upright against the savage heavens

new mendicant trailer...

2012-01-06T10:27:00.000-05:00

mendicant bookworks...

2011-10-29T14:06:00.003-04:00

go get the new Hosho McCreesh, plus others...they're only $0.99, facrissakes...

go buy these...

2011-07-23T10:01:00.003-04:00

a new small press which publishes eBooks (right now) called Mendicant Press has put out its first run of short stories by Alan Catlin, Doug Draime, JA Tyler, Joseph Ridgewell and me, your hero (you got Google right? I don't feel like linking). in the future rumor has it Mark SaFranko will be next in line for a title.

you can check them out H E R E. each is only $0.99, and you got that much right? eat one less dollar meal item and feed your head instead.

go buy this...

2011-06-30T07:42:00.002-04:00

the new 2Shot eBook from Hosho McCreesh: H E R E. it's only $0.99, and you've got that much loose change in the cushions of your internet, don't ya?

I've got it, and these stories are damn fine. subtle, atmospheric human existentialism, real life playing out on the ePages...get it.

check it out...

2011-05-23T13:13:00.002-04:00

if you like, you can go check out my first attempt at eBook publishing. it's priced right, free, and you can download it in any number of formats. it's two short stories, both of which have appeared before elsewhere, with a cover by Cyn. it's basically an experiment to see if my sorry ass old brains still work and I can am be learnding new thingses.

in the future, I think I'll probably put up some unpublished stuff for $0.99 or so, and maybe some longer stuff for a bit more. I'm thinking about putting up some of my out of print poetry books as well, but we'll see. farming is a shitload of work, and there isn't much time in the spring and summer for anything but survival.

you can find it H E R E.

go hear this...

2011-05-01T00:18:00.007-04:00

me reading an excerpt from Sunlight at Midnight backed by the guys in Noot d'Noot: H E R E (it's Episode 59). also, Scott McClanahan can be heard on the same podcast. that guy can write; you should check him out.

go read this...

2011-04-08T11:41:00.002-04:00

go and download the free 2Shot eBook from Hosho McCreesh: H E R E

go read this...

2011-03-23T19:55:00.003-04:00

my short story The Passage at Night Train: H E R E.

ebooks and charity...

2011-03-12T09:21:00.004-05:00

this is pretty cool: Jason, mine and Hosh's editor over at Orange Alert Press, has released our book of letters, as well as the other OA Press releases by Ben Tanzer and Jamie Iredell, as an eBook. it is priced at $5.35, but here is what's really cool: 25% of the proceeds go to benefit Open Books. check it out, they do good work. the other releases also donate to different charities so this is a good opportunity to discover new writers (if you've not read Ben or Jamie) as well as give to a good cause without actually having to do any work.

and isn't that what the internets are all about? but seriously, check out the books if you've not read em yet.

thanks. you can buy it H E R E.

(also, you can still get one of the last copies of the paperback (hardbacks are long gone) version of Sunlight at the above OA Press link for around $8, I think, if you're so inclined...)

good shit...

2011-02-05T06:26:00.004-05:00

read this over at buk.net (thanks, mjp):

Captain Beefheart's Ten Commandments For Guitarists

1. LISTEN TO THE BIRDS That's where all the music comes from. Birds know everything about how it should sound and where that sound should come from. And watch hummingbirds. They fly really fast, but a lot of times they aren't going anywhere.

2. YOUR GUITAR IS NOT REALLY A GUITAR Your guitar is a divining rod. Use it to find spirits in the other world and bring them over. A guitar is also a fishing rod. If you're good, you'll land a big one.

3. PRACTICE IN FRONT OF A BUSH Wait until the moon is out, then go outside, eat a multi-grained bread and play your guitar to a bush. If the bush doesn't shake, eat another piece of bread.

4. WALK WITH THE DEVIL Old delta blues players referred to amplifiers as the "devil box." And they were right. You have to be an equal opportunity employer in terms of who you're bringing over from the other side. Electricity attracts demons and devils. Other instruments attract other spirits. An acoustic guitar attracts Casper. A mandolin attracts Wendy. But an electric guitar attracts Beelzebub.

5. IF YOU'RE GUILTY OF THINKING, YOU'RE OUT If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing.

6. NEVER POINT YOUR GUITAR AT ANYONE Your instrument has more power than lightning. Just hit a big chord, then run outside to hear it. But make sure you are not standing in an open field.

7. ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CHURCH KEY You must carry your key and use it when called upon. That's your part of the bargain. Like One String Sam. He was a Detroit street musician in the fifties who played a homemade instrument. His song "I Need A Hundred Dollars" is warm pie. Another church key holder is Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's guitar player. He just stands there like the Statue of Liberty making you want to look up her dress to see how he's doing it.

8. DON'T WIPE THE SWEAT OFF YOUR INSTRUMENT You need that stink on there. Then you have to get that stink onto your music.

9. KEEP YOUR GUITAR IN A DARK PLACE When you're not playing your guitar, cover it and keep it in a dark place. If you don't play your guitar for more than a day, be sure to put a saucer of water in with it.

10. YOU GOTTA HAVE A HOOD FOR YOUR ENGINE Wear a hat when you play and keep that hat on. A hat is a pressure cooker. If you have a roof on your house the hot air can't escape. Even a lima bean has to have a wet paper towel around it to make it grow.

most of it applies to writing also. made me go get my Telecaster out of the closet and give her a strum. slick as ever...and I gave her a drink of water too...

new website...

2011-02-03T01:09:00.002-05:00

head over and check out the new home of Hosho McCreesh.

go buy this...

2011-01-28T16:13:00.003-05:00

if you've not read anything by Brian McGettrick, then your life has been missing something, but you didn't even know it...that is, until now. and now that you know, you can remedy your sad state of affairs easily. how? well, go buy T H I S. that will do the trick.

you will not be disappointed, unless good fucking poetry disappoints you.

also available from the good people at Propaganda Press is poetic mainstay Doug Draime's new chapbook, a tough, semi-nostalgic look back thru the rock and roll heyday at one man's life called Rock & Roll Jizz and you can check it out H E R E.

go. buy. support the small presses of the world...

one more thing, and one more...

2011-01-13T23:34:00.005-05:00

thanks to Rusty Barnes, editor of Night Train, for taking one of my short stories, The Passage, which will appear sometime in the future...I'll post a link when it exists. plus: lightning fucking fast response time. jesus.

also: if you've not seen this broadside of mine for whatever reason, this one is the PURE SHIT, and you should buy it, just for the printmaking and artwork. Sean Lynch is a master. go H E R E and check it out. it's a beaut, but it's not the only one: H E R E are the other broadsides in the series, including work by Tony O'Neill, Hosho McCreesh and more.

2011, eh?

2011-01-12T06:06:00.000-05:00

great. good luck to us.

I took 2010 off from submitting, but I'm at it again. slowly at first, I think. we'll see how much I like it. the email/submishmash type thing is pretty good, better than all those years buying stamps and envelopes and making copies and etc., but also worse in that you lose the "effort" it takes, the dedication to the boring shit which goes along with writing/publishing. but after a while, publishing becomes a chore, so it's nice to be able to click it away into the ether. I'm sure oftentimes that ease creates a situation where folks send their stuff out so fast they've not even read it twice, but whatever; that's an editor's problem, I suppose.

there will be a new book soon, poems and artwork from the hardback edition of Sunlight by McCreesh and I, and at the first of 2012 a large collection of my poems spanning the last ten years along with a bunch of new work is scheduled to be released. more on both of these as they progress.

otherwise, we're digging out from a foot of snow and trying to keep our dogs from attacking and then eating us, purely out of boredom. the winter is quiet, and the snow is a fine crystal powder settled over dead grasses and the few remaining garden stalks are now hidden, waiting on the tractor in a few short months. the slate sky hangs motionless, clouds frozen in place, and the creek is nearly silenced with ice. it's a good time for art.

here's a recent one:

keeping our heads down

smoke
and dust
trail
thru the
flicker of
sunset
shadows

casting
stained glass patterns
upon the air.

someone coughs
in
another room.

a radio,
an honest-to-god
radio,
carries news
of
tragedy and crime,
of
seizures
and nationalistic triumph.

here,
where
we’re at:

just
smoke

dust

and a
bit

of light.

new things...

2010-12-06T10:40:00.002-05:00

my good friend, a fine poet and super-fucking-awesome human being, Luis C. Berriozabal has a new chapbook out from the good folks at Kendra Steiner Editions. you can read about it/purchase it H E R E.

there is a depth to Luis' work that is belied by the surface simplicity of many of his images and metaphors. he really knows how to capture an emotional moment in a unique way. check him out if you've not.

also, I have a new broadside available from Bottle of Smoke Press. it is a beaut, as is all of Big Bad Bill Roberts' offerings, featuring a blind stamped cardstock "cover" and letterpressed poem pasted inside, contained within a hand-made custom sleeve made out of old stock certificates, safely nestled in a clear plastic protector. the poem is "war," and you can get it for $3 plus a buck postage (slightly higher overseas). you can preview this fine little package H E R E and then go order it H E R E.

happy birthday...

2010-12-03T10:51:00.000-05:00

to my dad.

miss you guy.

a lot.

new poetry mag...

2010-11-14T01:58:00.002-05:00

got an email asking for subs for a new ezine put out by Robin Merrill, a fine poet I've known since poems were mailed, on paper, with stamps to actual printed mags. check it out HERE.

it's been a slow year, art-wise as we work hard in the fields to build something new for ourselves here at the Veggie Ranch. but I have been busy working on the novel and writing brand spanking new poems for a forthcoming big ass book of poems. more info as things progress.

I'm sure the six of you who happen upon this desolate wasteland of a blog are excited by the news.

read this...

2010-09-16T14:00:00.005-04:00

you can check out some writing from a few small pressers such as myself, justin.barrett, hosh mccreesh, stephen hines, nate graziano, bill taylor, jr. and many more H E R E. thanks to jen for putting together such a grand opus.

also, you can check out some pix from the Veggie Ranch H E R E. it was a good season, we learned a lot and will be able to really make it sing next season...fall will bring some greens and such, but we're mostly gonna use the time to diversify and get right with our future plans for Stella B's World Empire and Trucking Company plus Veggie Ranch and Intelligence Services, Ltd.

check it out...

