Signed Five copies of "Places and Times"

     Tonight I signed five copies for the winners of the Goodreads giveaway, and included a card/bookmark. Later this week I will take them to a mailing place I know and off they go!
In a few minutes I will work on a sonnet; I had one to submit someplace, and it's time to listen to the muse.

     For those how think that a poet needs to wait for the muse, and answer when she calls, I wold say that they have been watching too many movies, only I do not know of many movies about poets, except this one, which does not really fit:  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084591/

   Decades ago I saw it on Cinemax and really should look for it on Netflix.

    I agree with Wordsworth that "Poetry is emotion reflected in tranquility.." Since he was the only English Romantic to die at an old age, I figure he knew something. The German Romantics generally lived long lives also; I have studied them more.

Goodreads Giveaway Ended!

     496 people participated, which I think is outstanding! This week I will mail five signed copies of Places and Times to them. Will I repeat this in six months or so? I am inclined to think so.

Now on to Newberry, SC, next Saturday for a signing at Books on Main!

Coming up to All Saints Day

     This year All Saints Day and All Saints Sunday converge. My thought on this time of the Church Year began to be formed during sermon preparation, and have also been impacted by some deaths of people I know locally.

     Carrie Newcomer handles the topic as deftly and more lyrically than anyone whom I know. I post her song "All Saints Day", and also post

the lyrics even though they are on the video. Whatever your religion/spirituality/Welanschauung, there are times when you wonder about things. I know that I do, and at this time of year I have a sense of being closer to the veil.

   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQefafxbS9E   - video

http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Carrie_Newcomer:All_Saints'_Day   - lyrics

More on Dylan Thomas

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/12/the-last-rock-star-poet/382239/

    Over my professional careers I have read, subscribed to, paged through countless magazines with varying degrees of regularity and interest. However, the Atlantic has been my most constant subscription, except for my deployment to Germany in 2004-2005. The Transcendentalists who founded it have served us well.

     The above article deals with Thomas' influence and his rock-star status as a poet. I will re-read when I get a chance, but that might be in a bit.

     Hopefully you can get to read before me!

Two Days left in Goodreads Giveaway of "Places and Times"

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25304005-places-and-times

Maybe you will be one of five winners from the USA, UK, Canada or Australia!  If you do not live there, contact me if you would like a signed copy. Feel free to ask me a question or start a discussion on the page!

Happy 101st, Dylan Thomas

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/wales-dylan-thomas/10782449/michael-sheen-dylan-thomas.html?WT.mc_id=605768&source=USTrafficDriver

     I posted this elsewhere, but repost it here tonight. Back in that pivotal 12th grade English class, I remember reading "Fern Hill" and being captivated by it. A poem without rhyme, but stirring imagery. I began to wonder if I would write in the manner.

     Last week I saw a fox wandering by our woods. So I imagine that I am 'honoured among the foxes...by the gay house

" at long last!

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/fern-hill

Still Four Days on the Goodreads Giveaway!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25304005-places-and-times

     Remember, this is for residents of the USA, UK, Canada and Australia! If you live elsewhere, I can direct you to a vendor or if you would like a signed copy, we can discuss some options.

     Ask me a question about anything on

Goodreads!

     Right now I am writing/revising/thinking about a cycle about part of my life. Reading Rilke's Duino Elegies as given me some ideas, but this will not be an elegy!