tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140263052011-04-21T17:03:37.609-07:00The occasional ramblings of a Columbus, Ohio poet.Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-28914284555966552112011-03-22T21:16:00.001-07:002011-03-22T21:18:01.558-07:00

So... I had someone approach me at a poetry reading out of town recently. He mentioned this blog, and I realized how very long it's been since I did any blogging. Perhaps it's time I get back to posting now and then. Hope there will be someone out there reading.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-32896298808013067712008-05-15T22:22:00.001-07:002008-05-15T22:22:43.616-07:00

Wow! I just realized how long it's been since I blogged about anything. I've been so distracted.First of all, it's not like me at all to write journal after journal for the whole world to read. But beyond that, I've been swimming upstream for months now, against the current, trying to keep my head above water since I seem to be lacking in the gills department. Life is turning around for the

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-79775571633528257772007-09-27T17:49:00.000-07:002007-09-27T17:58:44.408-07:00

Wow! What a great time we had reading last night at Kent State Stark campus. The Enormous Room turned out to be a library conference room. Nice turnout. GREAT audience.We think of enormous as a spacial reference... the size of a room, or a vase, or a lake-front home. The enormity of this reading space lies in the receptivity, interest, and openness of the hearts and minds of young people who

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-40980269246934202482007-08-09T07:10:00.000-07:002007-08-09T07:17:41.463-07:00

National Poetry Slam. Austin, Texas. I wake up today and realize it's probably going to be pivotal for us. Lots of teams coming into today's preliminary rounds determined and hungry for a win. With a second-place showing in our first bout on Tuesday night, we're sitting in 19th place. This is one night we will have to hang onto the ropes with our hands, feet, and teeth to keep from getting

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1170209661222453282007-01-30T18:12:00.000-08:002007-01-30T18:14:21.273-08:00

Yes! Suddenly I'm getting multiple poems per week (which will come as a great surprise to those who know me!). It really is a new year. Riding to work on COTA gives me an extra hour or so each day to let my mind just relax. Poems have sprung from this new experience!

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1168396632090612312007-01-09T18:32:00.000-08:002007-01-09T18:37:12.230-08:00

Pudding House Publications presents: SALON 2007 Monthly read-around, feedback, interactive critique. Every month, in the banquet room of a restaurant in east Columbus, a diverse group of thinking people meets to eat, breathe, drink, sculpt, hammer and polish poetry. We work on craft, presentation, voice and style, persona, place, voice and content, freewriting, seed poems, how to become

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1164096852254004632006-11-20T23:59:00.000-08:002006-11-21T00:14:12.266-08:00

Last Friday night was a fun time. I went to the "New Poems Only Open Mic" at Kafe Kerouac. Had to pick up my daughter from work right at 8:00, so I ran a little late getting there. Would have missed the open mic altogether were it not for the graciousness of MC Scott Woods. (Thanks, Scott!) Not sure it was worth extending the night to hear a couple of crappy poems I was testing. Thank

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1162668005549072262006-11-04T11:11:00.000-08:002006-11-04T11:20:05.550-08:00

At the end of the street--there, under that yellow glow of streetlight buzz, that shadow you saw in the day now void where an entity should be--THERE is that doubt you wrestled with years ago, coming back to haunt you now. What will you do when you meet it? Shake its hand and take it home with you, or walk past it like you've never seen it before? It is full of the rank mistruths you told

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1162667469129772592006-11-04T11:09:00.000-08:002006-11-04T11:11:09.140-08:00

There's this strange dynamic going on in local Poetry right now. So many active venues and so few consistently active poets seems to be leading to factions. Odd juxtapositions of personalities. I sat in a local slam recently, and it felt like I was at Nats again, with most of the tables from Columbus and some foreign team hittin the stage. It was quite obvious who was welcome and who was not,

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1154883900104484392006-08-06T09:53:00.000-07:002006-08-06T10:05:00.133-07:00

Realized today how much I've been neglecting my poetry blog site, so here goes:Been reading at Writer's Block and Brown Stone as usual. These two venues offer an ever-changing dynamic. If you're a writer in Columbus, Ohio, you must visit at least one of them. Visit the calendar page at www.puddinghouse.com for listings of poetry events in Columbus.Former national team members squared off