2010-08-18T14:53:00.002-04:00

hosho mccreesh was on lynn alexander's Full Of Crow radio with Harry Calhoun and others: HERE. he also has an e-chap at Right Hand Pointing: HERE. check em out...

fifteen years...

2010-08-09T13:23:00.005-04:00

august 9. 1995 I was in a hotel room in Colorado for work, looking out at the rockies and getting ready to find a bar when I heard a plastic news head on the television speaking of good ol jerry in the past tense. my buddy said, dude, you need to come out here and listen to this. then the hotel phone rang and every dead head I knew was seized by the loss and shaken to their dancing bones.

it's strange when someone who is important to you but you don't really know dies. it's like a distant relative you met once but who left a lasting and inescapable impression upon you is now gone from the world. fortunately, we have a legacy of incomparable music to carry us forward, even now, fifteen years later.

"seems like all this life is just a dream..."

we still miss ya, jerry.

new photos...

2010-07-24T16:44:00.008-04:00

over at The Veggie Ranch...

check em out.

mexican bean beetles, cucumber beetles, stink bugs, hornworms, flea beetles, white grubs, colorado potato beetle...wish they were as easy to destroy as one's belief in the worth of art, as people slowly turn into dumb jelly everywhere.

I guess, like the garden, if you plant enough, plus extra, some of it will still produce a measure of sustenance, despite the onslaught of horrible creatures bent on voraciously feeding, fucking and dying all while being barely sentient.

though inevitably you have to pick some off and smash them in the hard, hot dirt.

here are some art seeds I made yesterday:

asheville city hall

addiction machine from the Dripolator.

world cup poetry #12..

2010-07-12T12:10:00.004-04:00

July 11, 2010

Spain vs Netherlands. This was a rough game, with multiple yellow cards for each team, and a red card for Netherlands. In the 116th minute in this game that went into extra time, Iniesta from Spain scored the winning goal. It was Spain's first World Cup title and the third time that Netherlands fell in the finals. Netherlands had their opportunities to score, but could not put the ball in the net.

Spain 1 Netherlands 0

Antonio Machado, Spanish poet, translated here:

HERE

HERE

HERE

Dutch literature link and Dutch poet, Hans Lodeizen below:

HERE

HERE

HERE

July 10, 2010

Germany vs. Uruguay. Germany won the game for the bronze in the 2010 World Cup. With a 3-2 victory, Germany finished in third place with a young team. Uruguay finished fourth and played an outstanding game today despite the loss. Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan player who was red-carded for using his hands to stop a goal against Ghana was booed whenever he touched the ball. 20 year old Thomas Mueller scored a goal, giving him 5 goals in this World Cup. His future appears bright. 32 year old Miroslav Klose did not get into the game and has 14 goals in his World Cup career leaving him one goal shy of the World Cup record of 15, held by Brazilian soccer star, Ronaldo. Diego Forlan scored 5 goals for Uruguay in this World Cup and was arguably one of top players in this competition. Forlan hit the goal post with the last shot of the game from outside the area on a free kick. A few inches lower and the game would have gone into extra time.

Nonsense poetry by German poet, Christian Morgenstern, here:

HERE

A link to Uruguayan poetry here:

HERE

World Cup Extra and Paul the Octopus, who picked Germany to win today.

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal

world cup poetry #11...

2010-07-09T14:07:00.002-04:00

July 6, 2010

Netherlands 3-Uruguay 2. Netherlands defeated Uruguay to make their way to World Cup final on Sunday. Netherlands is looking for their first World Cup title.

Dutch poet, Jan-Willem Anker, interviewed here:

HERE

An homage to Uruguayan poet from Chilean poet, Nicanor Parra, here:

HERE

World Cup extra, World Cup Haiku below:

HERE

July 7, 2010

Spain 1-Germany 0. Spain defeated Germany 1 nil and will face the Netherlands for the World Cup final. Spain and the Netherlands, two Europeans countries with strong soccer traditions, have never won the World Cup. The good thing about how this World Cup shaped up is that a country that has never won the World Cup will be hoisting the trophy this Sunday.

An anthology of Spanish poetry, below:

HERE

Spanish poet, Francisco de Quevedo, translated below:

HERE

German lyric poet, Friedich Hölderlin, translated below, also Rainer Maria Rilke, German language poet, translated here as well:

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #10...

2010-07-07T10:03:00.002-04:00

July 3, 2010

Spain vs Paraguay. Paraguay missed a penalty kick that would have given them a lead in the second half. Moments later Spain was awarded a penalty. Their penalty was disallowed after Spanish attackers ran into the area before the kick was made. Spain had to shoot the penalty again and this time the Paraguayan goaltender made an excellent save. Spain scored a goal to win the game 1-0 and end the dreams of Paraguay.

Spanish poet, novelist, and playwright, Miguel de Cervantes, here:

HERE

HERE

Juan Emiliano O’Leary, Paraguayan born poet, here:

HERE

Elvio Romero, Paraguayan poet, here:

HERE

July 3, 2010

Argentina vs. Germany. Diego Maradonna’s magic fizzled out against Germany, who routed the Argentine team 4-0. The broadcaster’s in the both joked that Rolling Stone singer, Mick Jaegger, brought bad luck to Argentina. In previous World Cup matches Mick Jaegger was seen cheering on England, the United States, and Brazil before being eliminated. Klosse, forward from Germany has scored 14 goals in his career in World Cup matches, putting him 2 goals ahead of Pele, and is now one goal away from catching Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals in World Cup competition.

Surrealist Argentine poet, Oliveiro Girondo, here,

HERE

HERE

Max Ernst, German graphic artist, painter, poet, sculptor, and pioneer of Dada movement and surrealism, here,

HERE

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #9...

2010-07-04T13:38:00.002-04:00

June 27, 2010

Germany 4-England 1. Germany eliminated England in the quarterfinals. The referee and his assistant missed a clear goal that would have tied the score at 2-2.

Translations from German poet, Norbet Hummelt, here:

HERE

An interview with English poet, Miles J. Bell, here:

HERE

June 27, 2010

Argentina 3-Mexico 1. Argentina outplayed Mexico and advanced to the next round of World Cup play. Mexico’s mistakes on the field cost them throughout the game.

Argentine poet, Alejandra Pizarnik, here:

HERE

Mexican poet, David Huerta, here:

HERE

HERE

June 28, 2010

Netherlands 2-Slovakia 1. Netherlands eliminated Slovakia from World Cup competition.

Dutch poet, Ramsey Nasr, here:

HERE

HERE

Slovakian poet, Mária Ridzoňová Ferenĉuhová, introduced here:

HERE

June 28, 2010

Brazil 3-Chile 0. Brazil eliminated Chile from World Cup play.

Brazilian poet, Astrid Cabral, here:

HERE

Chilean poet, Raul Zurita, here:

HERE

June 29, 2010

Japan 0-Pagaruay 0. Paraguay defeated Japan in penalty kicks 5-3 and eliminated Japan from World Cup play.

Japanese poet, Ann Inoshita, here:

HERE

Paraguayan poet, Hérib Campos Cervera, here:

HERE

June 29, 2010

Spain 1-Portugual 0. Spain defeated Portugal and eliminated from the World Cup.

António Gamoneda, Spanish poet, below:

HERE

João César Monteiro, film director, writer, actor, and film critic, poet-provocateur here:

HERE

HERE

July 2, 2010

Netherlands 2-Brazil 1. Netherlands defeated Brazil 2-1 in a hard fought game that eliminated the number 1 ranked team out of the World Cup play.

Links to Contemporary Poetry in the Netherlands, here:

HERE

Brazilian poet, Cecília Meireles, here:

HERE

July 2, 2010

Uruguay 1-Ghana 1. Uruguay defeated Ghana in penalty kicks 4-2. Ghana missed a penalty kick in overtime play that could have eliminated Uruguay, but unfortunately the shot hit the crossbar.

Text about Edgardo Antonio Vigo by Uruguayan poet, Clemente Padin, here:

HERE

Poems from Ghana: The Red Room, here:

HERE

thanks for reading,
Luis C. Berriozabal

on the ranch...

2010-07-02T23:26:00.001-04:00

check out some new pix of the Veggie Ranch...

read this...

2010-07-02T07:16:00.002-04:00

the new Pig In A Poke is live and you can check it out HERE. jb, mccreesh and myself are the featured poets, and there are some other good names on the list ta boot. check it out.

world cup poetry #8...

2010-06-29T12:45:00.003-04:00

June 25, 2010

Brazil vs. Portugal. Brazil and Portugal played to a scoreless tie. The tie gave passage to each team into the second round stage of the World Cup.

Two poems by Brazilian poet, Augusto Dos Anjos (Augusto de Carvahlo Rodrigues dos Anjos) here:

HERE

An article on Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, and his correspondence with British mystic, writer, and practicioner of black magic, Aleister Crowley, here:

HERE

June 25, 2010

Ivory Coast vs. North Korea. Ivory Coast defeated North Korea 3 nil. The win was not enough for Ivory Coast to advance to the second round with Brazil and Portugal advancing to the next round from this group. North Korea allowed 12 goals and scored just one goal. It was disappointing showing for North Korea, who gave Brazil a good game in losing only 2-1.

Poem by Ivory Coast poet, Edith Veremu, below:

HERE

Ivory Coast: One-year prison sentence for activist:

HERE

Poetry by North Korean teenage defectors, here:

HERE

June 25, 2010

Chile vs. Spain. Chile fell to Spain 2-1 in this match. With the victory, Spain claimed first place in the group and Chile earned second place. Each country advanced to the second round of World Cup play.

