mlle megan

on the road

2012-01-24T18:31:00.000-06:00

This Thursday I embark on a mini reading tour with readings in Atlanta, Athens, GA, and Birmingham, AL. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, please come out and say hello. I will be at Emory University on Thursday evening, the Avid Bookshop in Athens on Friday evening, and the Indian Springs School for their Visiting Writer's Series on Monday. Looking forward to the trip and the readings!

jen tynes & michael sikkema in lawrence, ks

2012-01-21T11:09:00.000-06:00

Jen Tynes & Michael Sikkema

+open mic

5pm Sunday January 22nd

Jen Tynes is the founding editor of Horse Less Press. She is most recently the author of Heron/Girlfriend (Coconut Books) and the co-author, with Michael Sikkema, of Autogeography (Black Warrior Review). She has chapbooks forthcoming from DoubleCross Press, Projective Industries, and Dancing Girl Press, and she lives and teaches in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michael Sikkema is the author of Futuring(BlazeVOX), and most recently the chapbooks Autogeography, a collaboration with Jen Tynes (Black Warrior Review), and the forthcoming Wander Rooms and Outside Noise from Grey Book Press.

favored daughter

2012-01-20T13:18:00.000-06:00

My new chapbook, Favored Daughter, has just been released. I am so excited about this one! It is great have my poems in such good company--I am such a fan of Dancing Girl Press and all the wonderful poetry that they publish. Thank you, Kristy!

cover designs and galleys

2012-01-14T19:41:00.002-06:00

So much excitement! I can hardly believe that it is really happening. Will have more to share in the coming months.

this friday

2012-01-09T11:40:00.001-06:00

Riverfront Reading: Poets Megan Kaminski and Wayne Miller
Friday, January 13, 2012
8:00 PM
The Writers Place
3607 Pennsylvania
Kansas City, MO 64111-2820

MEGAN KAMINSKI’S first book of poetry, Desiring Map, is forthcoming from Coconut Books in 2012. She is also the author of three chapbooks, collection, Carry Catastrophe, and Across Soft Ruins. She teaches creative writing at the University of Kansas, where she directs the Creative Writing Exchange and the Undergraduate Reading Series. She also curates the Taproom Poetry Series in downtown Lawrence.

WAYNE MILLER is the author of three collections of poems, The City, Our City, The Book of Props, and Only the Senses Sleep. He is also the translator of Moikom Zego’s I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, and a co-editor of both New European Poets and Tamura Ryuichi: On the Life & Work of a 20th Century Master. He lives in Kansas City and teaches at the University of Central Missouri, where he edits Pleiades: A Journal of New Writing.

little red leaves textile series

2012-01-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

I am happy to announce that my chapbook, Gemology, was one of the chapbooks chosen for publication from the Little Red Leaves Textile Series' open reading period. I am such a fan of this press and the beautiful little books that they make. And I cannot begin to express how honored I am to be in such wonderful company; the Textile Series has published so many of my favorite poets--Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Beverely Dahlen, rob mclennan, just to name a few.

Here's the list of the forthcoming 2012 LRL Textile Series chapbooks. They also have a great deal on subscriptions through their website, if you would like to have some amazing poetry delivered to your door and support a small press.

The Rat Minaret by Mac Wellman
Kate & Sonia by Dan Thomas-Glass
King Queen by Todd Melicker
[Untitled] by Jen Hofer
Ritualists by Brooklyn Copeland
from Fascicle 30 by Brad Vogler
Gemology by Megan Kaminski
Future Occupations by Lee Gough
On Monsters by Elizabeth Robinson
The Terraces by Joe Milazzo
YesYesY by Stephen Nelson
NOTWITHSTANDING by Emily Abendroth
Also stay tuned for new manuscripts from Brenda Iijima, Jared Hayes, Bhanu Kapil, Judith Goldman, and Stacy Kidd.

emily dickinson's coconut cake

2012-01-01T19:15:00.001-06:00

my version of dickinson's coconut cake

So, I also made this over break. Pretty tasty, though I imagine it is hard to go wrong with coconut cake. The recipe yielded light, fluffy and not too sweet results. I stuck to Dickinson's original notations, using the oven temperature and time suggestions here. I'm thinking next time, though, that I might have to try a different sized pan and perhaps a simple citrus glaze/frosting.

Courtesy Poets House/Copyright President and Fellows of Harvard College

christmas tasties

2011-12-26T13:48:00.002-06:00

brunch

dutch pancake with apple & cranberry compote

dinner

scallops a la plancha, butternut squash puree and sauteed spinach and some delicious bubbly, of course

dessert

gingerbread men, my new favorite holiday cocktail (adapted from this recipe)

-1 part vodka

-¾ parts ginger liqueur

-¾ parts frangelico

-½ part simple syrup

-1 part cream

Shake and serve up

some poetry news

2011-12-26T13:11:00.001-06:00

Denise Low ranks my chapbook Carry Catastrophe in this year's best and also has some kind words for my work. Thank you, Denise!

Jim McCrary gives a generous reading of my latest chapbook, Collection (Dusie Kollektiv 2011), over in the new issue of Galatea Resurrects. Thank you, Jim!

And in other exciting news, I am super excited about my forthcoming book, Desiring Map. I saw cover images--yay!--and can hardly wait to for the birth of my first book.

holiday benny

2011-12-18T12:55:00.000-06:00

today: birds, llc

2011-12-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

Birds LLC: December 11th

Justin Marks, Emily Pettit, Sampson Starkweather,

Paige Taggert and Chris Tonelli

+open mic

5pm Sunday December 11th

The Eighth Street Taproom, downtown Lawrence

poetry books of 2011

2011-12-09T13:13:00.000-06:00

My selection of the "Best Books of 2011" is up over on the No Tells Blog. I'm certainly not going to claim that I have listed the best books of 2011. Sadly, I am afraid that there are so many lovely books that I have yet to get to. Additionally, I am sure that I have left some great books that I did read and love off the list. So, after all those disclaimers, here it is: my list of ten wonderful books of poetry from 2011.

dusie!