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1151792988588670242006-07-01T15:27:00.000-07:002006-07-01T15:29:48.600-07:00

Ran across an interesting blog/information site today: yourquestion.org. I highly recommend it to all my writer friends. Tune youself in to the pulse of issues around the world that we seldom hear about in mass-media news. It was an eye opener for me.http://yourquestion.orgMaybe a few thinking people CAN actually affect the attitudes of political strutures around the world.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1150816793674295042006-06-20T08:13:00.000-07:002006-06-20T08:19:53.676-07:00

Stephanie Matthews commissioned several poets to produce poems for inclusion with works in her upcoming photography exhibit: A Life Cycle in Movements, Tribute to Dance & Expressionism. Her show is scheduled to open Sunday, July 9 at Jung Haus Gallery, 59 West Third Avenue here in Columbus. Amazing, BEAUTIFUL photos.Two out of three of my assigned works complete. Third maybe. Still listening

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1150816187490740882006-06-20T08:04:00.000-07:002006-06-20T08:09:47.493-07:00

Just finished reading Joanna Shroeder's by-the-minute recaps of the Columbus teams' trip to Rust Belt Regional Poetry Slam and Midwest Poetry Slam League Finals. Great reading. Columbus didn't return with the belt this year, but it sounds like they had a truly great time.Read the recaps here.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1150815868478533942006-06-14T07:57:00.000-07:002006-06-20T08:04:28.500-07:00

Jen Bosveld (owner, chief editor of Pudding House) opened her one-woman show of ekphrastic poetry and broadsides last night at Don Parmesan's Italian Restaurant in Reynoldsburg. Her show--some art or photography accompanied by poems, some broadsides--(large, frameable poems) will run for about a month at the restaurant.Read some poems with Columbus east side roots, and "Pressure Switch" (at

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1147409490473608982006-05-11T21:41:00.000-07:002006-05-11T21:53:30.986-07:00

Writing some new work, FINALLY! I've had a long dry spell.Trying to work on a set list for Columbus Arts Festival. Since I won the competition (written poetry plus audition), I'm determined to have new or seldom-heard work to present for at least 75% of the set. If anyone's interested, I'll be reading at the arts fest Friday, June 2, and 7:00 p.m.Salon this weekend. Looking forward to hearing

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1146206740188896352006-04-27T23:20:00.000-07:002006-04-27T23:45:40.203-07:00

WOW! What a week for slamming in Columbus, Ohio!Black Pearl Poetry held its grand slam to choose its first National Poetry Slam team on Tuesday night. Was a HOT night, with poets duking it out to see who had the chops to represent Columbus' alter personality in its first venture at the national level. Scores were close, the poetry was intense, and the team, in the end, came together with very

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1146004245285670122006-04-25T15:22:00.000-07:002006-04-25T15:30:45.310-07:00

Got back late Sunday night from the Women Writers Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. Went down to participate in their first-ever Gypsy Invitational Poetry Slam. Quite an experience.The slam organizers were new to the process--there were a lot of kinks--but, all in all, it was a great opportunity to bring NPS caliber poetry into downtown Lexington. We slammed in an old Victorian style shopping

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1144957300120971852006-04-13T12:32:00.000-07:002006-04-13T12:41:40.136-07:00

Just got back from a three-city mini-tour: Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis. Wonderful time! Long, very boring drive home--except for Chicago. Now, there's a city built to totally scare the pants off non-Chicago-ites! Every toll both has a sign that reads "obey the lines" to make you stay in your lane when exiting the toll area. But all the crazy lines converge upon each other. It's totally

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1141075312791656542006-02-27T13:20:00.000-08:002006-02-27T13:21:52.810-08:00

For any who wondered, my surgery on February 15 went well. I'm recuperating and feel better each day, but not able to be online much at all.I miss my family of poets, but I'll be back soon.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1139415241764742522006-02-08T08:02:00.000-08:002006-02-08T08:14:01.780-08:00

Who says little women don't have power? Louise Robertson did a masterful job of handling poetry for a very appreciative crowd on Monday, the 30th. But that's not what this post is about. It's about the lingering feedback her reading has received since then. Her poetry still plays in the minds of Larry's regulars even now. At least three of the regular folks have commented on how very much

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1138307457534142642006-01-26T12:14:00.000-08:002006-01-26T12:33:11.386-08:00