Gabriela Mistral, Chilean poet, and first Latin America woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, here:

HERE

Links to Juan Ramon Jimenez, Spanish poet, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, here:

HERE

HERE

June 25, 2010

Honduras vs. Switzerland. Honduras and Switzerland tied 0-0. With this result, Switzerland and Honduras was eliminated from the World Cup. Honduras was only able to earn 1 point in World Cup play, while Switzerland earned 4 points.

Links to Clementina Suarez, poet from Honduras, here:

HERE

HERE

Poem by Renata Treitel, teacher, poet, and translator, born in Switzerland, here:

HERE

June 26, 2010

Uruguay vs. South Korea. In the first game of the second round of World Cup play, Uruguay defeated South Korea 2-1. Luis Suarez scored both goals, including a spectacular goal in the rain that provided Uruguay with the win.

A poem by Eduardo Espina, poet from Uruguay, here:

HERE

A collection of Sinjo poems by Korean poet, Hwang Jini, translated here:

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #7...

2010-06-26T22:54:00.002-04:00

June 23, 2010

England vs. Slovenia. England’s 1 nil victory over Slovenia guaranteed England’s passage to the second round. Slovenia was eliminated because the United States defeated Algeria 1 nil in stoppage time. England will now have to face powerhouse Germany this coming weekend.

A link from England, contending that Poetry had more capacity to change people than psychotherapy.

HERE

Another link related to Psychoanalysis and Freud’s interest in British poet, Byron, Lord George Gordon.

HERE

Slovene Romantic poet, France Prešeren, considered the Slovene national poet, below:

HERE

June 23, 2010

United States vs. Algeria. In a frantic finish, the American squad was able to score in stoppage time, defeating Algeria 1-0, and staved off elimination. With the victory the United States won the group and will now face Ghana in their next game.

Three poems by Leonard Cirino, American poet, below:

HERE

Algerian novelist, playwright, and linguist, Mouloud Mammeri, below,

HERE

HERE

June 23, 2010

Australia vs. Serbia. Australia eliminated Serbia from World Cup play with a 2-1 victory. The Australians fell 3 goals short of securing their ticket to the next round. However, they rebounded beautifully after being drubbed 4-0 to Germany in their first World Cup game.

A link to Australian Bush Poetry, Verse, and Music here:

HERE

News on Jacket Magazine, regarded as the “Prince of Online Poetry Magazines.”

HERE

Serbian poet, Branko Mijkovic, here:

HERE

June 23, 2010

Germany vs. Ghana. Germany defeated Ghana 1-0. With this outcome, both Germany and Ghana advanced to the next round of the World Cup. Germany will battle England and Ghana will face the United States. Ghana is the only African team out of 6 African teams to advance to the next round.

Two poems by Kojo Ginaye Kyei, poet from Ghana below:

HERE

An article about German writer, H. M. Enzensberger, below:

HERE

June 24, 2010

Italy vs. Slovakia. The defending World Cup champions were sent packing by Slovakia, who beat Italy 3-2. A tie could have pushed Italy into the next round. In its first World Cup as an independent nation, Slovakia made it to the second round.

Italian poet, Milo de Angelis, translated here:

HERE

Slovakian poetry link here:

HERE

Slovakian poet, Dezider Banga, translated here:

HERE

June 24, 2010

Paraguay vs. New Zealand. Paraguay and New Zealand played to a scoreless tie. Paraguay advanced to the next round and finished atop the group. New Zealand was eliminated even though they did not lose a game. With three draws, they finished with three points and should hold their heads high.

A poem by Raquel Chavez, Paraguayan poet, from First Light: An Anthology of Paraguayan Women Writers here:

HERE

A link to 6 Contemporary poets from New Zealand here:

HERE

June 24, 2010

Cameroon vs. Netherlands. Netherlands had already advanced to the second round of play in the World Cup. Cameroon had already been eliminated from advancing to the next round. However, Cameroon still had the opportunity to deal the Netherlands a loss and costing them first place in the group. However, Netherlands came out with a 2-1 victory winning all three games they have played so far. Netherlands is one of the favorites to win it all.

A review of Dibussi Tande, Cameroonian poet,

HERE

Dutch poetry link, including a Dutch poem translated into English

HERE

June 24, 2010

Denmark vs. Japan. Japan booted Denmark out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win. Japan was on the attack throughout the game and have advanced to the second round.

Denmark poet, Niels Hav, interviewed here:

HERE

Japanese poetry link here:

HERE

reason to keep going #2...

2010-06-23T13:04:00.004-04:00

miles and stella in the pasture.

dogs are far superior to ~~99.8%~~ 99.99% of all people (see what I did there with the strike-thru? man, I'm clever).

but srsly, fuck you, humans.

world cup poetry #6...

2010-06-23T12:23:00.002-04:00

I missed a link for Japan vs Netherlands on June 19, 2010.

Here is a link to Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho:

HERE

June 21, 2010

Portugal vs North Korea. In the most lopsided game in the World Cup, Portugal demolished North Korea 7 nil. 6 of the goals were scored in the second half. The defeat left North Korea out of the World Cup in what was considered the “the group of Death.”

Eugenio de Andrade, Portugal’s best known living poet, below:

HERE

Korean poet, Ko Un, below:

HERE

HERE

June 21, 2010

Chile vs. Switzerland. Chile defeated Switzerland 1-0, giving 6 points and first place in their group. A tie against group favorite Spain would put Chile into the next round. A loss to Spain a win by Switzerland would eliminate Chile from advancing in the World Cup.

Chilean poet, Nicanor Parra, introduced here:

HERE

Swiss poet, Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, here:

HERE

HERE

June 21, 2010

Spain vs. Honduras. Spain defeated Honduras 2 nil. Spain rebounded from a disappointing first game in which they lost to Switzerland 1-0. A decisive victory in their next game against Chile could put Spain into the next round. However, it will not be easy.

Spanish poet, Miguel Hernandez, here:

HERE

HERE

HERE

Robert Sosa, poet from Honduras, interviewed here:

HERE

June 22, 2010

South Africa vs France. The South African team became the first host country in 80 years not to advance to the second round. However, they defeated France 2-1, which was a positive accomplishment for the South African team and the African continent. The French were eliminated and let down their homeland with poor comportment.

HERE

Zolani Mkiva, South African poet, introduced below:

HERE

Genna Gardini, South African poet, introduced below:

HERE

French poetry introduced below:

HERE

June 22, 2010

Mexico vs. Uruguay. Uruguay defeated Mexico 1-0, claiming first place in their group. Mexico finished in second place in their group and advanced to the second round. Mexico will face Argentina in their next game. Uruguay will face South Korea.

Mexican poetry links here:

HERE

HERE

Uruguayan poet and graphic artist, Clemente Padin, introduced below:

HERE

Laura Charlar, poet from Uruguay translates Uruguayan poet, Liber Falco, below:

HERE

June 22, 2010

Argentina vs Greece. Argentina eliminated Greece from the World Cup with a 2 nil victory. Argentina’s pressure was to much for the Greek team to overcome. Argentina will be favored to defeat Mexico in their pending elimination match.

Poem attributed to Argentine poet, Jorge Luis Borges:

HERE

Argentine poetry link:

HERE

George Seferis, Greek poet, below:

HERE

Titos Patriokos, Greek poet, below:

HERE

June 22, 2010

Nigeria vs South Korea. South Korea advanced to the next round and eliminated Nigeria from the World Cup with their 2-2 draw.

Ji Won, South Korean poet, below

HERE

Nigerian poetry link below:

HERE

Link to Nigerian poet and novelist, Chinua Achebe, here,

HERE

more World Cup Poetry soon.

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #5...

2010-06-21T12:35:00.003-04:00

June 18, 2010

Serbia 1-Germany 0. Playing a man down after Klose, one of Germany’s top forwards was red-carded, Serbia took advantage. The Germans had a chance to equalize with a penalty. However, the Serbian goalkeeper made a stop to give Serbia three hard earned points.

Poetry by Serbian poet, Vasko Popa, below:

HERE

Poetry by several German poets, including Marie Luise Kaschnitz, below:

HERE

June 18, 2010

United States 2-Slovenia 2. The United States came back from a 2 nil deficit to tie Slovenia. A controversial call by the referee took the winning goal away from the United States. However, the United States are still alive to make it into the next round. A win over Algeria could help them get through for sure.

Links to Richard Brautigan, American poet, novelist, here.

HERE

A link to Slovene poetry below:

HERE

June 18, 2010

Algeria 0-England 0. Algeria pulled off one of the biggest surprises in the World Cup with this tie. England played another disappointing game. Without losing or winning, England could clinch a ticket to the next round with a win over Slovenia, which only needs to tie to advance to the next round.

Link to Algerian poet, novelist, and playwright, Kateb Yacine here:

HERE

HERE

Dylan Thomas, British poet, below:

HERE

June 19, 2010

Denmark 2-Cameroon 1. Cameroon was ousted from participating in the next round with a come from behind victory for Denmark. The victory allowed Netherlands to go on to the second round. Denmark and Japan will vie for second place in this group.

Two poems from Hans Christian Andersen, who was well known for his children’s stories.

HERE

HERE

Links to poet, Bill F. Ndi, from Cameroon:

HERE

HERE

HERE

June 19, 2010

Netherlands 1-Japan 0. In what could be described as a thriller, Netherlands escaped by the slimmest of margins. Japan is in control of their destiny, a win over Denmark in their next game and they will get into the next round.

An introduction to Contemporary poetry in the Netherlands below:

HERE

June 19, 2010

Australia 1-Ghana 1. After a dismal first game against Germany, Australia fought for a hard-earned tie against a tough Ghana squad.

A link to modern Australian poetry below:

HERE

Martin Elorm Dogbo, poet from Ghana, introduced here:

HERE

June 20, 2010

Paraguay 2-Slovakia 0

Poetry by Emdad Rahman, about Paraguay’s last game against Italy.

HERE

I wrote a poem about that game as well:

WORLD CUP: 06:14:2010

The rain falling down

in Cape Town.

The Italian blue and

Paraguayan red

march up and down

the green field.

The loud horns

pierce through

the television.