2011-12-09T08:54:00.001-06:00

I almost forgot to mention that the Dusie Kollektiv 5 is now available online in pdf form. There is a pretty wonderful assortment of poetry chapbooks.

I still have a few paper copies of my chapbook, Collection, available here.

adventskalendar

2011-12-06T09:08:00.000-06:00

I am up at the delirious hem adventskalendar: Day 6, reading "Dim evenings" from my forthcoming book, Desiring Map.

pushcart nomination

2011-12-03T10:53:00.003-06:00

I am happy to report that my essay, "The Politics of Play," has been nominated by Post Road Magazine for a 2012 Pushcart Prize. I am so honored to have my work nominated, especially from such a wonderful journal. Who would have known that an essay about golf, marxism, and being a young woman professor in the midwest would be so popular? I will be keeping my fingers crossed!

P.s. I also have to give a shout-out to Christopher Boucher and all the other wonderful Post Road editors and staff. In addition to putting together an excellent journal, they know how to throw a pretty great party. I had so much fun meeting and hanging out with them at the Leaky Faucet in DC at last year's AWP.

P.s.s. My nomination even earned a shout-out from the local paper.

poetry stuff

2011-12-01T10:17:00.001-06:00

Things have been happening poetry-wise for me in these busy weeks.

Some poems up at the super awesome Everyday Genius.

Some talk about my forthcoming full-length book:
Notes on and a poem from Desiring Map on The Best American Poetry blog
A mention of Desiring Map in The Poetry Foundation's Harriet blog

I am so excited about my book coming out--and the readings I am lining up in support of it. Looks like a some mini book tours are in the works!

I am in lawrence, ks,

2011-11-18T12:11:00.003-06:00

battling a semester-long cough and cold while I try to avoid sinking under the endless stream of student papers and poems. It is less cold here today and still windy and I feel so far away from friends and New York and Berkeley and Oakland and the brave occupiers. So I hide in my house, sniffling into tissues and cooking hearty meals in hope of making us healthy.

mushroom sauteed in red wine over farro

I haven't written much here about the occupations, partly because I feel so far away from everything, both through a lack of proximity and due to being overwhelmed with illness and work. But perhaps the larger issue is not knowing what to say--I am in love; I am heartened; I am worried for the protestors. I am aghast at the public and physical demonstration of the state's lack of regard for the preciousness of life, of individual bodies. The cheers from the Republican debates--for the death penalty and for the refusal to medically treat the uninsured--are enacted on the streets where police beat protesters without provocation. I don't have much more to add right now, so I will stop here. In case you haven't yet, you should read Frank Sherlock's poem "Love Letter November 15," posted by Thom Donovan on his blog.

this weekend

2011-11-16T17:13:00.000-06:00

felt like a blur. So much work to do. Seriously. I did make it into KC on Sunday afternoon for Jordan Stempleman's awesome A Common Sense Reading Series to hear Shanna Compton, Sandra Simonds, and Peter Davis read as part of the Bloof Books Tour. It was a super awesome reading. Sandra even read a yoga poem for me. After the reading, I returned to Lawrence to whip up another tasty meal from one of my new favorite cookbooks (Peter Berley's The Flexitarian Table). We went with the vegetarian option, and I posted the results below. (Note to self: I completely need to start borrowing Scott's somewhat better camera for these posts.)

white beans with brown butter, polenta, and roasted broccoli with parmesan

harissa ravioli and too much to do

2011-11-10T11:52:00.000-06:00

Harissa Ravioli with Broccoli and Almonds

This fall continues to be one of the busiest yet. We've been eating well, though, especially after my friend Jennifer in Portland suggested some awesome vegetarian cookbooks. One of my favorites is Heidi Swanson's super natural every day, which is the source for the delicious ravioli dish pictured above.

so busy

2011-11-01T18:50:00.000-05:00

How busy have I been? So busy that I have not had time to write here or do a myriad of other things I would love to do. Benny and I took a break today before I rushed onto campus for office hours.

salad greens, poached egg, and shallot-sherry warm vinaigrette

recent meals

2011-10-09T15:48:00.002-05:00

pasta with local shitaakes and cherry tomatoes (and a little bit of cream)

dutch pancake: perfect weekend breakast

radicchio pizza with whole wheat crust (recipe from The Kind Diet cookbook)

I've been so busy teaching, putting together readings and other student stuff, and writing (yes--in the middle of a new and exciting project!) that I forgot to post these. The weather is lovely and we are enjoying a well-deserved and desperately needed fall break.

2011-10-05T08:51:00.000-05:00

Il est au-delà de la politique : il pose la question sociale dans sa simple vérité. La révolution qui se prépare depuis plus d’un siècle nous revient.

Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

so many readings...

2011-10-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

John Gallaher

Louise Mathias

KU Undergraduate Reading Series

I organized two readings this last week--they were both wonderful, but the cumulative experience left me exhausted. Looking forward to the next round!

september morning coziness

2011-09-27T09:42:00.000-05:00

pumpkin bread

a gift from a friend: the cutest measuring cups ever

Benjamin cat

undergraduate reading series (tonight!)

2011-09-27T08:29:00.002-05:00

The second season of the KU English Department's Undergraduate Reading Series kicks off Tuesday evening. Fiction and poetry from six talented KU undergraduates.

