The Air in Me Blows In Devilish Ways

The Air in Me Blows in Devilish Ways

Wow! This has been a busy week…so before we move forward we need to step back to the last two weeks.

Two weeks ago I issued a challenge for readers to submit a Senryu in the typical 5-7-5 form with thoughts about the outcome of the George Zimmerman trial and honestly the response was enough to take my breath away, not. In truth I had two responses which are posted below.

The first response came from Darnell Rudd Mandleblatt from Eugene, Oregon and she sent the following:

American Way?
See strangers as dangerous?
So embarrassing!

Darnell Rudd Mandelblatt

Thanks Darnell, your poem is indeed thought provoking.

Our next offering also came from Eugene and before you purists get the hairs on the back of your neck all brittle I’ll say at the get-go, that this is not a Senryu, it does not meet the 5-7-5 form, but, I believe it still carries a strong message, besides that, the contributor is my sister and she said if I don’t post it, she’ll see that I’m written out of the family will.

How do we understand
when a young teen walks into a store
with a hooded sweat shirt, and does not return home?

Where is the justice?

Kay Loe

Thanks Kay, I think many others may be asking the same question. Oh, before I forget, the check is not in the mail.

Again, thanks to Darnell and Kay.

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Now let’s talk about last week’s blog.

I received several comments about last week’s blog, most quite favorable, one not so much. Thanks to those who are weekly finding favor with this effort, I’m having a ball. This blog is growing every week with new readers.

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Over the summer I have been introduced to several sites where the writing process is taught, encouraged and provides avenues for you to grow, no matter how long you’ve been at it.

The first on my list is an organization located here in Portland, Oregon called The Attic Institute, a place where writing in all genres are shared and taught. In addition, The Attic has been opening their doors the first Friday of each month with open Mic. readings, which I have attended and have been able to read some of my work.

My thanks to The Attic Institute for the fine work you do. You can find The Attic Institute online at http://atticinstitute.com/

The other resource I was just introduced to by me friend Larry is a neat little web site called Narrative Magazine. These folks provide information on writing of all styles and can be quite helpful. You’ll find them at http://narrativemagazine.com … check them out.

The last site I want to recommend to anyone that is a part of the LGBT Community,... you need to know about Lambda Literary…this web site features writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and a host of other forms. Some of these writers are folk that I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing on KBOO-FM. To find out more go to www.lambdaliterary.org

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The next time we get together I’ll introduce you to a writer by the name of Andrea Hollander, a truly gifted poet.

Until then thanks for hanging out with me and for reading my blog.

Dan