It sounds like a

swarm of hornets.

The night sky of

South Africa

brims with life.

It is just another

World Cup game.

LCB

Link to Susy Delgado, Paraguayan poet,

HERE

Link to Slovakian poetry below.

HERE

June 20, 2010

Italy 1-New Zealand 1. The defending champions continue to struggle in this World Cup against teams they are favored to defeat. With this tie, Italy and New Zealand remain alive in their quest to advance to the next round. However, each are in danger of being eliminated with losses in their last game of this group.

Link for Giacomo Leopardi, Italian poet, below:

HERE

A link from The Scottish Poetry Library introducing New Zealand poets here:

HERE

June 20, 2010

Brazil 3-Ivory Coast 1. Brazil advanced to the next round with a decisive victory over Ivory Coast. The action became tense in the final minutes with Kaka being sent off with a red card in this game. The Ivory Coast was eliminated from competition. Didier Drogba playing with a broken arm became the first African soccer player to score against Brazil in this game.

A link to Brazilian poetry in translation, here.

HERE

I found this interesting link in searching for poetry from the Ivory Coast

HERE

Link to Tanella Boni, poet from the Ivory Coast.

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #4...

2010-06-18T01:18:00.003-04:00

June 15, 2010

Brazil defeated North Korea 2-1. Brazil prevailed in this one, but it was not an easy match for the North Koreans, who did not give up.

Lêdo Ivo, poet from Brazil, below:

HERE

Jang Jin Sung, poet born in North Korea, below. Sung defected from North Korea. An interview with Sung below:

HERE

June 15, 2010

New Zealand vs Slovakia 1-1. New Zealand tied Slovekia in injury time, costing the Slovakian team 3 points.

An article on Slovakia in New European Poets below.

HERE

James K. Baxter, known as New Zealand’s greatest poet below:

HERE

June 15, 2010

Portugal vs Ivory Coast @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This was a scoreless match between Portugal and Ivory Coast.

Fernando Pessoa, Portuguese poet, introduced below.

HERE

Dry Your Tears, inspired by novelist/poet/playwrite from The Ivory Coast, Bernard Dadie, here:

HERE

HERE

June 16, 2010

South Africa vs Uruguay @ Loftus Versfed Stadium

Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali, South African poet, who wrote in English and Zulu is introduced below by Barini Saana Ngaage:

HERE

HERE

Mario Benedetti, who died last year, was one of Uruguay’s and Latin America’s best known poets. He is introduced below

HERE

HERE

June 16, 2010

Honduras vs Chile. Chile defeated Honduras 1-0, tying Switzerland for the lead in Group H.

Poetry from Honduras introduced below:

HERE

Pablo Neruda, Chilean poet introduced below:

HERE

Switzerland pulled off the biggest surprise in the first round with its 1 to nil victory over Spain.

The Swiss cascade and castle that inspired poem here:

HERE

Autobiography from Carl Spitteler, Swiss poet, Nobel Prize winner, here:

HERE

Links to Federico Garcia Lorca, Spanish poet, who was born June 5, 1898.

HERE

June 17, 2010

France vs Mexico @ Peter Mokaba Stadium. In 6 prior World Cup matches, France won five times and tied once against Mexico. Mexico was due this time around and upset the French 2-0. Javier Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored for Mexico. Hernandez’s father and grandfather had been members of Mexican World Cup teams in the pants. Hernandez’s grandfather Tomas Balcazar, scored against France in 1954. Cuauhtemoc Blanco became the first Mexican soccer player to score in three separate World Cup appearances.

Two French poets, Joseph Julien Guglielmi and Jacques Prevert, introduced below:

HERE

HERE

Two Mexican poets, Coral Bracho and Briceida Cuevas Cob, introduced below:

HERE

HERE

June 17, 2010

Greece defeated Nigeria 2-1, keeping them in the hunt to advance to the next round. Nigeria had a 1-0 lead, but played a man down after one of their players lost their cool and was red-carded.

Greek poet, Sappho, called the tenth muse by Plato, here:

HERE

Poetry by Nigerian poet, Niyi Osundare, below:

HERE

June 17, 2010

Argentina blew out South Korea 4-1 in this match, which was highlighted by 3 goals from Gonzalo Huguain. This was the first hat trick of this World Cup. However, South Korea remains alive to advance to the next round. South Korea need to defeat or tie with Nigeria and hope that Argentina can defeat Greece in the last matches in this group.

HERE

Translation of Argentinean poet, Carlos Bugarin, here

HERE

Kim Hyesoon, South Korean poet, below:

HERE

world cup poetry #3

2010-06-16T22:08:00.004-04:00

June 13, 2010

Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0. With the win Slovenia now leads Group C.

Slovenian poet, Thomaž Šalamun, introduced below.

HERE

News article, “Algerian Sketches Savage Beauty of Tribal Dancer Inspires a Poem,”

HERE

June 13, 2010

Germany defeated Australia 4 nil. In this game the Germans took control early and Australia never recovered.

Samples of German poet, Peter Huchel, below:

HERE

Australian poet, Glenn W. Cooper, presented here:

HERE

June 13, 2010

Ghana defeated Serbia 1-0. This was the first African World Cup and the first African victory.

Kofi Anyidoho, poet from Ghana, below:

HERE

HERE

An article on Serbian poetry, including links and samples of Serbian poetry below:

HERE

June 14, 2010

Netherlands defeated Denmark decisively 2 nil in this match. Netherlands is one of the favorites in this World Cup.

Jaap Blonk, Dutch visual poet and artist below:

HERE

Ursula Andkjær Olsen, Dane poet introduced below:

HERE

June 14, 2010

Japan was sparked by rising star Keisuke Honda, whose goal was the difference in this game. Japan 1-Cameroon 0.

Japanese poet, Hiroshi Kawasaki, introduced below:

HERE

Bate Besong is a Cameroon poet, who died recently. There is an
interesting link and interview with Bate Besong below:

HERE

June 14, 2010

Italy and Paraguay tied 1-1. The favored Italians had all they could handle from Paraguay, who lead 1 nil until Italy was able to score and escape with a point.

Italian poet, Edoardo Sanguineti, below. Sanguineti died last month, May 18, 2010.

HERE

HERE

HERE

Manuel Ortiz Guerrero, poet from Paraguay below:

HERE

thanks for reading,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #2

2010-06-14T11:48:00.003-04:00

June 12, 2010

Argentina slipped past Nigeria 1-0. Argentina was held to one goal by the stingy goalie of Nigeria, who was the player of the game, keeping his country within striking distance.

An article here on Argentina’s “not-so-secret poetry boom,” which includes links to Julio Cortázar, Jorge Luis Borges, and Andi Nachon.

HERE

An article of The Younger Generation Of Contemporary Nigerian Poetry, with literary critics accusing the younger poets of being “too much in a hurry to get published.”

HERE

June 12, 2010

South Korea shut out Greece 2-0. South Korea scored early and put the game out of reach with its second goal. The Greek squad's chances of advancing to the next round is in jeopardy. They face the uneasy task of having to defeat Argentina and Nigeria to have any hope of remaining alive in this tournament.

South Korean poet, Choe Young-Mi, introduced below:

HERE

Constantine P. Cavafy, one of the most prominent Greek poets, is introduced below.

HERE

June 12, 2010

England scored an early goal against the United States. However, Robert Green, goalkeeper of England, committed a blunder that allowed the U.S. to tie the game 1-1.

Wallace Stevens, American Poet, introduced below.

HERE

17th Century English Literary: Metaphysical Poets introduced below:

HERE

more very soon,

Luis C. Berriozabal

world cup poetry #1

2010-06-11T14:48:00.001-04:00

the last World Cup, my buddy and all around good poet, Luis C. Berriozabal put together this spread of poetry related links connected to each country as they played. as it rolls around again, LCB graciously decided to do it again. so here you go, another round of World Cup Poetry brought to you by Mr. Berriozabal.

June 11, 2010

Mexico vs South Africa @ Soccer City Stadium

The Host country, South Africa, opens up 2010 World Cup against Mexico, my native country. My allegiance is with the tri-color, Mexico, but this match will be far from easy against the speedy South African team, who have the advantage of playing at home.

South African poet, Nontsizi Mgqwetho, described herself as “fearless,” “outspoken,” and “controversial” is introduced below. The Poetry International link:

HERE

HERE

HERE

Mexican poet, Sor Juana Inés De La Cruz, (1651-1695), Latin American’s first great poet is introduced below.

HERE

HERE

HERE

June 11, 2010

Uruguay vs France @ Green Point Station

France made it to the World Cup on a controversial goal against Ireland. Thierry Henry, the French forward used his hand to set up the winning goal. The referee missed the call, which cost Ireland a spot in the world cup. Check out the You Tube clip

HERE

Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930 and were the first country to win the World Cup. In 1950 Uruguay won their second World Cup, upsetting the host county, Brazil.

This match up between France a Uruguay will be difficult to predict.

French poet, Pierre Reverdy, associated with surrealism and cubism is introduced below:

HERE

Juana de Inarbourou, also known as Juana de America, is introduced below:

HERE

HERE

Stay tuned for more as the Cup progresses!

Luis C. Berriozabal

one year anniversary of Sunlight

2010-05-28T16:59:00.004-04:00

some good folks put this together for the one year anniversary of mine and Hosh's book of letters. makes it feel like the pages might ignite. thanks to Kim for all her hard work. you can still pick up one of the few remaining copies (I think there are about twenty left) HERE for about ~~eleven bucks~~ eight bucks. enjoy this book trailer for Sunlight at Midnight, Darkness at Noon.

check it out...

2010-05-18T14:05:00.001-04:00

some new photos of our produce over at our Veggie Ranch blog.

hear this...

2010-05-16T17:46:00.003-04:00

wanna hear my dulcet tones? check out the Orange Alert Podcast HERE. my stuff is around minute 19ish, with the Noot boys in the astral background...

our greenhouse...

2010-05-08T04:56:00.003-04:00

what fun...

read this...