Undergraduate Reading Series
7pm Tuesday, September 27
Centennial Room, Kansas Union

Featuring:
Kate Colwell
Ben Fishman
Katie Longofono
Abby Otte
Brett Salsbury
Alex Zoubine

louise mathias & john gallaher

2011-09-25T08:28:00.001-05:00

Taproom Poetry Series

Louise Mathias & John Gallaher
+open mic
5pm Sunday September 25th

Eighth Street Taproom

Louise Mathias was born in 1975 in Bedford, England, and grew up in a small village in Suffolk, England, and later, Los Angeles. Her first book, Lark Apprentice, won the 2003 New Issues Poetry Prize, selected by Brenda Hillman, and was published in 2004 by New Issues Press. A chapbook, Above All Else, the Trembling Resembles a Forest, was selected by Martha Ronk for the Burnside Review Chapbook contest, and was published in 2010. Her poems have appeared in journals such as Denver Quarterly, Triquarterly, Massachusetts Review, Crazyhorse, Prairie Schooner, Hunger Mountain, Epoch, Octopus, The Journal, Green Mountains Review, Slope, Verse Daily, and many others. Her second book, The Traps, is forthcoming from Four Way Books. She divides her time between Joshua Tree, California and northern Indiana.

John Gallaher is the author of the books of poetry, Gentlemen in Turbans, Ladies in Cauls, The Little Book of Guesses, winner of the Levis Poetry Prize, and Map of the Folded World, from The University of Akron Press, as well as the free online chapbook, Guidebook from Blue Hour Press, and, with with the poet G.C. Waldrep Your Father on the Train of Ghosts, BOA, 2011. Other than that, he's co-editor of The Laurel Review and GreenTower Press.

thursday benny

2011-09-22T15:24:00.001-05:00

brownie peanut butter cups

2011-09-17T17:29:00.001-05:00

Fight night snackies. Recipe here.

gobi aloo mutter ki subzi

2011-09-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

Last night's dinner (and probably today's, too, given the huge amount of food). No ghee in the house, so I used coconut oil. It's getting chilly here in Lawrence, about 20 degrees below average. Too much work to do, not enough time.

blackberries, a concert, and the end of summer

2011-09-12T10:38:00.001-05:00

It always feels like summer comes to an end once school starts--at least all my free time quickly disappears, giving way to teaching and administrative demands. But yesterday was warm and sunny and I ate some plump blackberries in the afternoon. And today it is supposed to be in the low nineties--long summer? Indian summer? I don't know. Seasons in Kansas perplex me. The summers and winters are so long and my favorites, fall and spring, seem to fly by.

Yesterday was a lovely day. Some tending to the house in the morning, writing poems in the afternoon, and a late afternoon concert at the Spencer Museum--Genaro Mendez and Robert Hiller performing Beethoven, Purcell, Liszt and Tosti. It was the wonderful cap to the weekend. Hopefully, everything will settle down a bit once the initial semester excitement wears off. Looking forward to some more quiet afternoons and the coming of fall.

the grief performance

2011-09-09T15:53:00.000-05:00

In this month's issue of Gently Read Literature:
That Very What-ness: Megan Kaminski reviews Emily Kendal Frey’s The Grief Performance

summer reading list retired

2011-09-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it is technically fall, yet. But I am going to call summer complete. Especially since the high temperatures are finally in the 70s and I am recovering from my first (and let us hope only) cold of the season.

Es Verdad, Jim McCrary
Dearest Creature, Amy Gerstler
Hunting is Painting, Jessica Savitz
Well Then There Now, Juliana Spahr
Philosphiae consolatio, Boethius
The Botanical Garden, Ellen Welcker
(a poem-essay, or precursor: NOTES: for a novel: Ban en Banlieues, Bhanu Kapil
About a Mountain, John D'Agata
The Interior Distance, Georges Poulet
The Friction of Distance, Nicole Zdeb
Carmina Burana
Bluets, Maggie Nelson
The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls
The Geography of the Imagination, Guy Davenport
Jane, Maggie Nelson
Killarnoe, Sonnet L'Abbé
Lead and Tether, Jen Hofer
Open Road, Carla Harryman & Lyn Hejinian
(made), Cara Benson
Molecularity, Chris Pusateri
Treatise on Elegant Living, Honore de Balzac
La Comédie humaine, Honoré de Balzac

desiring map

2011-09-05T14:15:00.001-05:00

I am excited to announce that Coconut Books will be publishing Desiring Map, my first full-length book of poetry, in 2012. It will be out in time for a release at AWP in Chicago. Other authors with books coming out from Coconut next year: Jenny Boully, Angela Veronica Wong, Molly Brodak, and Emily Toder. So happy to be in such wonderful company!

S17

2011-08-30T11:37:00.001-05:00

more information

taproom poetry

2011-08-29T22:59:00.001-05:00

Thank you everyone for making the August reading so magical! It was great to see so many people come out for the event. Thank you to all the readers, the Eighth Street Taproom, and my wonderful co-conspirators, Sorcha & Jim. Looking forward to September already--which will bring Louise Mathias, John Gallaher, and some wonderful fall weather!

The crowd. I apologize for the lack of focus.

Jim introducing the open mic readers.

fall inspiration: dries van noten

2011-08-26T09:48:00.001-05:00

Loving the silky draping, graphic lines, rich colors, jacquards, and brocades. A dream fall wardrobe.

taproom poetry

2011-08-24T18:42:00.005-05:00

http://taproompoetry.blogspot.com/

It's almost time for the August incarnation of the Taproom Reading Series. This month we are featuring a Lawrence Literary Sampler. As usual, we will get things started with a open mic session; for this reading, bring your best heat-themed poetry. Then we will move on to our featured readers, all of whom will be responding to the prompt of the month: Heat. So, join us for a celebration of the Lawrence writing community and the end of summer.
<3 Megan, Sorcha & Jim

Darren Canady, Joseph Harrington, Kate Lorenz

and Denise Low

5pm Sunday August 28th

Darren Canady’s work has been seen at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, the Alliance Theatre, the Quo Vadimus Arts’ ID America Festival, the Fremont Centre Theatre, Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre, and the BE Company. He was a 2006-7 fellow in the Juilliard School's Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program, and is currently a member of Primary Stages’ Dorothy Strelsin New Writers Group. He is also a member of the Old Vic Theatre’s Old Vic New Voices Network, where he participated in the 2010 T.S. Eliot US/UK Exchange. He currently teaches playwriting at the University of Kansas.