Some days it seems no matter what one says someone will gather from it what they choose. A mouth becomes a loaded gun. Simple statements take on a caliber never intended or proclaimed. How does one translate intent into a language one has never been taught to speak? The everyman tongue. The dialect by which no person breathing might ever be offended?How does one sing aloud a clear and honest

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1137792322481528802006-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:002006-01-20T13:32:44.776-08:00

Pudding House Publications presents:SALON 2006Monthly read-around, feedback, critique.Join us in 2006 as we continue to explore new approaches, new subjects, new avenues through which poetry can express the seemingly inexpressible. We will work on craft, presentation, voice and style, personna poems, poems of place, finding the central life of the poem, freewriting, seed poems, freeing yourself

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1137622634835752382006-01-18T14:10:00.000-08:002006-01-18T14:17:14.846-08:00

The season is rolling again at The Poetry Forum at Larry's. Monday night's feature was Stevi Meredith from Writer's Block. Nice job. The crowd was decent, and it was really a good night for poetry, both feature and open mic.Next Monday night, Jerry Roscoe will grace the mic with his smooth offerings and unique sense of wit. Jerry will make the crowd chuckle and generally deliver an evening of

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1135400737202439522005-12-23T21:02:00.000-08:002005-12-23T21:05:37.223-08:00

I just finished reading Ed's post over at Black Pearl Poetry re the iWPS Grand Slam. Sounds like it was an exciting night filled with poetry and poet comraderie. I'm still bummed I had to miss it, but I am totally psyched for Tiffani! She's been working her thing for the last few months and coming up with some hard-hitting, in your face poetry, and it looks like it served her well.You rock,

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1134677869913943812005-12-15T12:03:00.000-08:002005-12-15T12:17:49.926-08:00

Okay. Time to face reality, I guess.Just got back from the Doc's office. The procedure on Tuesday will keep me out of the grand slam, and I'll be out of commission for about a week. I guess I won't whine. Things could always be worse.Missed the OAC panel meetings this week. Wanted to sit in and listen to the committee's criticisms of the works submitted for grant consideration. Would have

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1134600964095000962005-12-14T14:49:00.000-08:002005-12-14T15:05:15.513-08:00

There is a full week ahead of me. Today is Wednesday, and I am woefully behind at Pudding House after several days of deadline demands at my day job. Several authors are awaiting proof copies of their manuscripts and I haven't had time to lay them out. Orders need to be filled and I haven't been around to help out. I think I know what I'll be doing with my spare evenings for several days.Next

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1134326345479883692005-12-11T10:31:00.000-08:002005-12-14T15:17:56.543-08:00

The ground in Columbus is white again, and three or four nights ago it was quite beautiful. Have you ever noticed how calm, how peaceful the world seems immediately after an evening snow? This one came with a few hours of beautifully warm winter weather. It was almost as if one could remove the coat, hat, gloves and just walk around in the pristine freshness of the snowfall, celebrating our

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1133928570075102732005-12-06T19:57:00.000-08:002005-12-06T20:11:10.643-08:00

I think I'd better post something before people think I died or something. Rumor has it that a few very close friends have been very concerned about me lately. We are, however, human--me far no less than others. I live in a flesh house, and every now and then that house tries to shut down on me. I'll be okay, though.Days like these make one appreciate healthy, high energy days.Great time at

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1131990085903166132005-11-14T09:35:00.000-08:002005-11-23T07:02:28.646-08:00

That's me today. I have about five poems in the works, and in each one I am stuck on a single stanza. The genesis. The seed. But the growth of the truth within the poem eludes me.Perhaps today is a day for freewriting, but my mind is spinning a such a rate that I'm constantly listening for that next thought while it has gone on to consider my reality. Is this what's called writer's block? Or is

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1131842018451995442005-11-12T16:22:00.000-08:002005-11-23T07:04:21.573-08:00

Well, I'm told I "wasn't that far from getting in" at "Eye." I had only submitted a single poem (something I almost never do), but their editorial preferences are clearly described. It was hard to find work that seemed suited to their goals.Logic (performance poet, Ann Arbor, Michigan) did a very nice feature at Brown Stone on Tuesday night. His poem to the memory of his father was especially

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1131475644831971612005-11-08T10:26:00.000-08:002005-11-08T10:47:24.846-08:00

Made it back to Larry's Monday for what I hope is now my normal routine. Dave Lazar was our featured poet. Two great sets of film noir, life revelation, and superheroes. Was a fun night overall, with both Dave and the open mic readers making some interesting poem choices. Steve was, as always, the consummate emcee, making everyone feel at home.Maggie Anderson will feature next week. I look

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1131316248719365792005-11-06T14:23:00.000-08:002005-11-06T14:30:48.740-08:00

Sometimes I feel like I have to visit this page just to prove I'm still alive. There is not always something significant to say about the art, the business, the craft.Went to the Ursula Rucker event at Brown Stone last Tuesday. Packed house. Standing room only. Long night. Ed had open mic, a short slam, Middle Child AND Ursula Rucker on a week night when things started late. Lots of folks

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1130268456312525042005-10-25T12:27:00.000-07:002005-10-25T12:32:36.513-07:00

Last night's coffeehouse event at Mansfield Art Center was a step up from their previous (although even then quite ambitious) arts gathering. The Art Center opened its upper floor to the organizers, allowing them to breathe and expand, and bringing all of us into a wonderful reading experience. The acoustics in the upper floor room were among the best in any event I've attended. We were able to

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1130278888822763402005-10-21T15:17:00.000-07:002005-10-25T15:21:28.836-07:00

I missed a reading last night. Was scheduled to do a feature at Kafe Kerouac but was running a rather unhealthy fever and had not voice. Tried to notify everyone via ColsPoetry listserv, my poetry lists, etc., but didn't catch everyone. A friend who'd been trying to catch me at poetry for months came out and I was not there. I AM SO SORRY, Jean!I hear Kerouac was fun nonetheless, and I'm

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1130261111163719312005-10-08T10:13:00.000-07:002005-10-25T10:25:11.170-07:00

Some years I HATE it when The Poetry Forum at Larry's (TPFAL) is closed for the summer season. Some years I'm relieved, hard-focused on my weariness and craving rest. I was the latter this year. Imagine my surprise when Dave Baratier called to say they'd moved my feature slot to opening night. What goes through one's head at that moment?One: Larry's is my home venue for the most part. I

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1130260372412825952005-09-30T09:56:00.000-07:002005-10-25T10:27:23.453-07:00

September whooshed by like a buzzsaw through balsa wood, blowing me down and chipping away pieces of self I thought were necessary, creating a new surface, weather worn, badly in need of sanding, and dented from the impact of what seemed then such gentle encounters.I pick at the sawdust remnants of what once were visions. They are jagged and small. They lie in tiny mounds like anthills raised

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1128004633448276552005-09-29T07:19:00.000-07:002005-09-29T07:37:13.463-07:00

You ever get to a point of change, ready to turn a corner but old projects and obligations keep you from moving? Yeah. A stale place, where the air has not moved in what seems centuries. I'm there today. Got something brewing inside, something different but still have things to finish here, in this current phase before I can move on.Maybe it's the same doldrums I experienced the last two

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1126890086962783592005-09-16T09:52:00.000-07:002005-09-16T10:01:26.966-07:00

Today's music: Hiroshima, "Obon"Favorite cuts: "Obon two-five," "Mr. Robben"Today's goal: Submit at least two poem groups to selected journals. Survive a very slow work day when I'd love to be writing.Weekend Plans: Restore order to my life.The skies are dark over northwest Columbus today. We will be dodging raindrops any minute.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1126842255627710662005-09-15T20:42:00.000-07:002005-09-15T20:45:18.930-07:00

Reworked three or four older poems yesterday and today. They taste much better on the palate now.Preparing some submittals--venues I'd planned to send to back in spring, before I procrastinated.Life is back in order. This feels very good. Very good indeed.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1126281345061870732005-09-09T08:30:00.000-07:002005-09-09T08:55:45.070-07:00

Just recording my engagements here for the loyal few:September 17 -- FEATURE and talk, Ohio Poetry Association monthly meeting.September 22 -- Thurber House Evening with Authors (for Pudding House)September 25 -- Writer's Ink Book Fair, Thurber Center (for Pudding House)September 30 -- Jazz Slam, Columbus Music Hall, 9:00 PM (either slamming or attending)October 3 -- FEATURE, The Poetry Forum at

