Esther Press

Received/Purchased:


The Looming Tower--Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 | Lawrence Wright | Vintage | 2006

Soul Mountain | Gao Xingjian | HarperCollins | 2000

Sally's Hair | John Koethe | HarperCollins | 2006

Souls of the Labadie Tract | Susan Howe | New Directions | 2007

Gabcast! Esther Press #10



From the current manuscript, reading three more poems--"Green," "Red," and "Piedras Blancas."

Ariana Reines explains herself. And her book, The Cow. If you live in New York, you should circle January 11, 2008, on your social calendar. Here's the tempeh and potatoes. If you're not in New York, you can listen to her May 2007 reading here.

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Ego goo, as mentioned yesterday, will just simply be egoo from now on.

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Began watching Code Unknown by Michael Haneke. Same sinister atmosphere, same indifferent cruelty depicted, as in the others I've seen recently, Funny Games and Caché.

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Best title for a litmag in some time: Limp Wrist

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John Latta's Grand Piano.

A poet grouped inside a group and either not wanting to be part of that grouping or feeling that it doesn't explain him or her.

I tend to like poets who are not part of groups or groupings, I've found. Or I like to disentangle the false solidity of the grouping.

I've found also that public displays of poetic affection are fine and all, but there are private feelings heard that never become the public ones.

Often these contradict one another.

I sometimes feel that poetic peer pressure, wanting to be liked, all that ego goo, plays such a huge role in this, and that I prefer the private, as these comments are not filtered through the public (i want to put a K there), the Publick.

Eat your vegetables.

Gabcast! Esther Press #9



From the current manuscript, reading the poems, "The Ignored," "For Love," "Ah-Um," and "Lines."

I don't think I've ever recommended any non-book item before here on Esther, but I will today. For some time now, I've been drinking Guayaki Yerba Mate, the Raspberry Revolution flavor. (For a little wiki-history on the Aché people, from/for whom the product is named, look here). I buy this at Chico Natural Foods, where I'm a member. I'm driven to write this here, as I simply want to spread the word. It's just made a noticeable difference in my mindset and my energy level, but it doesn't make me feel fidgety like unnatural caffienated drinks can. With coffee and regular tea, I often feel on edge, and I get annoyed and frustrated easily. It's a bit pricey, but I'm a believer in it. You can also buy the yerba mate in loose tea form.

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Received the new issue of Caketrain, which includes several pieces from part three ("Syracuse") of my manuscript Claims of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Other pieces from Claims have appeared elsewhere, like Fascicle, etc.

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This video has been making the rounds on several poetry-related blogs, but it deserves another home here. I can't say enough about how wonderful it is.