2010-05-01T09:35:00.004-04:00

the new/old mag/internetmag Pig In A Poke is now live and I have some poems in it. check em out H E R E but be sure to read the rest, as there is some dandy work throughout.

the poems appeared initially in my book from sunnyoutside, Flowers In The Shadow Of The Storm, which featured a letterpressed, handpainted cover. there might be one or two copies of it left if you ask David nicely.

how we are spending our time...

2010-03-30T01:46:00.005-04:00

Stella B's Veggie Ranch & Art Bazaar.

getting ready for a helluva garden and doing a bunch of watercolors of Asheville and environs.

also, the poetry and all...I tell you, it's fucking rewarding as hell to watch a seed come up from the soil and turn into a basil plant or a cuke, knowing eventually, those things will directly nourish you physically, while the artform is working on the ol' soul, if such a thing exists.

it's a good fit.

oh, and also, Hosh and I are putting together the puzzle pieces for our book of Sunlight at Midnight companion poems and artwork, due out sometime this year from Bottle of Smoke Press. these are the 52 unpubbed poems that were written specifically for the hardback edition of our book of letters along with the prints of the 14 watercolors we did for the presentation copies. right now it's slated to be an all hardback production in an edition of 50. more info as it develops...

also, also: April First (yes, April Fool's Day) is mine and cynthia's 20th anniversary. that's right: twenty years together. and no, we're not married. we met in a bar while the Grateful Dead was in town and my mind wasn't quite grounded in reality. her people, who were familiar with my "work," recommended she steer clear of the long haired freak drinking bourbon. she did not. so jebus bless us, everyone, and send money...

new McCreesh...

2010-03-27T07:03:00.004-04:00

if you didn't know because you live beneath the sea or are a houseplant or a moran, Hosho McCreesh has a new super kick ass DeLux version of his latest poem collection from Propaganda Press that will cure your halitosis, raise your snot-nosed asshole children, make you strong like russian bear, clear up that "funky odor" coming from your basement and kiss you goodnight when you're lonely.

you should buy it unless you like sucking at life.

you can do it H E R E.

you don't wanna be a sucker, do you Mr. Simpson?

no. of course not.

(oh, and you've already missed the first edition of the DeLux, so it's second printing for the lot of you losers. heh, losers.)

do you have a Soft Opening?

2010-03-16T13:58:00.004-04:00

check out a new interview with Mathis Hunter H E R E. thanks mssr. bimbi for the mention, by the way...

Mathis Hunter - Gathering the Hopeful Gamblers from Petrichor Inc on Vimeo.

my new baby...

2010-03-09T06:55:00.004-05:00

watch your ass, trees...

in another couple weeks we're gonna get the soil turned then lay out our beds/rows. I'm gonna use that orange sucker to chop up a bunch of the downed trees on the property and make our poles and "A" frames for the garden. we've already started, from all asheville heirloom and organic seeds, leeks, lemon cukes, marketmore cukes, new mexico big jim and california golden wonder peppers, genovese and purple dark opal basil, ronde de nice and black beauty zukes, early golden squash, a bunch of lettuces and spinach plus some killer tomatoes we hope stand up to the prevalent blight that struck last year: sundrop, brown cherry, green grape, snow white, cherry, cherokee purple, cherry sweetie, yellow pear, some tomatillos, green zebra. we're gonna get our potatoes going as soon as I build the bins and we're gonna direct seed a shitload of beans: rattlesnake, royal burgundy, cherokee wax, black turtle, limas, etc. plus some scarlet nantes carrots, edisto melons, moon and stars and sugar baby watermelons, red burgundy okra...

I still need to buy seed for broccoli, cabbage, corn and a few other things, plus get our pest control working in the form of diatomaceous earth, beneficial insects, BT, serenade, specific flowers, heavy mulching with grass clippings, etc...

we've started our kick ass compost heap and know where we're gonna get our soil amendments ready to go. I'll be posting pictures as things unfold. we plan on taking our veggies and art (I'll take my books like Flowers and Sunlight and Animal Life plus watercolors of asheville and cyn will take photos and crafts and beautiful handmade earrings) to market this year and seeing what's what. the working name of the thing is Stella B's Vegetable Ranch and Art Bazaar. it's a lot of fun...

it's all just an excuse though to buy a chainsaw and cut some shit up with a loud power tool.

oh, and it came with a hat.

nice.

go...

2010-02-24T06:50:00.001-05:00

read this: H E R E.

thinking of...

2010-02-19T14:12:00.000-05:00

Eliot.

man, that's some good shit right there...

new bimbi solo effort...

2010-02-01T21:53:00.003-05:00

my man Mathis Hunter aka Bimbi Garraux has a new solo album out called Soft Opening. it's awesome. check out an interview with him H E R E.

your Google works;

ask it if you need more info...

a guy I know...

2010-01-04T21:14:00.008-05:00

ever hear about the guy who ran a poker room and spent his time hustling pool in the underbelly of early nineteen sixties tennessee? you know, the guy whose dad was a cop and his mother a righteous church going country lady who ran the house with an iron fist but still he managed to cut a swath of sideburned hell-raising thru the gamblers and punks he ran with? the guy who gave it up when his kid was born, put away the easy money and dangerous thrill of taking it off another man with his wits and cunning so that he could have a steady reliable means of raising his new son and caring for the young italian wife he met crashing a party at a local catholic school? ever hear about that guy?

the guy who raised three kids, kids who turned out to be a dynamite mother, a tattooed businesswoman and, much to his chagrin and pride, a degenerate gambler and hustler who also wrote a couple of poems here and there? the guy who bought said son a guitar and forever altered the course of his possible futures and also instilled in him a love of reading and books? who taught him about responsibility and its proper application, explained the reason for having two bankrolls, separately wrapped in rubber bands when at the table, to play small cards out of position sometimes, to focus risk and know when to ignore the odds? who supported said son no matter what insanity the kid threw at him?

the guy who spent more than forty years with that italian bride and loved her more than himself, the guy who worked his ass off to make sure his family would prosper, who traveled the country building railroads, carrying upon him the romantic aura of a lone black steam engine rolling and smoking thru the american countryside?

who welled up with pride holding his grandson, and then, grandsons?

ever hear about him? the guy who lived a wondrous life, a rich life, the guy who dripped wisdom and intellect and a driven curiosity about everything he encountered? who papered his walls with newspaper clippings and post it notes and memos to himself and who passed that knowledge of things both large and small, of things emotional and clinical, matters of the heart and mind and spirit and future and past and things stupid and silly and hilarious and important, passed it on to his kids, his wife, his friends and all the rest?

the guy who could perfectly shuffle a deck of cards and also loved motherfucking penguins?

ever hear about that guy? who split this mortal coil on saturday, january second?

no? well, now you have.

I'll miss you, dad. we all will.

love,

your son.

happy new year

2010-01-01T13:58:00.001-05:00

cya aughts.

you almost crushed our spirits, you crappy decade.

but not quite.

nice mention...

2009-12-18T20:21:00.001-05:00

of Sunlight in the indie blog Deckfight's year end list H E R E.

also, if you click the Sunlight link above, you'll find that OA Press is having a holiday sale and you can pick up your copy, if you lack one, for a mere eleven bucks.

check it out.

or don't.

your choice. I'm going to go have a Ninety Minute IPA and listen to the rain.

a chapter from something bigger than a poem...

2009-12-10T02:20:00.005-05:00

Old National Highway is the next exit past the airport, south of Atlanta, and during rush hour the cars line up in terrible double rows, jamming into the heart of every intersection. They block all lanes and you can see the rage vibrating behind everyone’s eyes, but nobody ever blows their horn. Planes come in low, skating over the edge of the freeway and down onto the tarmac, trailing faint grey smoke. Sitting in the traffic, the sound of bass curls and wisps along the ground. It leaks into any open vehicular orifice along with a pervasive fried smell which permeates the greasy air, thick with jet fuel and asphalt, emanating from the endless fast food restaurants. Red and yellow signs glare while digital readouts note the increasing cost of gasoline. At every bus stop, trash cans overflow into the dirty street and black spray-painted graffiti covers most surfaces. Old women with strollers, young black men with dreadlocks, fat children and their handlers wait in clumps of faceless humanity. A man smokes a tragic cigarette. People with cell phones affixed to the sides of their heads wander in and out of traffic, heedless of the world they’ve made as it screams and veers around them. A man wearing a bowtie and selling folded newspapers asks a driver to buy a copy and is rejected.

Further down Old National, past Wal-Mart and Kroger, past the fifteen gas stations and their bright fluorescent shine, is our neighborhood. We live in an old house with a small yard where a big oak leans its limbs upon the roof. It’s me and my girl and our dog. We’ve been here for ten years, or forever. Here is where we watch the days pass among the housing tracts vacated by a fleeing white middle class in the early eighties, left behind by those seeking gated communities, planned golf course housing developments with signage restrictions, neighborhood covenants, a loyal police force. Now it is populated by strangers uninterested in the idea of a neighborhood, instead only seeking four walls to store their lives. Now this place belongs to no one. Now a sinister feeling pervades each cul-de-sac, each dead end street and indifferent darkened driveway. Now there is a sense of being shackled to the world by a fraying thread.

It has become like a memory of someone else's childhood.

I work nights and come home to this place. I work and when I leave, I say I am going home, but I wonder, sometimes, about that word.

I drive thru the dark streets and catch glimpses of stray cat eyes darting behind bushes. Flickering blue light from flat screens presses against covered window panes. I rub my face and put my blinker on even though nobody is around. I turn down the hill. Across from us is their house, the brown house where Johnny and the grandmother, and all the unknowable children live, the house where the trouble began. Next to us live Mr. Adams and his wife who was a widow up until she met him a few years back. He keeps his yard clean and full of flowers. It is the only place like it on my street. On the other side is Ms. Sue with her endless parade of relatives and church people. I pull up close to the garage and get out. I lock the doors and set the alarm. My girl is waiting. The dog presses her nose up against the screen door. I walk up.

