Not yet published.
My friend David Alpaugh , author of “Counterpoint,” “Heavy Lifting,” and widely read and discussed essays on "The Professionalization of Poetry" and "New Math of Poetry," responds to my new poem, “Legacy: Muse Neglect,” which opens We’re comin’ up to my birthday./I’m seventy-seven—twenty-three more and I’ll be a hundred!/So what’s it all about, sixty-odd years of writing, scribbling?/Etc. Hello, Robert: My apology for taking so long getting back to you on "Legacy: Muse Neglect." Been tidal... Read Full Story
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by Robert Sward Barry Spacks, Poetry Matters Reading an Old Friend's Poems by Barry Sparks The wonderings and sweetness of this voice bring to my thought the scent of fine paper, fine linen, shirt with a white collar for the first time worn, long evening with a new book, dwelling over the pages. But in its sayings of loss, this voice tastes blood on its teeth, tart taste of blood that can neither be spit out nor swallowed. In reverence for loveliness my friend's word-music comes upon me like... Read Full Story
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In answer to a recent query from 'Podiatrist Melbourne' ( see below) "Podiatrist Melbourne has left a new comment on your post "Podiatrist Father": Interesting blog. It would be great if you can provide more details about it. Thanks you..." I'd say 1) my poem "The Podiatrist's Son," which opens God is in the Cracks (Black Moss Press, Canada) is the best introduction to that blog and the directions in which it flows. The Globe & Mail (Canada) noted in a review, "The heart and core of this book... Read Full Story
Not yet published.
Thanks for checking in... for latest, please visit: http://www.redroom.com/author/robert-sward and, also, http://writerfriendships.webdelsol.com Working simultaneously on 3 blogs (how did that happen?), I'm focusing more now on the Red Room Writers.com and, in addition, " Writers' Friendship / Writers' Enmity ." Introduction to Writers' Friendship follows: "Humility is not a virtue propitious to the artist. It is often pride, emulation, avarice, malice, all the odious qualities which drive a... Read Full Story
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_____________ by Andrew Boobier -- In his poem, Casting and Gathering, dedicated to his friend Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney writes: I love hushed air. I trust contrariness. Years and years go past and I do not move For I see that when one man casts, the other gathers And then vice versa, without changing sides. Heaney evokes here the push-pull effect of friendship, the fact that two people can have different natures, contrary impulses yet be united in the common bond of mutuality and respect for... Read Full Story
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Collin Kelley: Modern Confessional: Poets On Twitter Read Full Story
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Re-activating my "Writers' Friendship / Writers' Enmity" series. For those new to this website or unfamiliar with the series, here's brief summary: Over a period of years I invited as many as 28 writers to contribute short essays on their experiences with writers' friendship. These appeared in Joan Houlihan's online publication, "Perihelion." The series began with an invitation I sent out to friends, colleagues and others saying, "How about a short piece--an essay, a story, a couple anecdotes... Read Full Story
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Thanks for visiting. Yes, Dr. Sward's Cure for Melancholia is still happening. More to come, more in the works, including a book (now in progress). However, I'm posting these days to Red Room Writers, my "other" blog. Please drop by, comments welcome... http://www.redroom.com/author/robert-sward Read Full Story
Not yet published.
Thanks for checking in... for latest, please visit: http://www.redroom.com/author/robert-sward and, also, http://writerfriendships.webdelsol.com Working simultaneously on 3 blogs (how did that happen?), I'm focusing more now on the Red Room Writers' Community and, in addition, " Writers' Friendship / Writers' Enmity ." What's that all about? See Introduction, which follows: "Humility is not a virtue propitious to the artist. It is often pride, emulation, avarice, malice, all the odious... Read Full Story
Not yet published.
Poet Peter Klappert's Circular Stairs, Distress in the Mirrors , Six Gallery Press,Pittsburgh, PA, 2008. --- My friend Peter Klappert sends a copy of his new book plus Ruth Kempher's Always the Beautiful Answer: A Prose Poem Primer (the anthology was first published in 1999 and is now back in print). RK begins with a definition... PROSE, n. 1. Speech or writing without metrical structure: distinguished from verse. 2. Commonplace or tedious discourse. POEM, n. 1. A Composition in verse... Read Full Story
