayed up late to watch the WBC. Wouldn't have thunk it before this thing started, but now I can't get enough. I bought the MLB.com package, so can watch all the wbc games and all the regular season games. I am going to get my baseball on this year. But, this WBC is angering me. I've watched how teams use their players. The teams that are winning are the teams that are treating this like a real game. Look at Korea. Look at Japan. Look at Cuba. Get the the best players out there. To begin with, the USA does not have all of its best players. I wish the players wanted to play, but many did not (the USA is not alone in this). Still, the US has a very good team. Lots of quality. The problem is that the wrong players are playing (here is a great chart showing the best and the worst in mlb. Plus shows that you get to that many more balls than the average. Minus means you get to that many less. Plus is good, minus is bad). The most obvious example of this is Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter should not be splitting time with Jimmy Rollins. By every statistical analysis out there, it is not even close. Rollins is better at the plate and in the field. Yet, for some reason, they are splitting time. If Jeter is not content with a utility roll, then he should not be on the team. Another big problem is occurring in right field. Adam Dunn is a beast at the plate, but even worse in the field. Right now it is obvious that Chipper Jones is hurt/not playing well. Dunn should never be in the outfield, but now that Jones is hurt, they should move Dunn to DH. Simple. The problem is that team USA is being run like an All-star team and not like a baseball team. I fear the Netherlands.

Ebbe Borregaard. 1970.

2009-03-14T12:52:00.003-04:00

I took this picture from Big Bridge. They can have it back if they would like.

The other day I recieved, The Reality Street Book of Sonnets. I have not moved very far into it. I am stuck on Ebbe Borregaard. Who is this man? I am in the process of searching him out, but this book gives me 12 sonnets. here is one:

For what do I race these corridors of courtesy

from here on tell me love in poetry

Aye, and you, I am fickle too,

so rest in me now dumb fool

claspt in such inhospitable devotion—

POOOT, this is for them behind

near on to me.

Love is lost as it is to me,

she fell away like fruit blown down with wind,

POOOT that I am, headlong I carry

my fawnsey quills dug in my sides

in which contemporary diseases ride.

On either hand groves of grievous tyranny

in which to hang yr golden tapestry.

That his poetry stuck me as brilliant, I find not at all odd. As the search goes on more and more Jack Spicer appears. He knew and ran with Spicer. San Francisco is becoming more and more central to my poetry right now. So, back to the reading and the search.

past simple 6: Some innovative poetry and prose from Ireland and Britain

2009-03-13T12:59:00.009-04:00

past simple six was edited by Marcus Slease and Jim Goar.

Karen Eliot
Geraldine Monk
Peter Manson
Tim Atkins
Steve Willey
Augustus Young
Alyson Torns
Michael Zand
Alex Davies
Trevor Joyce
Ken Edwards
Fanny Howe
Amy De’Ath
Sean Bonney
Tom Raworth
Rob Holloway
Maurice Scully
David Toms
Randolph Healy
C. Walsh & B. Mills
David Lloyd
Peter Jaeger
Stacy Dacheux: On The Front Page.

RSE

2009-03-10T14:14:00.001-04:00

Ken Edwards has updated the Reality Street website. Nice clean new look. You can also check out his blog.

Spring Cold

2009-03-09T14:57:00.004-04:00

No longer in Korea so this March cold can't be blamed on the yellow dust. This is a cold. After treating myself to the 9-5 of serious writing, I am now back to poetry. What the serious writing did was get me into King Arthur. Read and read and read. Learned more in a short time than I ever have before. Now all that information is finding new ways out. Sending out the poems. Jacket is going to publish a few in May. Trying to learn as little about these as I can. Stay blind as long as blind can be. Let the horse find itself in water.

from the openned blog

2009-03-04T13:57:00.001-05:00

Sean Bonney & Frances Kruk Benefit Reading - Jow Lindsay

2009-02-11T07:24:00.001-05:00

Very excited about this. Good night down in London. Hope to see you there.

2009-01-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

Pirooz at his best

2009-01-23T06:56:00.001-05:00

I have begun my research for the next fantasy baseball draft.