Inside is one of the last bits of sanity anywhere in the world, a place where the lamps aren’t too bright and there is cold water and coffee. A place to read something good, to sit at the typewriter and write, a place where someone can cook a meal, not a big meal, something simple and warm, something quick and easy after a long night of cleaning up other people’s leftovers, other people’s lives. We can argue here too, we can scowl and frown and yell. We can let things go when we need to.

Inside is everything we have left, after so long together.

But out there is the neighborhood, and our little island is no defense against the rising tide of everyday horror. After the sun goes down, if you are quiet and still, the sounds begin to seep into your mind, to crawl into your ears and urge you to madness.

At night a chorus of lonely animals in yards overgrown with weeds begins to sing. An orchestra of barking dogs performs with quick shouts, intermittent howls, choked yelps, a machine gun rapid beat, a low rumble from each individual voice conveying personality and determination, a need to be heard. There are special tones, odd frequencies and strange patterns reverberating between the split level homes, with new phrases echoing in response to the vanishing wave of sound. And then, even louder, the silence in between movements rising like a held breath with all ears waiting, listening, desperate for someone to come into their theatre and relieve them, release them.

But no one ever comes and the College Park symphony drones back into life, every few minutes, every goddamned night.

Always.

something to read...

2009-12-08T23:07:00.002-05:00

stones

she picks up
stones
with
fool’s gold
embedded
within
the
layers.

she piles them
up in a glass
vase
and watches
them shine
in the sunlight.

time and
pressure,
chance
and
determination.

she finds
what
she
is
looking for.

rock...

2009-11-22T01:39:00.001-05:00

one of my favorite zappa songs played by a zappa. the sax playing will destroy you.

fuck you, corporate politicians...

2009-11-19T06:06:00.004-05:00

did you know that without insurance, an MRI will run a person around $1200? I read that in a report about such things.

then a person will know what, if anything, is wrong. the price of the test is also an indicator of how it will be too fucking expensive to fix the problem, if there is one.

universal single payer. medicare for all. I mean, it wasn't ever even "on the table." you motherfuckers with your cop-out legislation can cram it up your fat soft well-taken-care-of asses.

but in the meantime, lots of americans will die needlessly.

way to go, america.

the new sound...

2009-11-02T14:39:00.011-05:00

here at the Spider House we spent Halloween dancing in the rain and studying under the tutelage of Pure Freaked Out Madness. as a result of the Cosmic Cleansing, I have a new program, and I've got my Door of Kukundu now. here's a mere taste...

driving at sunset with an empty tank

at four thousand feet
clouds crawl
over the mountain
peaks
and reach out to
touch the autumn sun’s
slowly draining glow.

their wispy fingers
melt upon contact
and are curled back
into faint mist and
a memory
of
motion.

near barren trees
collect
what remains
and
stand
firm,
casting long shadows
against the
coming
of
the
night

and the
inevitability

of
another
winter.

four seconds to keep living

as storm clouds
dissolve
and
purple blue sky
prickles with hot yellow
sunbursts,

tall grass
beads
with
trembling glass.

high above,
a rainbow forms.

and
then,

for impossible seconds
before vanishing,

another.

curve

he steers hard
into the tight
curve
and can hear
the tires
chirp
as
they slip across
the center stripes
into the other
lane,
but
only for a
moment.

there are
no other cars
on the road.

he
presses
down on the gas.

up ahead
is darkness.

he smiles.

cunningham
09

autumn in heaven...

2009-10-29T11:27:00.003-04:00

come up and see us...

well, not you.

read this...

2009-10-16T16:32:00.003-04:00

interview with Luis C. Berriozabal, one of the small press' finest.

death's press release...

2009-10-15T14:23:00.000-04:00

read the press release for Death Is My Subject H E R E.

tell your friends. there are only a few Deluxe Editions left, kids...

death is my subject...

2009-10-11T00:14:00.012-04:00

my latest chapbook Death Is My Subject, published by the fantastic inmates/lunatics at Propaganda Press, is now available.

it is one of the Pocket Protector books, #12 in the series, and can be had in two different forms; you can pick up the standard PP version H E R E for three bucks plus postage, or you can get the really fucking incredible "Deluxe Edition," which comes with the PP chap plus an additional chapbook of poems not in the PP book as well as a laminated, signed bookmark and a signed, full-color cardstock broadside all wrapped in a black crepe paper package. the Deluxe is a limited edition and will run you six bucks plus postage; you can pick it up H E R E.

the Deluxe Edition:

I hope you take a chance on this chapbook, it represents the retirement of all published and unpublished work up to 2009, and the beginning of writing all new stuff for as long as I can drag my old ass over to the goddamn typewriter.

I can't say enough about the awesome job Leah Angstman did putting this package together. thanks so much to her for the incredible design job. remember, buying it (or any of the other great Prop Press releases) supports a kickass indy press, and that can't be bad, right? right. go do it now. do it. go. now.

oh, plus: it's scary, because it's all black. and black is scary.

oh, and plus and also: for Halloween.

read this...

2009-10-08T22:54:00.004-04:00

interview with the publisher of my book Flowers In The Shadow Of The Storm, David MacNamara, the head freak over at sunnyoutside.

click H E R E.

want this?

2009-10-08T01:13:00.006-04:00

I have ~~three two one~~ none signed author copies left of the color broadside being included with the "Deluxe" edition of my Pocket Protector book Death Is My Subject from Propaganda Press; I hope everyone purchases one of the limited "Deluxe" copies for a measly six bucks when it's available sometime next week or so (I'll post a link), but in the meantime, if anyone wants one of those three, email me and I'll put it in the mail.

the poem is "like some mutual disease" and it's one of my personal favorites; the kind of poem I'd like inscribed on my tombstone, if I planned on having one of those things. which I don't.

I'm going to be ground into fine powder, mixed with ink and then be scrawled across a thick piece of paper. I'll say, "fuck you, assholes! I had more fun than you!" then I'll have the paper photocopied, scanned and spam-emailed around the world. then the original will be crumpled up into a tight ball, tossed to the dogs for a good chewing, set on fire, then thrown into the creek behind our house.

it'll be nice.

go read this...

2009-10-02T00:25:00.003-04:00

Poethound posted a rare interview (the only one I've ever read, in fact) with Joe Shields, one of the editors of the greatest small press mag out there, Nerve Cowboy. read it H E R E.

something to read...

2009-09-30T03:55:00.003-04:00

The Mailbox

“I don’t believe in writer’s block,” he told her.

They were sitting at the table in their kitchen. Sunshine slipped thru the barely parted curtains and climbed across the empty breakfast plates. He looked at her when she didn’t say anything.

“I know you think I have it, but I don’t.”

She was picking at a crust of toast drying on a napkin.

“I never said anything like that and you know it.”

“Yeah, but you don’t have to say it. It’s all over your face.” He scratched his nose. “I can finish that fucking book.”

“I know you can.”

“Bullshit. You lost faith in me a long time ago.”

“No, you lost faith in you.”

He bristled.

“What do you know about it?”

“I watch you, I listen to you, I remember how you used to be.” She stood up and carried her plate and empty glass to the sink. Dropped them in. Ran some water. “You used to smile. Now you don’t.”

He picked up her napkin and the crusts and the crumbs and the rest of it. She stepped out of the way. He finished clearing the table as she watched him.

“Well, so what? Who cares if I smile or not?”

“It’s symbolic.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? You think ‘smiling’ is my problem?”

“No.”

“Well, what the fuck are you talking about then?”

“People who are happy smile. You don’t.”

“Bullshit, I smile. Watch.”

His twisted his lips into an echo of a smile. His cheeks wrinkled with effort. He showed her his teeth.

“Wow. That was terrible.”

He made a sound almost like a laugh.

“You used to really laugh,” she said. “There was a light.”

He scowled. Light, he thought. How ridiculous. He didn’t remember any light.

“Whatever. I’m going to take a shower and get dressed. We got some shit to take care of, you know.”

“I know.”

He headed down the hallway to the bathroom. She heard the door close and water pour into the tub. She parted the curtains and stared out into the yard. She listened to the sounds coming from the shower. She could hear the pattern of drops change as he moved around. She thought about the day ahead, how it was just exactly like so many other days.

After a while, the water stopped. In the silence, she could hear birds calling outside. She walked over to the front door and looked out the screen. Out by the mailbox she could see a murder of crows digging in the grass and hanging from the trees like dark jewels. They shined in the morning sun, barking at each other as they worked.

Then, one by one, they flew away.

also...

2009-09-30T00:37:00.002-04:00

I don't know if you people have good breweries in your town or what kinds of beer they brew, but even if you do, the Iron Rail IPA from Wedge Brewing here in Asheville kicks its ass.

it is the best beer I've had in a long, long time, citrus and pine and caramel and deep orange/rust color with a long lingering aftertaste of deliciousness, dry hopped and barely bitter...oh mama.

shame you can't get any. I'll drink one of these beauties for you, loser.

down this crooked road...

2009-09-29T14:37:00.007-04:00

is now available. Bill Taylor, Jr. chose the work for this anthology, and it's a fine bit of gathering indeed.

you can pick up your copy (and read a few sample poems) H E R E.

lit shiz...

2009-09-09T11:30:00.003-04:00

my new chap Death Is My Subject, the next Pocket Protector book from Propaganda Press is almost ready to roll. it will be available in a "Deluxe" edition, as well as the regular chap, and it will feature the PP chap with its black cardstock cover and black lettering, a bonus 1/8 size chap with poems not in the regular edition, a color broadside on cardstock, signed by yours truly, and a limited edition laminated bookmark with black tassel and bead, all wrapped in black paper and bound with a black ribbon. I think the "Deluxe" edition runs around six bucks and the regular is around three (plus shipping). I'll post an exact link when the book is finished. thanks much to Leah for such a stunning job on a great little book.

still don't know enough about Hosh and I? still haven't read Sunlight at Midnight, Darkness at Noon? then head over to PoetHound and check out a new interview: H E R E.

also, I am a Hunter S. Thompson ripoff, not Bukowski, just FYI, Paul. I can't say who Hosh is ripping off.

outside the last grasses of the summer are being slaughtered by suburban madmen and the whine of their gas powered killing machines smokes thru the early afternoon air. dogs howl. the sun bakes. thank god winter lurks somewhere over the sweating horizon. we can hold out until sundown, I think. then there will be some manner of reckoning...

go read this...