Joseph Harrington is the author of Things Come On: an amneoir (Wesleyan Univ. Press 2011), a Rumpus magazine Poetry Book Club selection; earth day suite (Beard of Bees 2010); and Poetry and the Public (Wesleyan 2002). His creative work also has appeared in Hotel Amerika, No Tell Motel, 1913, BathHouse, Otoliths, Fact-Simile, and Tarpaulin Sky, among others. He teaches at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Kate Lorenz is the editor of Parcel. Her work has been published in the Denver Quarterly and Everyday Genius, and by Blue Hour Press and Small Fires Press.

Denise Low, Kansas poet laureate 2007-2009, is AWP board president. Her latest book of poetry and prose won a Kansas Notable Book Award and was named one of the best 10 Native American books of 2010 by Circle of Minneapolis.

puerto del sol

2011-08-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

My poems are also appearing in the new issue of Puerto del Sol.

I arrived home late last night after a long day of traveling to find a lovely stack of poetry: With+Stand, SERIES, Carrie Hunter's Dusie chapbook Poetry Reading, and the latest UDP subscription shipment. What pleasant welcome back.

bone bouquet

2011-08-17T10:01:00.000-05:00

Bone Bouquet, the lovely journal edited by Krystal Languell, has a new issue out, and I am delighted to be included in its ranks.

2.2 CONTRIBUTORS

Rosa Alcalá
Kimberly Alidio
Cynthia Arrieu-King
Sarah Bridgins
Trina Burke
Rachel Busnardo
Marisa Crawford
Daniel Coudriet & Mariela Méndez
Shira Dentz
Dana Inez
Megan Kaminski
Becca Klaver
Natalie Lyalin
Gina Myers
Eileen Myles
Daniela Olszewska
Emily Pettit
Deborah Poe
Michelle Taransky
Danielle Vogel
Suzanne Wise
Lila Zemborain

congratulations!

2011-07-24T17:47:00.001-05:00

photo: Mylan Cannon/The New York Times

Congratulations, Phyllis and Connie! And to all the other newlyweds! This is has been too long in coming; here's to hoping that the rest of the country (and the federal government) follows suit.

miscellaneous poetry

2011-07-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

A cool feature today on Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop, which is run by cool two poets, Farah Field and Jared White. What an awesome idea.

Also, my friend Dan has posted a great list of online poetry resources here. I'd also add No Tell Motel, Coconut Poetry and EOAGH to that list, especially with their extensive archives.

Blake Butler has a terrific post over on HTML Giant about submitting writing for publication. Definitely something to show students eager to publish.

Support Les Figues new project: I'll Drown My Book: Conceptual Writing by Women

And don't forget take advantage of this great subscription deal from Dancing Girl Press.

beet, arugula, and goat cheese salad

2011-07-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

So good.

heard you were coming so i baked a cake

2011-07-18T18:31:00.002-05:00

The heat wave continues here in Kansas, which means the air conditioner is constantly running. At least we are hiding out from the heat with friends later this evening. Some picpoul, a blackberry buttermilk cake, good conversation--what could be nicer.

aldon nielsen and crystal boson

2011-07-16T11:31:00.002-05:00

Join us for a NEW Reading Series at the Eighth Street Taproom.
Featured Guest Poets this month include: ALDON NIELSEN and CRYSTAL BOSON

Aldon Nielsen is a poet and critic, and will be reading from his new chapbook Mantic Semantic (Hanks Orginal Loose Gravel Press, 2011). He has published five collections of poetry, most recently Mixage (Zasterle Press, 2006), and five volumes of critical work. He was the first winner of the La...rry Neal Award for poetry and has received two Gertrude Stein Awards for innovative poetry. Nielsen is the George and Barbara Kelly Professor of American Literature in the Pennsylvania State University 's Department of English. He divides his time between Pennsylvania and California.

Crystal Boson is fascinated by Hoodoo, Black Sci-fi, roller derby, food mills, and bacon. She has been previously published in Callaloo, Pank, Chroma, The Black Bottom and has a chapbook, The Icarus Series, with Seven Kitchens Press. When not writing poetry about Texas, bar fights, or existential love, she is a Ph.D. student in American Studies at the University of Kansas. Crystal holds both a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature, from the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University respectively. She currently resides in Lawrence, KS with her macbook, a basil plant named Lazarus and her Decemberists cds.

Additionally, the reading will include an open mic portion, which would be a great opportunity for any poets to share their work or generally "out-speak".

Yours,
Megan Kaminski, Jim McCrary & Sorcha Hyland
Taproom Poetry Series

yucatecan corn & the summer of saison continues

2011-07-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

From Mark Bittman's summer salad list:
39. Yucatecan street food as salad: Roast fresh corn kernels in a pan with a little oil; toss with cayenne or minced chilis, lime juice and a little queso fresco. Cherry tomatoes are optional.

And my little Saison tour continues.

spiced peach carrot bread

2011-07-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

Celebrating the recent appearance of peaches at the market, I decided to make this breakfast bread. I used a recipe from this month's Southern Living (I cannot help it; I am still a Virginian at heart, perhaps). Anyway, it is really good, and highly recommended if you are into that sort of thing.

