Heather Haley's Blog, page 2

ADVENTURES IN VERSE

            That time I featured at the Twisted Poets reading series. Too busy to blog lately as I’m in writing and editing mode, this one of my latest efforts. AVATARS & ADVENTURERS We are warriors, from Beowulf’s might to the steel resolve of #MeToo, defending our realms on the ground, […]

IF I WERE ARTEMIS

                Latest revision of my kooky slay the patriarchy poem, a kind of extended metaphor,  transforming the speaker into Artemis, the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt to explore themes of power, transformation and retribution. I have the rest of April to compose new work and finish editing […]

WHO TO BELIEVE

I made the mistake-or was it-of posting this recently. Almost immediately discourse deteriorated into unpleasantness. No wonder I’m reluctant to employ my voice or post anything remotely political. First there was a disagreement about the authenticity of the photo, which is fair enough. Then a sort of pissing contest about who was the most well-informed, […]

PARADISE & PANDEMONIUM: Crafting Poetry from Chaos

  “It was never an apple.” Makes sense, doesn’t it? Despite several disruptions, I’ve been writing like a fiend this year in order to complete a collection of poetry and new edition of my novel, “The Town Slut’s Daughter,” for its 10th anniversary in October, which blows my mind. I’m aiming to amass enough new […]

THIS LOVE NEVER DIES…

                On this Valentines Day eve when I’m feeling more than a little disillusioned with romantic love, I will share a poem about a mother’s love for her son. Truly eternal. FAMILIAL FANTASIAS In the languid night’s tender glow, through labyrinthian processions upon an infinite summer catwalk, we […]

“…The Poet’s Dust…”

Happy Robbie Burns Day! My son and I only unearthed our Caledonian roots seven years ago. After posting Family Tree DNA test results, a cousin and genealogical researcher contacted me and from there, the search began in earnest. She found a fairly close relative which eventually led to our long-lost Ferguson clan/kin. Thank you, Amy, […]

PAGE BABY PURGES

      Happy New Year my pretties! Eat my dust defamers and bloodsuckers; I am not only moving forward, I am hurtling ahead, resolute and able to compose consistently. Latest poem, first draft: PAGE BABY Forecasts foretell the fading of paper, echoing the decline of oracle bones, and though I roam the digital domain […]

Seeing As Our Desires Guide Us…

                A work in progress for those paying attention. Thank you. I’m diligently toiling away on two books, my fourth collection of poetry and a rewrite of my novel, which buoys me amid daily heartbreaking news of war and disaster. SIGHTLINES OF DESIRE Seeing the mountains, however distant […]

GEM IN THE GUTTER…and fuck fentanyl!

            In the wake of another tragic loss.   GEM IN THE GUTTER   You are my high I sang to my love   in a lullaby each night. High on life for nearly 20 years   until crushed by despair, fatigue of the repetitive kind,   a nostalgic young […]

PETER SCHJELDAHL, POETIC ART CRITIC

  “Art has many mansions,” according to revered art critic Peter Schjeldahl. I turn to his articles first. I’m old school, still love magazines and will indulge in a copy of the New Yorker when I can afford one. “Today the most compelling tend to the tumbledown.” I ponder “tumbledown,” how it applies. Are we […]