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1125968301094970042005-09-05T17:57:00.000-07:002005-09-07T19:51:30.363-07:00

Okay... I think I've finally got my Blogger.com blog connected to my livejournal site. Shared posts! Woo hoo!Finally, just one voice. Maybe people will find me out here now.Anyone on live journal is welcome to read my archives at http://conversant2.blogspot.com.(Updated 9/7: Okay, so maybe not. I'm still waiting for livejournal to react to my emails.)Rose

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1125963090051842742005-09-05T16:27:00.000-07:002005-09-05T16:31:30.053-07:00

Sometimes I think, if I had it to do over again, that I'd major in English with a Creative Writing emphasis. My heart is really in the writing, and not in computer science. Ah well, we all have things we wish we'd done differently. I have twenty years of them to think about.Today was a lazy day. Labor Day. Day to relax and remember how hard generations before us worked to get employment

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1124809661550162112005-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:002005-09-01T09:22:31.823-07:00

I am saying good morning to morning today, appreciating all of its light, birdsong and newness. There are times when it becomes as necessary as breath to appreciate the smallest things while we await some life dream or push across a milestone.Milestones... the new chap, getting into The Pedestal Magazine, getting off my duff on a grant application, getting through the birthing.Today I am, again,

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1124475058791757792005-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:002005-08-19T11:10:58.796-07:00

Tired for a week,back aching like a brownstone imploding upon itself,mind a moth enchanted by incandescent glow,fickle wanderer afraid to touch a single bulb for long.Forecasters promise rainand hours later the sky is bright blue and lace.Plans cancelled cannot be redrawn.Learning to breathe.I'm just learning to breathe.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1124388134051943222005-08-18T10:44:00.000-07:002005-08-19T11:16:45.920-07:00

Okay, so if you've been reading my blog or the listserv, you do know I came in 13th at NPS, right? Missed semi-finals--mostly due to a gawd-awful, low-scoring bout with wack judges on Night 1. I had the second highest score of the bout. Average score for our bout 1 was around 22.In ANY OTHER venue, this bout would have seen scores 4 to 5 points higher on the average, likely putting my second

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1124387062056686822005-08-18T10:19:00.000-07:002005-08-19T11:21:18.663-07:00

I don't think I'm going to say a lot about National Poetry Slam finals. The teams that were there earned their way into that event and they each deserve respect. I was a little disappointed to watch Christa Bell get knocked off the indie championship tier by a time penalty. Would I normally react to that? Not really. Slam is slam. But I watched her go overtime using the same poem she went

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1123924624942253992005-08-13T01:00:00.000-07:002005-12-06T20:35:51.503-08:00

National Poetry Slam 2005 is winding down and gearing up at the same time. I am at the host hotel, relaxing after three gloriously grueling days. Half a block away, the individual poet semi-final bout has just finished up, yielding the five poets who will go on to compete as individuals on the finals stage tomorrow night. Below me in the hotel courtyard, one hundred poets or more are gathered in

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1123827410350972092005-08-11T23:01:00.000-07:002005-12-06T20:35:21.906-08:00

Okay, hold onto your seats. The roller coaster ride is even more amazing:Bout 2: Team Columbus vs. Atlanta, Oakland, Palo Alto and Boston Lizard Lounge. Scores flying in the high zone all night long. Teams with their posses. Strategies attempted--some good, some not so good, and a group of judges that don't know quite what to think when they're hit with a complex poem. Team Columbus draws a "five

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1123782343002912232005-08-11T10:14:00.000-07:002005-12-06T20:34:53.083-08:00

What a night last night. We were up against the heaviest competition we will face this year in prelims and we managed to come out in second place in our bout. Lots of hard work, lots of strategy and reworking. The judges were a little "nuts." See: There's this long history of judges being absolutely "wow'd" by "group pieces." That's where multiple members of a team perform a poem together--often

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1123739083279403762005-08-10T22:40:00.000-07:002005-08-10T22:44:43.286-07:00

Just back from tonight's bout and fighting a grueling headache, so not much to say here. Just, "Whew!" We've made it through what may be our toughest bout of the prelims. Took a two: That means second place out of the five teams in a bout with absolutely tough judges. One judge was handing out an average 4.7 for every poet or performance down the pike. Great night! More later.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1123005518191938462005-08-02T10:44:00.000-07:002005-08-02T21:33:17.173-07:00

