NOTE: PLEASE SEND YOUR FAVORITE POEMS FROM OPEN SALON TO DAVE R. BY JAN. 1 (his site is here)
Dear OS poets and poetry lovers:
One of the most common messages I have been receiving so far is this: RECOGNIZE POETRY.
The front page of Open Salon is meant to reflect the news, essays and commentary of the day. Poetry can reflect the present moment, of course, but curating and selecting it offers a challenge that we trained in news and prose should probably avoid. I can say as an objective outsider that this explains the issue more than any bias against poetry. (And all of that is my opinion, not the official word from Salon.)
But I like poets and poetry. And the year-end timing (not to mention substitute teacher vibe) seems like a good opportunity to fulfill this request.
We'll need your help. Dave R., who has selflessly collected his favorite poems weekly, has agreed to help with a Best of 2010 in OS Poets list.
Please send Dave your favorite poem found on Open Salon by Jan. 1. He will post the results by Jan. 4.
PLEASE SEND LINKS TO THE POEMS, NOT THE POEMS THEMSELVES
Dave will compile the list based on your feedback.
Thanks, in advance, for your help.
Mike
Emily Holleman
Kerry Lauerman
Joan Walsh
Salon.com
Comments
'subsitute teacher vibe'. I have to admit laughing at that line dear.
I still say there should be a tab, column, or some way to find the outstanding poetry here without a writer here doing unpaid yeoman's work to find them all.
(the fact that you are explaining why it wasn't being posted is quite a step in the right direction, as lack of information can be construed as lack of interest)
kerry had mentioned to me poetry (and fiction if memory serves me right) would see cover space by spring
Now, if you need "curators" for this may I humbly suggest, besides Dave, who should be COMMENDED for the amazing effort he puts forward every week, seek around the poets. Some of them would perhaps be willing to help.
:D
I'd rate ya but I just had my paws done!!!
*rates with his tail*
(Pssst, you didn't really ask permission did ya? Kerry has always said, "I'LL RECOGNIZE POETRY AND FICTION THE DAY TINK TELLS ME I'M A GOOD ED I TOR!! IT WON'T HAPPEN.....")
:D
Rated with hugs
and hope they no break your ribcage.
My son, who needs 24- hour guards`
`
What's in that cup? What Ya puffin'?
Where's that hoe?
Row. Help plow.
Build a hoop hut.
It be 30' X 140'.
`
huh`
vent`
rant`
okay.
`
My son will be @ Colorado State`
Sober,
Studious,
Be hospitable.
He's read you.
Poke my son`
in belly button`
post 4- years a`
GI joe-goof ball.
No.
He's (Thomas)`
a great last child`
he'll be a sponge`
O, eager to learn.
He read Ya blog.
Gracious/thanks.
Hospitality. Yes.
Ay thanks. Good.
Congrats Dave this is all about you.r
Barring that, though, you could also commit just as an experiment, to have the single cover include just one bit of poetry that you saw that day that struck you as interesting. Or even just to do it if you see something interesting. It's not like the front page is fixed in size, so wedging in just one reference to a bit of poetry might not be hard.
Besides, a little bit of art strewn in among other things adds important color, and perhaps reminds us there's a purpose to politics that goes beyond merely bickering. It's intended to ultimately yield a set of rules that let people get on with life, and one would hope that at least some of that getting on with life is other things. But certainly if you can find room for TV summaries, you can find room for art and poetry.
Either way, I applaud your attempt to give audience to a neglected area.
This is a huge step forward for OS....THANK-YOU!
"The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth."
Jean Cocteau
See fingers typing!
Smell ideas fomenting!
Taste timing rhyming!
Feel laptops breathing!
(and fun)
According to Merriam-Webster, halleluja can be used to express praise, joy or thanks. You and Dave R. deserve all three.
Dave: Thanks for being a warrior for poetry and felicitaciones for this accomplishment.
Susan Creamer Joy: Swept away completely by your painting. Perfect.
I am thinking of a life raft floating on a black sea.
The moment I reach it I cling to it and am relieved and grateful,
Thankful to be alive among a few others, breathing.
But it is too small.
All around there are people still in the water, not visible.
But audible, their voices fill my lungs like seawater, sweet and salty
My feet tread the thick fluid slowly, above the depths,
Swollen and shoeless
The wide cinch of a north parallel tightens at my throat
Painfully in the absence of friends.
Saludos~W.Gentieu aka Inverted Interrobang