There are things we learn in the summer that we don’t learn in other seasons. In warm climes, we learn and relearn the intensity of heat, the places where sweat pools on our bodies, the way that one cool breeze can redeem a whole day. Poems about summer validate these lessons. Continue reading “Silver Changes in Summer”
Category: Musings
Musings on poetry and such
Johnny Depp, Poetry Man
Johnny Depp. Today, June 9, is his birthday. He is 49! I am writing this post to see how many hits I can get by putting his name in it. Johnny Depp. Just tagging that. . . . Well, not really. Here’s Johnny Depp and poetry in America:
Johnny read Jim Morrison’s poetry in the documentary about the Doors When You’re Strange. I haven’t seen it, but it came out in 2012. Have any of you seen it? Continue reading “Johnny Depp, Poetry Man”
People Talk Too Much
One of the reasons poetry hooked me at an early age was because I admired its efficiency with words. People talk too much. They write too much, text too much, listen to too many other people talking, watch too much TV with people talking. Talk. Talk. Talk. Words get cheap. Poetry tries to help them keep their value.
My recent European tour reminded me of this. I found, however, that hearing people talk too much in a foreign language was not nearly as irritating as hearing it in English. I could imagine that what was being said was of more import and occasioned by the sublime. I could imagine that, at least. Fact was, the same kind of chatter was probably going on. Continue reading “People Talk Too Much”
Cheery Chirper
I am taking my son on a college graduation trip to Europe. During that time, I will be leaving “Cheery Chirper” cards (see photo) with a line of poetry and the Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry web address. If you happen to pick up one of the cards (or just want to comment!), please comment below–something about where you found the card or your own line of poetry or . . . whatever.
–Shaun Perkins
UPDATE: The European extravaganza tour is over! Thanks to those of you who found a card and told me about it here. If you have a card and haven’t commented, please do so! You can be anonymous!
Pocket a Poem and Be Proud
If you have a tendency to pick up various items throughout the day and put them in your pocket, then today is the day for you. One of those various items you need to purposely put in your pocket today is a poem. Yes, it is Poem in Your Pocket Day, started in 2002, in New York, one of the greatest celebrations of poetry during the National Poetry Month of April.
Carrying a poem in your pocket exemplifies what is true about poetry–it yearns to be a part of you; it yearns to be used. Fold it several times. Take it out every hour or so. Read it to a stranger. Read it to your mom or your brother or your step-dad or your best friend or the girl no one talks to by her locker at the end of the hall. Continue reading “Pocket a Poem and Be Proud”
You are the Fog
“What is troublesome about poets sequestered at the university is that unless we go to trade school or are exempt as trust-fund cases, in the sight of potential employers we might as well bear the mark of the beast. As a result, the university is virtually the only place for us. In the nation at large being a poet is suspect at best. ‘Read? I don’t read. Readin’s for queers,’ said one respondent to a recent poll on literacy. What a country.”–C.D. Wright Continue reading “You are the Fog”
Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry 