Welcome to my web home!

Poetry. Visual Art. Random thoughts.

What I've been WRiting...

Milwaukee Morning
 
As night fizzles into dawn,
the tavern’s stucco skin
seems to froth with amber light.
 
The barkeep squats to his coolers
to skate bottle after bottle
onto metal dew-coated shelves.
 
The clink and jangle of his work
ornament the air as if he’s stirring
petals of sea glass.
 
Coins stutter onto the scarred oak counter
as his wife shuffles and stacks them
into drifting towers of silver.
 
His daughter steeps the stiff fronds
of her dry mop in a bucket of soapy water.
Suds splash its tin shore.

what editors say ...

You have a lovely, clear voice that rings true for the reader.

I love this poem. My girlfriend and I will only wear black when we eat out.

-- Michelle Hartman, Editor of Red River Review

Your poems show a side of and take an angle on Ritual that is unique among our submissions, and we think they would be an excellent addition to the Issue.

-- Troy Payne, Editor of Lantern Journal

These concrete details are lovely; their settings stronger still. Your understanding of how to move a piece forward, how to give it motion, is a true strength.

-- Judge from Sustainable Arts Foundation

Thanks for sending us your work, and we’ll be very pleased to include it in one of our poetry issues.    I’m thrilled to be able to include your work.

-- Dr. Christopher Todd Anderson, Guest Poetry Editor, The Midwest Quarterly

wHAT i'VE BEEN DOING...

I've been mixing nutrient dense cocktails! I jumped on the smoothie wagon and feel better than ever. Nine veggies in one gulp! I still prefer a good pinot grigio but that's my night cap. 

What I've Been Stitching...

I'm Collecting Wisdom!

I'm collecting the wisdom daughters have received from their mothers. Then I'm stitching the wisdom on vintage handkerchiefs and I'm still not sure where it will take me but it's fun to do while I listen to a Great Course about How to Write Creative Non-Fiction. Shoot me a line from YOUR mother. Here's one I started stitching...

what readers say ...

Lyrical and sensitive …

-- Jayshree M. Tripathi

I really enjoyed this uplifting poem which celebrates the power of the perfect shoe.

-- Pamela Newham

I love this, and I really relate to the torn feelings you so eloquently shared.

-- Stephanie Gagos