All this cooking and baking is also a good sign regarding my work. I am not sure exactly why, but doing a lot of writing and other writing work seems to coincide with the desire to bake. Maybe it is because I am being a bit of a homebody lately, hanging out in my little studio, or maybe it is because I am feeling all creative. Who knows? At least I am eating well.

linguine alla carbonara

2011-07-07T13:03:00.000-05:00

Linguine alla carbonara: farmer's market eggs, la quercia pancetta americana, parsley from the garden, parmesan, a touch of white wine, and some linguine from the store (too busy to make my own).

Sauteed local squash and baby onions.

sand

2011-07-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Some beautiful pictures of magnified sand. I really miss the ocean.

the 4th of july & ardha chandra chapasana

2011-07-04T11:19:00.004-05:00

What better way to celebrate the 4th than with some yoga? Seriously, the 4th of July has never been one of my favorite holidays...all that noise from fireworks, pageants of rabid patriotism (which are apparently dangerous for your children), and drunks with fireworks (scary). As a kid, the 4th was always a mildly traumatic holiday. Lest I only focus its negative aspects, I must admit that as an adult I've come to appreciate the holiday's various good qualities: sparklers, cookouts with friends, the excuse to eat various sketchy meat products, and the opportunity to appreciate a time when rational people had a greater impact on the running of the country. Enough on the holiday, though, I do have some plans later this evening and they do not include explosives.

photo from yoga journal

Inspired by the Baron Baptiste master class feature in the current Yoga Journal, I decided to play around with ardha chandra chapasana this morning. It's a variation on ardha chandrasana, or half moon pose. I still need to work a little more on opening up my hip completely, but I love the chest opening from the slight back bend. I'm kind-of a back bend junky, though, especially in the morning and when the weather is warm. Anyway, the Baptiste's sequence is worth checking out if you need some inspiration. I used as the core for a longer practice today, and found an almost blissful happiness when meditating in the sunshine afterward. I'll have to keep playing with the pose as the summer wears on.

farmers market frittata

2011-07-02T21:02:00.000-05:00

A frittata made from farmer's market finds, garden spoils and leftovers from the fridge. From the market: eggs (they were adorable and tiny) and onions. From the garden: parsley and basil. And from the fridge: gorgonzola, spinach and half a tomato. And one of my summer favorites, Saison Dupont, to complete the meal.

new poems

2011-07-02T08:51:00.001-05:00

I have a few poems out in the new issue of American Letters & Commentary. They are part of a special feature of long poems and series of poems. And to be a bit nerdy, I am really excited about it. AL&C has been one of my first favorite journals since I was a young poet, so I cannot convey how delighted I am to have my poems included within its pages--completely nerdy, I know. I can't help it.

in solidarity with the prisoners at pelican bay

2011-07-01T15:38:00.001-05:00

http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/

reviewed

2011-06-20T09:02:00.001-05:00

Chris Pusateri reviews my new chapbook, Collection.

Thank you, Chris!

vamos!

2011-06-16T22:36:00.000-05:00

Benny's new favorite song.

gallo pinto

2011-06-11T17:09:00.002-05:00

This one is a classic. I've always thought of gallo pinto as a traditional Costa Rican dish, but other countries also claim it as their own. No worries. The important thing is that it is tasty, cheap, healthy and easy. Gallo pinto (painted rooster) is a dish named to hide the fact that there is no actual meat it, with the story being that the host makes gallo pinto hoping to fool her guests into believing that the dish contains chicken--that the richness of flavor and speckled appearance will provide the trick.

Pinto Gallo
1 onion
1 bell pepper (preferably red, but you can see that I had to improvise)
4 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons Salsa Lizano (or Worcestershire sauce)
2 cups black beans (cooked)
bean broth
1 cup white rice (cooked)
cilantro (optional)

Saute onion and pepper in coconut oil for about 10 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
Add beans, broth and Salsa Lizano. Cook for a few minutes, but do not let mixture dry out.
Add rice. Stir. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

fund education, not prisons

2011-06-08T20:25:00.001-05:00

Governor Brownback, take note. Could this be a model for community action in Kansas?

collection

2011-06-05T14:48:00.008-05:00

My new chapbook of poetry, collection from dusie kollektiv, is now out and about in the world. It's filled with poems of financial collapse, mortgage crisis, unemployment and collection agencies come to repossess. I promise they are more fun than they sound.

Copies are available to Lawrencians at the wonderful Raven Bookstore. For those living elsewhere, I would be happy to send you a copy myself; I will even sign it if you are nice. You can order here.

spring reading list retired

2011-06-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure that summer has technically started, but it feels that way to me. I've moved on to summer reading and writing and enjoying the days--all without the school year barrage of student emails, student writing, and tedious correspondences. Sadly, the brevity of my spring reading list reflects how extremely busy this last semester was for me. Anyway, that is all in the past. Onward!

A Model Year, Gina Myers
The Grief Performance, Emily Kendall Frey
Looking Up Harryette Mullen. Barbara Henning
Pink & Hot Pink Habitat, Natalie Lyalin
On the Cusp of a Dangerous Year, Lee Ann Roripaugh
the loss letters, Ming Holden & Bronwen Tate
The Winter Sun, Fanny Howe
PO DOOM, Jim McCrary
post * cards :: Lafayette á Lafayette, Marthe Reed and j/j hastain
Acquiescence, Lynn Behrendt
Ten Walks/Two Talks, Jon Cotner and Andy Fitch
The Kind Diet, Alicia Silverstone

my birthday

2011-05-31T23:03:00.000-05:00

It comes around every year, and today is the day. And for you, a birthday song from my childhood. Oh how I used to (and still do) love this song.

enjoying the view

2011-05-30T22:11:00.001-05:00

Couldn't resist posting this picture of Benny enjoying one of his favorite pastimes: observing the local wildlife.

memorial day pizza

2011-05-30T22:08:00.000-05:00

We decided to take it easy this memorial day. Spent the morning and afternoon working on some poems and then made some pizza for dinner. The poems are going well, but the pizza didn't turn out quite as expected.

