Beth Kephart's Blog, page 333

Waltz

Yesterday I danced the waltz with John Larson.

He countered the rain.

Hold me Tight by Lorie Ann Grover/Beth Kephart Review

There is never enough time for me to be the person I want to be. I am shamed, often, by all I cannot find the hours to do. But this week, at last, I turned to books written by friends—to packages sent, to packages ordered. I turned to the poems of the extraordinarily talented Kate Northrop (Things Are Disappearing Here). To the short stories of Alyson Hagy (Ghosts of Wyoming). To Rahna Reiko Rizzuto's novel-in-progress. And, last night and this morning, to Lorie Ann Grover's young adult...

Howl

The winds howl here, fierce and fearsome. The mind hunts for words that do not wish to be found. There is Zumba in the morning, Brenda dancing the ache out of our souls. There is my son sending a text: He has gotten a haircut; just the same, but shorter. There is Reiko in Brooklyn and me here, and our long, we-take-it-everywhere conversation by phone; when I punch the end key, I think (like I always think) about how much I love Reiko, how much her friendship means to me. She'll read a b...

What I Want

I feel the need, the absolute need, to write a poem.

To curl up twist up nod back dream.

I Emerge

I emerged from the long dream that is the writing of a novel with a desire for freshly cut flowers. I brought them home. I cleaned the house and threw a tea party for friends. I sat with the accumulated papers, the magazines, and read. I ordered books, embraced their arrival. I said yes to a new opportunity and plunged in, heart first. I said yes to another opportunity, despite the fact (because of the fact?) that it will take me, on many days, to a city that is not my own.

And I said, N...

English 145 (7): In the Eyes of Beholders

Yesterday in English 145 we reviewed (among many other things) the mini-profiles the students had written about each other—small snatches cooked up from last week's interviews. It proved to be a session that went far beyond talk of technique and deep into the heart of many matters—compassion, accuracy, and the power of careful listening not least among them. Writing about another is no mere exercise, not just an opportunity to strut one's literary stuff. It is as well the commitment we mus...

On the Clarity of Shadow Blur

I was cleaning the glass in my office, for friends were coming. I turned, and there on the yellow-orange wall behind my desk was the shadow blur of the glasses I need to keep my life in focus.

Today I print my novel. Tomorrow I read it. Later in the week I send it to Reiko.

Ghosts of Wyoming by Alyson Hagy/Beth Kephart Review

I don't have a photograph of Wyoming, for I've never been there. I don't have a picture of my friend Alyson Hagy, either, though she was here one evening for a Christmas-time meal, and I have in my head the rigor and intelligence of her stories; I have in my mind's eye an image of her studying the books on my shelves; I remember that I had a terrible migraine before she arrived and her presence cured me of it like a pill.

I write of Alyson Hagy on this blog—of her talents as a teacher and lea...

Riviera Pears

The pears came treasured in the web of their box, in the crush of their green paper, in the nearness of their time. Wait until they are ready. Wait.

All day long, they sat in the box and ripened, their juices rising.

Children's Book World Author/Illustrator Night/Lititz Kid-Lit Festival

Those of you in the Main Line Philadelphia area looking for an opportunity to mingle with young adult authors and illustrators are invited to join myself, Jen Bryant, Elizabeth Mosier, Catherine Murdock, Donna Jo Napoli, Kathye Petrie, Jerry Spinelli, David Wiesner and many others for the 18th Annual Author/Illustrator Night, tonight, November 6th at 8 PM at Children's Book World in Haverford, PA.

Those of you who live within driving distance of Lancaster, PA, meanwhile, have the chance to tak...