2009-08-31T14:12:00.002-04:00

check out this great write up of Overcome by Luis Berriozabal and my lady, Cynthia Etheridge over at Orange Alert: H E R E.

review of Sunlight at Midnight...

2009-08-12T22:25:00.001-04:00

you can read it H E R E.

interview...

2009-07-27T21:36:00.001-04:00

with Hosho and I in re: Sunlight; you can check it out H E R E.

lit shiz and other...

2009-07-16T13:30:00.003-04:00

thanks to everyone who sent their kind words of support and consolation; it means a lot to us.

onwards.

Kendra Steiner Editions just issued their latest offering, a joint chapbook of poems and photos by Luis C. Berriozabal and my lady Cynthia Etheridge. it's a well-done b/w affair featuring the usual stunning poetry of LCB coupled with textured, atmospheric photographs taken by Cyn. she also did the covers of two of my chaps, In Gambler's Blood (sold out) and A Sound To Drive Away The Coming Darkness (still available). you can read more about it or order your own copy of this limited release H E R E.

in the very near future, some of my work will be appearing in an anthology put together by William Taylor, Jr for Lummox Press along with Miles Bell, Hosho McCreesh, MK Chavez, Father Luke, Christopher Robin and Bill. this is a collection of some of Bill's favorite writers, and I'm honored to appear. the title of the anthology is Down This Crooked Road, taken from one of my poems, which is nice of Bill, and I'll post ordering info as soon as the book is available. I hope you google the above authors and find out more about their work if you don't know it; you'll be pleased with what you find...

one of my poems will be appearing in the forthcoming Bottle, an all broadside "magazine" from Bill Roberts at Bottle of Smoke Press. these are some of the finest broadsides you'll ever see, and mine is no exception. the title is blindstamped and the artwork is a four color letter pressed masterpiece of perfect interpretation. you can see it being printed H E R E and I have a few author's copies. I'll send a signed copy to the first TWO people who email me who aren't already getting a contrib. copy of Bottle.

Hosho and I will have the next section in the timeline of our letters published in BukScene #2 (you can read about #1 H E R E), due out in the near future. this segment covers the first couple months of 2003 and Hosh's time in Paris. if you've read Sunlight, you might be interested. again, I'll post info when the issue appears.

speaking of Sunlight, I just want to say thanks to all those who've emailed us and told us how much they enjoyed reading it. anyone who wants to take a small peek inside can click H E R E.

lastly, my new chap Death Is My Subject is forthcoming in the next month or two from Propaganda Press as part of their Pocket Protector Series. there will be links, I promise, when it's ready to roll.

okay for now. more later.

sorry...

2009-06-27T15:59:00.005-04:00

I've been away for a bit; we've had a death in the family. such things help one realize exactly who and what's important and how everything and everyone else can go get fucked.

but you get emails like this one from Doug Draime and it helps one understand why making art is an important thing, no matter the level of suffering, no matter the difficulty of enduring another withering day in the shitpile of humanity. thanks again for the kind words on Sunlight, big Doug:

"...Received my hardback copy a few days ago, and I honestly can't think of a book I've read in recent history that I am more impressed by. The way you guys so fearlessly question the human condition, and the artist's place in it, is a must read for anyone who passionately seeks the purpose of our existence, and our reason for creating. IT IS ONE ASS KICKING MOTHERFUCKER of a book..."

this then is the crux and function of all good writing and of all good art: the forging of a deep connection and thru it, honest communication with actual, living, feeling human beings. this person who died was not a "poetry type" (whatever that is), but he read, in his later life, some small press poets who reached him in a way I always belived to be possible, and saw, thru this man, the actual accomplishment of poetry cutting thru the ugliness of years of hard life, and shining a melancholy light and shades of hope on what remains.

and if that's not what you strive for as an artist, to save some portion of the beauty of humanity to show to the lost and miserable, the dead and dying, the lonely and hopeless, to alchemize the suffering of the everyday into something that helps us go on despite our inevitable walk into those dark woods at the end, then you are just a finger painter fiddling with turds, just a child with a chip and a shoulder, just a weak masturbating diarist, doomed to wallow in the misery of your choices for as long as your sad little lives manage to creak along before the big fall.

real life is out there, kids; pay attention and "do not waste it lightly," sayeth the kamikaze...

go read this...

2009-06-19T10:33:00.003-04:00

interview with the earthly representative of that Cosmic Funk Machine and Psychedelia Factory that is Noot d'Noot, Mathis Hunter, H E R E.

find out what makes a person do the kinds of things a person like this does.

another published writer...

2009-06-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

in the family. seems like I'm not the only one who can write a letter; check out cyn's righteous indignation H E R E on a topic we at The Compound know way too fucking much about at this point...

some of the presentation copy watercolors...

2009-06-18T10:57:00.004-04:00

hosh's are on the left and mine are on the right. you can tell because mine stink and his are awesome.

a good day...

2009-06-04T14:25:00.002-04:00

freshly opened...

the four color letterpressed spines on the clamshells...

basking in the goodness.

the presentation copies have gold silk spines and the lettered copies have red silk spines. these things are unreal looking, and the trade paperback sofcovers are glorious as well. they are all signed and the watercolors inserted and the manuscript broads, cds and all else are ready to go. looks like everything will start shipping at the first of the week. thanks again to everyone involved in this fantastic book.

hardbacks...

2009-05-31T08:46:00.002-04:00

everything is finished on the hardbacks, and will be in my grubby mitts for signing on tuesday. then I'll ship em to jason in chicago and they will be on their way to you good folks. the cds should arrive at the same time, and all softcover orders will go out at that point as well.

the time is at hand. we're excited. we offer our deepest thanks to everyone involved, and to you, the reader of the work, most of all.

you can order softcovers H E R E.

super sneak peak...

2009-05-25T03:54:00.002-04:00

at one of the seven "Presentation" copies of Sunlight, a hardcover version sitting in a custom clamshell case. each of these will have two original watercolors, one each by Hosh and I, with images drawn from the text, lovingly inserted:

new noot video...

2009-05-25T03:45:00.001-04:00

a happy box...

2009-05-20T22:57:00.001-04:00

freshly arrived at the Orange Alert Press HQ. right on schedule...

nice mention...

2009-05-19T09:07:00.005-04:00

Jason at Orange Alert puts a "Spotlight" on one of mine.

if you've not picked this one up, I hope you take a chance on it; and if you think mr. cunningham is a total asshole and nothing but a pure shitheel who can't write a lick, then check out the rest of the Propaganda Press stable of writers, folks like justin.barrett, alan catlin, a.d. winans, hosho mccreesh, jeff fleming and many more. you can do a lot worse in the small press than some of these titles, plus PP actually thinks poets should get royalties on their work, isn't that crazy? I think it's crazy, but what the hell do I know? I'm just a jerk...

the proof...

2009-05-16T02:48:00.005-04:00

has arrived for Sunlight.

free shipping on all orders placed before the release date of May 25th (Miles Davis' birthday); the hardbacks are gone but the softcovers are almost ready to roll. get yours today!

Throwing around culture’s Titans—Jerry Garcia, Hemingway, Billie Holliday, Pollack, Hawking, van Gogh, Bill Hicks, Bukowski, among others in just a few short pages—it’s quickly apparent that these missives are painted with broad strokes. It’s all part of two artists mapping their friendship through letters as Cunningham and McCreesh proclaim their “duty as poets” and their longing to be “fully human,” where you ultimately you realize it’s not so much about the Titans as it is their fire. - David McNamara (Publisher, Sunnyoutside)

lit shiz...

2009-05-15T04:57:00.013-04:00

each year, Bill Roberts of Bottle of Smoke Press creates a masterpiece of the broadside printing arts, a compilation of great poetry and unbelievable printing called Bottle, an all-broadside "magazine." this year is no exception, and I've been lucky enough to have a few poems in past issues, and Bill found one of mine he thought enough of to include in #6, due out very soon. this bad boy is gonna be seriously beautiful and I can't wait to see it in its completed state. thanks, Big Bill...

you can catch a couple of videos of my broadside being printed by Bill and Jill Cypher of Lead Graffiti. check it out H E R E and H E R E.

I'll post ordering info as soon as it becomes available.

also just got the new New York Quarterly. haven't made it thru yet, but it looks pretty damn good overall, with barely any usual small press whiny-ass poems working the diary/journal angle (there are a few; you can't escape it). I have one more extra copy for anyone who emails me and wants it (somehow they sent me two extras; I got another in the mail today).

you can't go wrong with nibble, either; the new issue is a beaut. jeff fleming's editorial selections are spot on as usual. over at the website this week is his "Eight Questions" interview series, and this week it's Father Luke. worth your time...

got my contrib. copy of the fantastic debut release from Chance Press called A Common Thread and it's one of the nicest designed chap anthologies I've seen; double hand sewn signatures, slick paper, letterpressed cover piece, gorgeous endpages, and an interesting pouch containing the autographs of all contribs on individual slips of paper. it features the poetry of Bukowski dot Net members, and is surprising in its breadth and scope. not just the "type" of poetry you might expect. I think the autographed copy is sold out but you can get more info H E R E. thanks to Jordan and Justine for putting out such a fine bit of printing.

lastly, the letters book is at the printer. Jason Beherends, the editor of OA Press is "twittering" clips from the book, and if you're into following that sort of thing (I'm not) you can click H E R E. it'll be out by the end of the month...exciting stuff indeed. thanks again to everyone who's supported it.

ten point press...

2009-05-07T09:53:00.003-04:00

just got the broadsides of for days now from sean at ten point in Ireland.

man oh man these things are fucking sweet, like velvet.

gonna sign em, ship em back and soon, they will be available. email sean at the link above for more info...

american thoughts...