I discovered today that I'm nervous. So much to do, so little time. So many ways to trip over my own shoelaces. Do you do that? Some days we look at the sky and see sky. Some days we look up and see clouds, not thinking sky at all. Not to fear, though. Today is sunny. We're doing 90+ degree weather in the midwest, and I'm wondering what the heck the temp is in Albuquerque today.I want to see Taos

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1122782302794463692005-07-30T20:54:00.000-07:002005-08-02T10:44:18.880-07:00

Couple of hours out at PH, just finishing up some orders. Then a nice nap. Skipped the company picnic--just too tired to make the 45 minute drive and walk around all afternoon and evening, but did go to a cookout given by a friend. Wonderful times, but I missed holding and hugging little babies that look like my coworkers.New chapbook is selling well. What a joy! The artists requests future

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1122683402220122482005-07-29T17:15:00.000-07:002005-07-29T17:30:02.226-07:00

I'm in a quandry. Cover artist really wants us to use the high res scan she's decided to FedEx to PH instead of the currently accessible version. Full release in holding pattern! Pre-release (because we'd already run some of them) in process. Sailing isn't always so smooth as I thought.Folks tend to see me as very conservative, so I guess I'd better explain my cover art choice for A Woman You

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1122413314079679982005-07-26T17:28:00.000-07:002005-07-27T10:05:55.433-07:00

Hey.... took a couple of days' diversion to get back to normal journaling. Back to the focus of the day now: National Poetry Slam is getting closer, and the book release is happening Thursday! So now what?Well... now all those of you who were hesitant to "pre-order" anything can call me, IM me, email me, or just go click over to PayPal and know that you will have the new chapbook in the mail

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1122321620494459722005-07-25T12:23:00.000-07:002005-07-25T13:36:10.413-07:00

I never cease to be amazed at how delays or music can affect my readiness and focus. I had a couple of my Nats poems in my pocket last night, ready to catch some handy practice with a live audience, when the night got off to a slow start. Don't get me wrong--a late start was definitely okay, considering the many extra activities on the agenda. But my inherent lack of focus in a crowd without

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121886873542880562005-07-20T11:55:00.000-07:002005-07-25T12:22:57.426-07:00

It has been wonderful over the last several days to see that there are some of you who appreciate poetry and support the endeavors of your Columbus, Ohio NPS team. Where would we be without you? IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION to support Columbus, Ohio representation at the National Poetry Slam, you can do so at the team blog site. Just click here. And while you're there, feel free to leave a

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121028563448793182005-07-10T13:04:00.000-07:002005-07-19T10:17:12.646-07:00

(Note to visitors as you find my blog: I am allowing this post to stay on top for some time as we prepare for NPS 2005.)National Poetry Slam. Why do some of us put ourselves through it?Days of poetry and poetry events. Putting our hard wrought lines of words to the test of everyday listeners--some poets, some officionados of the art, others who just happened in and wondered what the crowd was

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121031587828741232005-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:002005-07-10T14:39:47.830-07:00

Salon today was a day-long meeting of the minds of seven poets. A wide range of styles and sensibilities meeting in one room to share and react to each other poems. Share in each others success stories, embrace each other in the common sea of words at work, and critique each other in the process. I am told I should stop pulling on my clothes when I speak. That I knew... nobody's perfect.

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1120957570360168672005-07-09T17:38:00.000-07:002005-07-09T18:06:10.363-07:00

Chapbook submitted with the revisions. Hard choices. Will be ready soon, at least ready before Nationals. Title is firm: A Woman You Know.Anybody want to order a copy now? I'll send it "hot off the presses" as soon as it's ready, probably two weeks or less.Rose

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1120955895271621762005-07-05T22:36:00.000-07:002005-07-09T17:38:15.270-07:00

Turned in a chapbook draft today. Jen took a quick look and didn't have any objections to the poems included or the order of the manuscript. I had it too long, though. Have to cull four pages somehow.Back to the drawing board.Rose

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1120955723398529172005-07-03T17:29:00.000-07:002005-07-13T08:43:42.060-07:00