I adapted Mark Bittman's pizza dough recipe, but with the substitution of whole wheat flour and probably too much cornmeal the crust wasn't quite as light and crispy as usual. I did proof the yeast beforehand, though, so at least I know that's not the problem. Will try some different variations and report back. While I didn't find perfection in the crust, the pizza overall was pretty awesome--topped with leftover red sauce, shiitakes, mozzarella and gorgonzola. And do you see the bowl of arugula? It's one of the first real harvests from this year's bunny afflicted garden.

Also, an interesting article from David W. Blight on the origins of Memorial Day.

new york poetry reading

2011-05-29T11:23:00.001-05:00

Here are a few photos of me reading from my new chapbook at the Boog City presents Coconut Books reading. The evening was filled with great poetry, art, and camaraderie. So happy to have been a part of the event!

new york, new york

2011-05-27T22:30:00.001-05:00

Elaine's last night with my lady Anne

gorgeous saturday

2011-05-21T14:05:00.003-05:00

It is an incredibly beautiful day. The sun is shining; there's a light breeze; and it is just warm enough open all the windows in the house to let the day in. A perfect day for reading outside or taking an afternoon nap.

I started the day with a morning run and then a visit to the farmers market. The bunnies have so far managed to ravage my garden this year, but, happily, I was able to stock up on some spinach and kale. We even picked up some wild mushrooms and some grass-fed beef from a local rancher.

While my garden is not quite going according to plan, there are some staples that continue to flourish. The herb garden looks great and I picked some lavender flowers to make some cookies. They aren't the prettiest, but they taste pretty good.

My improvised recipe:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
dash of salt
2 tablespoons lavender buds

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, vanilla, and milk. Gradually add flour and salt. Mix in lavender. Wrap in wax paper (in a roll). Chill for 1 hour. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350.

new york city

2011-05-20T09:11:00.004-05:00

Boog City presents

d.a. levy lives: celebrating the renegade press

Coconut Books

This Tues., May 24, 6:00 p.m. sharp, free

ACA Galleries

529 W. 20th St., 5th Flr.

NYC

Event will be hosted by
Coconut Books editor
Bruce Covey

Featuring readings from

Jessica Beyer
Jenna Cardinale
Bruce Covey
Kimiko Hahn
Megan Kaminski
Amy Lemmon
Lee Ann Roripaugh

and music from

Jeremiah Birnbaum of The Ramblers

There will be wine, cheese, and crackers, too.
Curated and with an introduction by Boog City editor David Kirschenbaum

knitted city

2011-05-19T09:32:00.003-05:00

Photo: Olek by way of NYTimes

Not so interested in the NYTimes' belated coverage of "Graffiti's Cozy, Feminine Side"--and what's with the article title? I do love the accompanying photos, though, and attention it pays to these awesome pieces of art. Some more here: Olek and Magda Sayeg.

2011-05-18T10:06:00.002-05:00

"I walk down a busy street and every face has completed its task, and is walking from that completion toward the future I represent, my present. I look at you coming and I see you rising out of your ended tasks and I must touch you in passing, must kiss your cheeks as we both disappear into each other's trail."

Fanny Howe, from The Winter Sun: Notes on a Vocation

summer break

2011-05-17T14:15:00.002-05:00

I am super enjoying the end of the semester. Still waiting on a few last details, but yesterday I pretty much finished up grading and wrapped up the final bits of the semester. Today, I celebrate my freedom. I did yoga in the morning, went on a run before lunch, prepared a great lunch by oven roasting the leftover grape tomatoes and tossing them with whole wheat spaghetti, toasted pine nuts, and some basil from the garden. I even had a little glass of leftover Garnacha with lunch. I have been reading some Fanny Howe and thinking about my current writing project and may even take a nap later this afternoon. I sorted out my closet to remove work clothes for the summer and make way for more sundresses. I love love love summer break.

end of the semester

2011-05-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

This past Wednesday was my last day of classes for the semester. We ended the afternoon with a fantastic and well-attended reading (standing room only!) featuring my Poetry Writing II students. I'm always impressed by the end-of-semester reading; it's great to hear how everyone's work comes together, and it is always sad to see everyone go.

hummingbird cupcakes

2011-05-14T09:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was cold and blustery, so I made some spring cupcakes to raise our spirits. I even found some edible flowers at the market to use for decorations.

chapbook lovelies

2011-05-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

my poetry classes' experiments with self publishing yielded some beautiful chapbooks

mochi and greens

2011-05-10T18:13:00.000-05:00

today's lunch

student poetry anthology

2011-05-10T13:41:00.001-05:00

Hot off the presses! Ink House, an anthology of student work from my Poetry Writing II class at KU.