2009-05-07T09:39:00.002-04:00

if it doesn't benefit me directly, then it is total bullshit.

also: I love the smell of fried.

bimbi...

2009-05-06T12:15:00.005-04:00

makes a mixtape for Creative Loafing.

more, older.

interview and...

2009-05-02T21:04:00.005-04:00

if you still don't know enough about hosho, father luke or myself, you can click H E R E and fill your brain with whatever might be missing.

also, the letters book is coming right along and will be out by the end of the month; the cover is done, the guts are laid out, the cd is going to be duped, everything is falling into place. all the info you need can be found H E R E. you can also hear an excerpt from The Sunlight Tapes at the link...

and if you don't buy it, we're gonna send this guy over to your house to persuade you:

eight questions...

2009-04-24T04:40:00.006-04:00

the fine folk over at the print magazine nibble asked me some questions.

H E R E is how I answered.

thanks for the opportunity, Jeff.

the postcard...

2009-04-24T02:25:00.004-04:00

with actual finished cover:

you can order the soft cover H E R E (the hardbacks are sold out).

go read this...

2009-04-21T18:11:00.002-04:00

it's about my good friend justin.barrett.

it's nice to have friends.

attention, pt. 2

2009-04-18T20:14:00.007-04:00

changed my mind.

I'm not gonna waste my time deleting the deliberately off topic comments and moderating shit from trolls or friends or whomever, if you wanna talk to me, email me.

if you wanna talk to someone else, email them.

I have things to write and whatnot, and frankly, nobody can help with that, especially not with a comment, positive, negative, purposefully obtuse, willfully ignorant, joyful, gleeful, angry or otherwise.

enjoy your stay at the new, comment free UPRIGHT.

update 5/7: changed my mind again. I just realized, while searching for a link back in the archives from 2007, this method strips all the OLD comments away from the blog, all the way back to the beginning, and that's where a lot of good shit happened in the past, so I'm instead going to moderate comments at my leisure.

attention...

2009-04-18T15:41:00.006-04:00

this is a blog about Christopher Cunningham, his work, and his assorted bullshit, like stuff he enjoys and various and whatever and etc. if you dig it, stop by. if you hate it, stop by. but leave me out of your conversations with others, please. I am not interested and will delete only those comments that are off topic and annoying.

otherwise, say whatever you like and it stays. I could care less if assholes and/or friends make jerks of themselves...not really anything I can control or care to.

also, it's Saturday and really nice here in the mountains and me, my girl of twenty years, my two dogs and the super fine afternoon are gonna enjoy ourselves, drink some bloody marys and beer, eat a nice meal, all the shit real people do when they have lives.

just sayin'.

end transmission.

check it out...

2009-04-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

just got my contibutor copy of the Owen Roberts/Compulsive Press and Bill Roberts/Bottle of Smoke Press collaborative effort AggressiveBehaviour Anthology2 in the mail and it's one beaut of a handmade anthology of poetry by some fine fine poets (and there's also some crappy work of mine that somehow made it thru), as well as some truly gorgeous full color artwork by Henry Denander. the production is excellent and striking, and the poets inside include such luminaries as (you'll have to google these, I'm too tired for links): Denander, Locklin, justin.barrett, A.D. Winans, David Barker, Glenn Cooper (I think because Glenn's poems are always so heartbreakingly goddamn good that my mind never lets me remember how much I love his work; the poem "Life" in this anthology is worth the entire cost of admission...seriously, the motherfucker can write a line like everything depends on its landing properly...a boxer with words, that one...), Graziano and many more.

the book documents the ups and downs of a tough world, and the seeming uselessness but undeniable necessity of poetry and art in such a place as this. Owen's own poetry captures the essences of one man's struggle just to come to terms with the frailty of his own nature when faced with the raw impossibility of change that MUST COME or that black robed sumbitch wins...

there is amusement and melancholy and joy and resignation. you might want to pick one up before it is sold out forever: it comes out May 01 in an edition of 100 and you can pick it up H E R E for $8 reg. edition or $25 for the "Deluxe" version (I suggest stepping up to the DELUXE package myself).

support the world of the indy publisher; you could do a whole lot worse with your spare change...

attention:

2009-04-16T23:41:00.002-04:00

I am going to sleep now for many many hours.

good night.

in case y'all ain't heard...

2009-04-15T03:13:00.004-04:00

the editor of nibble, dandy poet and all around super awesome guy Jeff Fleming has a new chap out and if you've not yet purchased this mother, you need to. Jeff writes quiet poems of sad beauty, poems rich with images and life, poems that vibrate and cling to the page out of desperation and wonder, and this chap, The Bones Of Saints Under Glass, bursts with such work. the cover is by one Hosho McCreesh whom I've vaguely heard of somewhere, and the words will surely move you; they are heartfelt, heart-wrenching and honest as can be. a fine little collection from a ~~tall~~ strange skinny poet (not justin.barrett, heh).

you can pick it up H E R E.

why have you not bought it yet? you're not a punk are you?

good.

please to enjoy...

2009-04-11T04:26:00.010-04:00

this sneak peak at the cover art for Sunlight at Midnight, Darkness at Noon:

thanks much to Chris Roberts for the really fucking great work.

the handbound hardbacks are sold out, but if you missed em, we hope you consider reserving one of the 100 softcovers with the above gorgeous cover art. you can do so H E R E; just let Jason know, or you can leave a note in the comments and we'll get you on the list (all softcovers also come with The Sunlight Tapes audio cd)...

heh and etc.

2009-04-10T14:14:00.009-04:00

and hilarity ensues...

the official announcement...

2009-04-05T22:02:00.011-04:00

for Sunlight is H E R E. for those who don't know, there are 26 hand-bound hardbacks as a special edition, and as of today there are only ~~four three~~ none left.

if you missed the hardback version, we hope you still click the above link and take a chance on the trade paperback, being offered in an edition of 100 and including the same cd as the hardback special edition.

I'm thrilled that this book is being made (especially while I'm alive, heh), that Jason and everyone else involved saw something universal in these personal letters Hosh and I traded back and forth for years, and that so many fine artists are involved to make it a stunning reality.

I offer my humble thanks to those who purchase it and hope you are thoughtfully moved by the contents, much like I was every fucking time I opened up the mailbox and discovered, through the pain and joy of someone the width of a country away, more about myself and art, and the endurance of the human spirit despite the endless banal horrors of daily life, than I thought possible.

these letters helped me to go on; and not just writing...

UPDATE: the hardbacks are now SOLD OUT. thanks to everyone who signed up...

interesting...

2009-04-04T22:10:00.010-04:00

was wandering around in a local vintage stuff store today, looking thru the books in one of the stalls, and came across a book of letters from Thomas Wolfe to his mother in 1920. since we've been spending time in Asheville, I thought I'd pick it up and thumb thru it (I've not read Look Homeward, Angel but it's on my list of books I'm probably never gonna get to), and opened it up to this dandy passage:

...but let me paint you a picture of the probable future. 'You can write and teach too,' you will say. Yes, yes, how fine, how hopeful that all is. In ten, fifteenyears, I will be a sour, dyspeptic, small town pedant, the powers of my youth forgotten or repressed, bitter, morose, blaming Everybody but myself for what might have been. The awful thing about most people is their caution - the crawling, abject bird-in-a-hand theory.

The security of the present job - with its safe wage - is ever so much better than the uncertain promise of future glory. What matter if you kill your soul! - your fire - your talent - you can play the game safe and manage to live. Live!

...On the train coming up I developed a heavy cold, which hung on most persistently...I became worried...one night I started coughing here in my room, and I put a handkerchief to my mouth. When I drew it away there was a tiny spot of blood on it. I was half sick with horror and tried not to think about it. [...]The cold got better, the cough subsided, it has gone now - and the soreness has disappeared from my lung. But that is not the important thing; when this thing happened - which, I think, meant little - I thought the worst, and saw the slow certain advance of the old Skeleton with the Scythe - I saw the sure destruction, the erasure, the blotting out of my dreams and my poetry - and myself - and I couldn't face it. And then, almost in miraculous fashion, I steadied, my mind cleared and the old fear left me. I kept thinking of the words of Socrates just before they put him to death: 'For I hoped that I should be guilty of nothing common or mean in the hour of danger' - and these words gave me courage, and a measure of hope. And now I feel I can go on with a firmer step, and a more resolute heart. There is a new fatalism in my beliefs and I feel ready for whatever may come, but, whatever it may be, I mean to express myself to the last ounce, meanwhile.

So if there is a sore or corrupt place in me I feel that the rest of me - which is strong and healthy - should be able to put it down. And if that is true of my life, then why not there as well? If there is a sore or corrupt place in my life, why should not the rest of me - that part of me which has fed on poetry, and the eternal tragedy and beauty - wipe out old stains and ragged scars?

I'm looking forward to delving further, as I understand his picture in fiction of his small town of Asheville made it all but impossible for him to return...

I'm hoping to one day accomplish that same feat here in College Park, GA and paint such an accurate picture of life that it actually offends the other residents with its truth. and maybe effects (affects?) some kind of change...though I'm not holding my breath; some folks will always tell you the sky is green no matter the evidence to the contrary. that green sky is a necessary thing for their religion, their belief system, their existence to continue functioning, and to admit its blueness is to admit failure as a human being. but that won't stop me from writing about the savages and their baleful wailing before the sad and terrible blue sky that won't be green for them, no matter how hard they will it...it doesn't matter if it's a dog on a chain they refuse to acknowledge as another living thing just like them or a jesus that'll fix everything or a political ideology that is self-defeating even as its echo chamber promises bountiful success while the bus is plummeting over the cliff face into the abyss.

anyway, it's important to not be them, no matter the cost. it's important to attempt. creation is revolutionary in a world of donkeys content with the hand they've been dealt and lacking the imagination to bluff their way out of a big loss.

or whatever.

things are probably fine the way they are.

a good one...

2009-03-31T11:41:00.001-04:00

from the padre H E R E.