While Away šŖ
Now then. Iām glad youāre all here.
The updates are going to come in hot āļø and fast because at my new job I have double the teaching load, which means less time to make poems or friendships or newsletters for lovely people such as yourselves. I like it, donāt get me wrong--I got to teach both Oedipus and Antigone last week, and Sappho and Anne Carson this-- but it is time-consuming.
Plus, Iāve just returned from Westmont College š“, which hosted the annual Lilly fracas on Christian Higher Ed (it was not, dear reader, so noisy as all that). You will be pleased to learn that we sorted out the spiritual troubles facing our young en masse over round tables and featuring a huge number of bees. Santa Barbara is perfect. I took the train.
Also, Arizona is pretty wonderful. The Sun (greeks: he-who-smites-from-afar) has backed off ever so slightly, allowing now bike-riding, and breakfast on the patio, where I do my morning reading. And Iāve become, suddenly, and against all odds, Head Coach of my sonās soccer team ā½ļø. Weāre undefeated.
And the music scene here is better than I remember, and much better than in Seattle, which doesn't make sense but is still true. In 3 months, I've seen The Get-up Kids, Peter Furler, Brutus, and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, without really trying or seeking these things out--I missed both Skillet and Gin Blossoms because babysitters. Over-the-Rhine is up next! Everything is easy here.
Still, Iāve been up to no good, as is my wont, but sometimes up to some. viz.
Publications
These four poems in Radix Magazine. Careful readers may have seen some in a previous missive, but they werenāt properly published until now, and here.
Another poem, āThe House on Dravusā published in Whale Road Review. This one is about being in-between houses, jobs, and States, as was our state for much of the last year.
Also, I was a guest, along with theologian Richard Muow, on The Ride Home, wherein I read another new poem (soon to be published by C+L) and talk about the move to AZ. Itās short. You can listen here.
Reading
_100 Bible Verses that Made America_by Robert Morgan (my kids are learning American history this year, so.)
C.S. Lewis' Oxford by Simon Horobin. There's not much new here for readers familiar with Lewis' biography, but this is easily and by far the most attractivebook about the don, with full color pictures and beautifully bound by Bodleian.
Letās Call it Home by Luke Harvey. Okay, so maybe Iām partial because Luke was my student, but that doesnāt mean Iām wrong. You guys. These poems are so pristine, so precious!šš¼
Listening
There's a new ep by Sixpence None the Richer! Who would have thought? (I'm seeing them play next month). AZ readers should come along and say hi.
my anti-aircraft friend by julie. A record The Smashing Pumpkins could have made if you mashed them up with early Silversun Pickups.
When it Rains by Taylor Armstrong. Soggy, Autumn-music for a Fall we aren't having here.
Oddments
look at these lovely, freehand embroideries by the elven Gemma Matthews.
Alumni of the SPU MFA program are invited to our penultimate residency this March at which I'll be giving a series of talks on "Coleridge and the Creative Life".
Poet Aaron Poochogian is letting people read his book American Divine for free over here.
Image has a new editor! I'm still wowed by the happy turn-around over there.
Iāve got new work forthcoming in Rabbit Room and Ekstasis. Oh and more happy news (is it news at this point, or just an ambition?) Weāll sort that out next time.
āļø Oh and Phases (both hardcover and paperback) is 50% off right now if you click ācouponā and enter the code CONFSHIP āļø
Until then:
Big love,
M. Willett, Ph.D.