Featuring work by: Emily Anderson, Alexander Brammer, Chance Carmichael, Anna Creaden, Billy Griffin, Garret Griffin, Katie Longofono, Jonathan Metzger, Brittany Pierpoint, Kyle Reid, Brett Salsbury, Amanda Sorell, Carrie Swim, Aaron Whitebread and Alexei Zoubine

It was a lot of fun to see all the great writing from workshop this semester get collected into a single volume. If you are interested in checking it out, it can be ordered from Lulu for a mere $5.

arKansas on ad astra

2011-05-09T14:15:00.001-05:00

The student writing exchange that I put together this year between KU and the University of Central Arkansas received some attention from Becky Sullivan of Ad Astra Radio on KJHK. If you missed the original airing, you can check it out in the archives (the ArKansas portion starts around 30:43). I also heard rumors that some of the extra footage from interviews and student readings might be posted later.

kentucky oaks

2011-05-07T08:24:00.000-05:00

Some of the action from yesterday. We are off to the races again today.

chocolate peanut butter cups

2011-04-28T13:20:00.000-05:00

I love reese's peanut butter cups, but if you look at the ingredient list, it's kind-of scary. So, partly out of curiosity and partly as a present for S, I decided to try out Alicia Silverstone's vegan recipe. The are exceptionally tasty, and I highly recommend the recipe, as well as the rest of her great cookbook.

zaza!

2011-04-24T20:36:00.001-05:00

dear couz,

can't wait until you are back from your suspension.

p.s. dwight totally deserved it.

farmers market dinner

2011-04-23T20:04:00.001-05:00

A lovely feast from our farmers market finds: delicious young kale, shiitakes, and some heritage wild rice/brown rice blend (not from the market). A delicious way to relax after spending the afternoon at the Kansas Relays--goodness, there were some fast races!

lawrence in the spring

2011-04-23T11:32:00.001-05:00

photo: John Young, LJW

It's been a busy work week, but we've had a little fun, too. The photo above is of the long jump, which was one of two Kansas Relays events that took place downtown. I hope they keep this up next year--it was a lot of fun. Also hoping to check out some more of the relays today.

In less good news, the bunnies are really going at my garden this year. They have devastated the chard and the italian parsley. The marigolds aren't looking too good, either. I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope that they do not decimate the entire thing. At least the farmers market is in full swing; we picked up some kale, some shiitakes, and some jam and honey earlier this morning.

visiting poets

2011-04-19T09:50:00.001-05:00

Bruce and Lee taking audience questions after the reading

Bruce Covey and Lee Ann Roripaugh spent the last couple of days in Lawrence. They gave a fantastic reading last evening at the Spencer Museum of Art to a crowd of sixty-some people. Earlier in the day, demonstrating an impressive generosity and level of energy, they visited with three of my classes and spoke with my poetry students for a combined 4+ hours about the craft of poetry, their own work, and the larger writing community. It was wonderful to have such good friends and poets in town, and to get to share them with my students, the University, and the larger Lawrence writing community.

random goodness on monday morning

2011-04-18T09:10:00.001-05:00

A helpful guide to living with your philosopher. Pretty funny.

My latest beauty find: nontoxic nail polish at Scotch Naturals. Highly recommended. And they even have a line for kiddies. Today's color: Whisper

Today's breakfast feast. Really, only because we have house guests. Breakfast feasts and a full day of teaching typically don't go together so well.

Reviving her style, even in the heartland.

My new favorite style blog: Tomboy Style.

bruce covey and lee ann roripaugh: today!

2011-04-18T07:32:00.000-05:00

bike weather

2011-04-16T13:00:00.000-05:00

So perfect for the spring and summer. Thanks to {wit + delight} for the heads up.

arKansas exchange

2011-04-16T10:30:00.005-05:00

I am proud to report that the exchange events yesterday were a success. Despite cold temperatures and gusty wind, we had a great turnout at both events. The students gave strong readings at Nunemaker Center in the afternoon. The event felt like a wonderful sequel to the early March student reading in Conway, Arkansas. It was great to see the real camaraderie that has developed between the two sets of students, even over such geographic and cultural distance.

After the reading we all feasted at The Burger Stand and then moved on to the Lawrence Arts Center for the evening event. The writers, Laura Moriarty, Garry Craig Powell, and John Vanderslice, read their work to a packed gallery, which was festively decked out in art from the LAC's preschool artists (all set at preschool sight-level). After the reading, they entertained various questions on their work and the craft of fiction from the audience.

All and all, I cannot even express how happy I am--that the event went so well, and to be a part of such a wonderful community, in Lawrence and at the University. A big thank you to everyone who came out and participated!

friday

2011-04-14T17:05:00.001-05:00

It is going to be a busy day tomorrow--the student exchange reading in the afternoon and Laura Moriarty, Garry Craig Powell, and John Vanderslice in the evening. If you are in town, try to swing by. I can promise lots of great writing!

farewell, manny

2011-04-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

ridiculous things that i secretly want

2011-04-07T10:31:00.000-05:00

for lounging in the garden, entertaining friends, and drinking cocktails

*dresses and jumper from paul and joe, spring 2011

undergraduate reading series

2011-04-06T08:26:00.006-05:00

The second event of the Undergraduate Reading Series is tonight. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and humor from seven talented undergraduates.

KU Undergraduate Reading Series
7:30pm Wednesday, April 6th
English Room, Kansas Union

Featuring:
Alex Bergin, Bethany Christiansen, Elliott Krause, Katie Longofono, Alex Nichols, Abbey Strusz, and Justin Wilson

ridiculous things that i secretly want

2011-04-05T10:50:00.001-05:00

pretty owl. my current watch is busted (actually just needs a battery replaced) and now i have my eye on this guy, who was recently unveiled in basel by chopard. sure, he certainly costs way more than my annual income, perhaps more than my house, but he has two dials (and they are in his eyes!)--which means two time zones. seriously, though, he is very very pretty. ahh, if only to have the bank account of a russian oligarch.

hair fashion

2011-03-29T10:27:00.002-05:00

It's still cold and miserable here, but I am thinking about spring despite all of this--and particularly thinking about spring fashion and strangely, for me at least, about hair. I'm in love with I Love Factory hats , especially this awesome peacock/mermaid adornment worn by lovely Tavi.

And I'm also considering, perhaps more seriously, some of these "easy hairstyles," now that my hair is finally long enough to do strange and awesome things to it. Especially loving these odd disheveled braids, as modeled by Bette Franke at the Rag and Bone show.

casual dinner with friends

2011-03-27T14:40:00.002-05:00

Spring break wasn't much of a break for me this year. I graded papers, commented upon student poems, met with students about their theses, read through many writing contest entries, did some poetry housekeeping (but not much writing, sadly), and did some catch-up spring cleaning.

Last evening, however, I finally did something fun--we had some friends over for dinner.
I took a couple of hours off from working to make some tasty food: a gorgonzola and potato tart, beets with roasted pine-nuts and feta, a big green salad, and poached pears for dessert. Not the most elegant menu, but it was just the thing for an unseasonably cold March evening.

Good company and good food--all in all a lovely evening.

ahh...maui

2011-03-25T10:02:00.000-05:00

Photographs by Tom Sewell for The Wall Street Journal

I am so smitten with Maui after our recent trip there, especially the less populated places near Hana. When we were visiting, I thought about W.S. Merwin, his poems, and the stories I heard about him living on a gorgeous patch of land somewhere on the island. Well, his house near Haiku is featured in the WSJ today, if you are curious.

winter reading list retired

2011-03-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

now that it is finally spring!

Winter 2010/2011

The Wide Road, Lyn Hejinian and Carla Harryman
Drafts, Rachel Blau DuPlessis
Ventrakl, Christian Hawkey
Memory Cards: Ashbery Series, Susan M. Schultz
Marquee, William Allegrezza
(made), Cara Benson
Nicole C. (Apartment 4), Jennifer H. Fortin
the science seemed so solid, Betsy Fagin
leaves fall leaves, Dawn Pendergast
Ecology Without Nature, Timothy Morton
I & We, Joseph Wood
Frame Structures, Susan Howe
Elegy, Mary Jo Bang
The History of Violets, Marosa Di Giorgio, trans. Jeannine Marie Pitas
Watercycle, Scott Sweeney
This Time We Are Both, Clark Coolidge
Megaprairieland, Elisabeth Workman
The Temple, George Herbert
the silver book, Jen Bervin
Lula, 11
AREA, Marcella Durand
The Network, Jena Osman
Black-Eyed Heifer, Shelly Taylor
Try a Little Time Travel, Natalie Lyalin
I Curse the River of Time, Per Petterson

recovering

2011-03-14T20:55:00.005-05:00

Unsurprisingly, I suppose, with numerous students coming to my classes in the throes of colds and flus (how many times do I have to say "you will not be penalized for missing class due to illness"), I succumbed to illness. After wasting the end of the week and weekend (I have a lot of my own work to catch up on) laying on the couch and sleeping in bed, I decided to help spring myself back to health with some sauteed kale and garlic and an amazing rice pilaf with caramelized onions from my new favorite healthy eats cookbook.

Dinner was amazing and I am back in the middle of a crazy busy week of teaching and writing and organizing all sorts of things.

class warfare

2011-03-11T10:23:00.004-06:00

It's important to remember who is really under attack:

graphic: Center for American Progress

"A transparent budget process approach should be instituted now given the enormity of the budget challenge. It makes no sense to eviscerate safety-net supports when billions in unnecessary tax entitlements can be cut to preserve these important and socially responsible federal expenditures. Congress must face up to the cold hard fact that it’s time to make the tough choice to end tax entitlements—such as the one for “NASCAR racing facilities”—so federal funding for critical items such as child-nutrition programs are spared."

back in town

2011-03-07T10:24:00.000-06:00

Conway was lovely, and we had an incredible time at the exchange events and the ArkaText Festival. Will report more in the next few days. For now, though, you will just have to make due with this photo of me in Toad Suck Square.

arkansas awaits

2011-03-01T11:10:00.004-06:00

Photograph by Peter Essick

Soon I will be on my way to Conway, Arkansas, for the ArKansas Student Writing Exchange (my pet project and an extension of last year's Hawk and Tide Exchange). I'm excited about the exchange and the ArkaText Literary Arts Festival--I'll be reading poetry on Thursday evening, so if you are in the area, come out and see me. And, as you can probably tell from the photo (borrowed from National Geographic), I am also super excited about exploring the Ozarks a bit on the drives down and back. It looks like spring has finally arrived, for real this time, and I have a little bit of wanderlust. I'm looking forward to exploring a region of the country that I don't know much about.

(made)

2011-02-26T09:56:00.012-06:00

Fawn, love. Nighttime is for touch. Milk neck. Cotton belly. Ocean, ocean.

Draped lace words, scarlet. Grant light.

Glass

I love this book. The syntax, the language and its inherent music, and the exploration of what it means to be human. Possibilities in the "made" world.

surviving the snow season

2011-02-25T10:27:00.003-06:00

We received a few more inches of snow last evening. Really, I am sick of this weather. So today I am just tucking in to enjoy some reading, writing, and domesticity. Actually, I have a few snowy poems to write, so I can't in good conscious complain about the recent dusting--despite the fact that I am aching for spring.

Last night, though, some friends braved the wind and snow to come over for dinner. I really think that this is the way to survive long winters--with friends and good food and lots of wine. I didn't take any pictures of the food, only the aftermath and the snowy whiteness glowing through the windows this morning.

days of heaven

2011-02-23T14:09:00.001-06:00

Continuing with the prairie theme, we watched this last night. A gorgeous movie.

The farmer's house on the plains reminded me of the sense I had of the Stephen F. Jone's limestone house on the Flint Hills Prairie Reserve, despite the fact that they don't much resemble each other. It's more about the sense of space and scale. But maybe it's just my coastal eyes talking. I am so unfamiliar with this landscape that it all astonishes me.