Still working on the chap for Pudding House. Really difficult choices to make here. Lots of poems I want in the book because they are the poems people ask me about when they buy the first chapbook.Haven't thought of a title yet. Just hoping it will finally be a release that contains the things people I encounter most want to read. That means it will contain quite a few performance type poems (at

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121205198526385892005-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:002005-07-12T14:53:18.526-07:00

Ann Arbor sends in Logic. Okay.... I'm a little nervous now. This guy has been upstaging all night, using all the kickers.... startin' his poems from his seat as soon as his name is called, using the center of the theater floor rather than stage, everything possible to get up close and personal with the audience, grab attention--Dude is a bag of tricks (fine poet, though)! Not to mention he

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121204866859308032005-06-20T12:40:00.000-07:002005-07-12T14:55:55.540-07:00

Indie finals... I didn't keep track of score during individual finals and I probably owe Tiffani an apology for that. Girl did her thing and got into the finals slots. She had some tough poems choices to make here. Tiffani is new to slamming and had limited options available. We talked about how to best utilize the poems she had available, and she went in with a positive mindset.I had to use that

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121203967688962962005-06-20T12:36:00.000-07:002005-07-12T14:57:59.263-07:00

Bout 2--same basic lineup.Sudie went in with We Be Da Blues (an absolutely awesome piece of poetry), got lost in it and closed his eyes, but the crowd and the judges were lovin it. He got a 29.9--28.9 after a 1 point time penalty.Next move.... Tiffani was the highest scoring poet in round 1, so I had talked it over with Gina and decided to use Tiffani in Bout 2 second slot as well, since she had

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121203226352594362005-06-20T12:34:00.000-07:002005-07-12T14:20:26.356-07:00

Well... Kimberly asked for details.... give us details.Girl, there's too much to tell. We got there a lot later than planned and barely had time to use the bathroom before the draw. Contrary to some folks' expectations, everyone on the team took coaching very well. Gina and Tiffani were okay with things, whether they got to read or not.Heavy Blackness rolling around in about 35% of the poetry,

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121038272799818092005-06-20T03:25:00.000-07:002005-07-11T07:25:30.396-07:00

You know... wrote a long diatribe for a very intimate list of friends--full detail about the trip and the competition, but I don't want to post it here. Sufficient to say: Columbus has brought home the coveted Rust Belt for a third year in a row. Bout 176.4 Milwaukee74.9 Dayton83.3 Ann Arbor78.3 Bloomington84.6 Columbus80.0 MadisonBout 289.4 Milwaukee83.6

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121033301848793572005-06-17T12:56:00.000-07:002005-07-12T17:27:21.393-07:00

Okay... off to Rust Belt Regional Poetry Slam tonight. Gotta get some sleep and do my best to stay awake behind the wheel for 10 hours. Team and I are supposed to meet at 4:00 a.m. at Skambo--interesting choice of departure points.I'm sure Gina wants to know what a regional event is like--something bigger than our local slams and different than Midwest Slam League. Tiffany? I think Tiffany just

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1119974476715857162005-06-11T20:34:00.000-07:002005-06-28T09:02:00.976-07:00

Great day today at Salon.Session was led by Kathleen Burgess, who did a tremendous job of keeping the momentum going while we conducted the morning "read around." Each poet presented new work or work for which feedback was needed. The poems were evocative and interesting, and our afternoon workshopping session was casual and easygoing.Jennifer, of course, was out of town today (which you know

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1121035150179856052005-06-09T12:08:00.000-07:002005-07-10T15:39:10.183-07:00

I've been approached by Ed Mabrey and advised that Scott has decided not to field a team for Rust Belt Regional this year. Comes as a tremendous surprise to me, since it has been a tradition at Columbus that the Nationals team go to Rust Belt as sort of a proving ground, a practice session of sorts. Ed has found other poets who want to go and he's looking for a Rust Belt vet or seasoned

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026305.post-1120955362473286702005-05-24T23:28:00.000-07:002005-07-10T10:58:19.643-07:00

Today, I did a feature at Sinclair Community for their African American student writers group's first attempt at holding a poetry slam.Interesting event. Attendance wasn't quite what they'd hoped due to the holiday weekend, but they had several writers come out and show their stuff. A couple of very good writers in that group--mostly hip-hop flavor, though. And those of you who know me know I'm

Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12351038421122217808noreply@blogger.com0