Move "The Bell Jar" to the "Read" Pile

     My wife was amazed that I had not already ready Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Certainly I was aware of it, and knew that it was highly-respected, but until I had a chance to read it on my Kindle for a discount, I never read it.

     Some readers will know that my early literary training was as a German major. Earlier I read thing sin English that interested me, and years later, preparing to teach English, I read what I had to read.

     What impressed me about The Bell Jar is Plath' ability to tell a story in first-person narrative. As she does so, She juggles the chronology of events but never loses her reader. I regret that she was not able to develop more as a writer, whether of prose or of poetry, and leave behind more works

to savor. 

Next Saturday in Irmo, South Carolina

     It's Local Author Meet and Greet sponsored by the Lexington County Public Library, Irmo, SC,Branch. I have some cousins who live nearby, and maybe they will show up. There are some colleagues and friends. I know two of the other authors, fellow poet Ray McManus from the University of South Carolina, and Jane Gari, author. She and I were at the Richland Library Local Author event last week at the Columbia Museum of Art.

     Come by and have a look at everything there! A signed copy of Places and Times is available, and part of the proceeds will go to the library. Support literacy and literature at the same time!

A New Sonnet

I posted this on Words on Fire and Poet's Dream, two excellent Google+ poetry groups. Full disclosure: I am a moderator at the former. Reaction was fantastic, and I am touched at not only how many liked it, but also made some nice comments. Thanks!

The Moon at Pre=Dawn

Above the trees, a brilliant moon beckons

Me in the final hours of darkness

Before sunlight spills upon the lake’s edge.

Although surrounded by clusters of stars

In constellation dazzle and display,

To her turns my gaze, on her rest my eyes

In fleeting moments before she takes leave

and those things that I have to do commence.

For but a moment I marvel, savor

beauty contained in hovering orb,

which accompanies me through the long day.

In tedious or languid times moonlight

Enlivens my mind and quickens my soul.

Only I behold the beauty from there.

Arthur Turfa, © 2016

More Things to Read!

     Poets & WritersMarch/April issue arrived. While I enjoy the e-mails they send out, there is something to actually having a portable copy with much mor ein it. It is a great publication.

     At long last, my copy of  my friend and mentor's new book made its appearance. Joanna Kurowska's Intricacies (Finishing Line Press)  is something I read the manuscript of and reviewed. But I also wanted a real copy. Born in Poland, she wrote in her native language and has mastered English, much like Joseph Conrad.

a Kurowska's

     \What are you reading, or planning to read? 

My Reading is Piling Up!

   Whether on K

indle, my shelf, or in my bag, the reading is piling up! Maybe it's because I decided to do some writing!

     The latest copy of The Atlantic came last week. Of course, I expected it., and have read some of the shorter pieces. The EasyBub offerings the other day including Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar for a low price, so I bought it with one click. I'm about 14% through with it.

     And now to people I actually know! Kenyatta Jean Paul Garcia offered his "What Do the Evergreens Know Of Pining" as a free Valentine's Day gift to anyone. One click made it mine. I know him from Altpoetics, where he published me a few times. Finally, Ed Madden, Columbia SC's Poet Laureate, had some advance copies of his soon-to-appear book, Ark, and I bought one that he signed for my last Saturday at the Deckle Edge SC Literary Festival.

    It would be great if someone out there wrote about Places and Times in this way. some have already, and I appreciate that a lot.

     More about these great things when I read them!

Richland Library Local Author Showcase Over!

   And so the Deckle Edge, South Carolina's revamped Literary Festival! Today went well, with quite a few people saying they will check out Places and Times on the web. I made some new friends, and saw some old friends. The Library really did a superb job of arranging everything, and I cannot thank them enough.
 
    Yesterday I met Marjory Wentworth, the state's Poet Laureate. Later she posted that she was eager to read the book I presented to her. I also swapped books with someone today, but more about that later on.

    Next event in two weeks!

Very briefly on Deckle Edge Saturday

    It is always great to see friends and fellow poets like Al Black and Len Lawson. Their Poets Respond to Race event is timely and profound.  also saw Columbia Poet Laureate Ed Madden, whose workshop I took this summer past. From him I was able to purchase a signed copy of his soon-to-be-released book, Ark. Hopefully I can read it in a few days.

    And hopefully it will not take South Carolina Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth that long to read the signed copy of Places and Times which she graciously accepted. Later, she commented on Facebook that she was eager to do so.

    The third and final Poet Laureate I met today was Edgefield's Laurel Blossom. Her county is next to mine, and maybe I can go over there sometime to visit her community.

    T

omorrow to Local Author Showcase!