David Anthony Sam's Blog, page 156
June 17, 2018
The Flexible Persona Literary Magazine will publish my poem “Brittle Adoration” in an upcoming online issue.
The Flexible Persona Literary Magazine will publish my poem “Brittle Adoration” in an upcoming online issue.
This poem is one from a collection of “mistranslations” of Arthur Rimbaud–that is, poems that are inspired by the original poems in French, and not intended as translations.
June 16, 2018
My poem “Lineage” has been published by Red Queen Literary Magazine available online.
My poem “Lineage” has been published by Red Queen Literary Magazine available online.
This poem is based on my father’s father, a Syrian emigrant to the US who worked as a peddlar.
June 15, 2018
Carbon Culture Review just published three of my poems.
Carbon Culture Review just published three of my poems. This is the third time they have accepted my poetry.
“The Serpent in his Hands” comes from the experience of my December 2017 bowel surgery and the image (a photo I have, actually) of my intestines in the hands of the surgeon.
Likewise, “Metaphysical Changes” reflects on mortality with one central image being the surgical scar.
“Comedy of Ions” comes from my reading ot the Wallace Stevens critical biography, “The Whole Harmonium,” by Paul Mariani combined with the disappearance of the ice sheets in Greenland as our failures lead to the inexorable warming of the planet–leading to who knows what.
June 14, 2018
Magnolia Review has published my interview on the creative process online.
Magnolia Review has published my interview on the creative process online.
June 8, 2018
George Washington on Immigration
“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions.” George Washington
June 7, 2018
Taking Note: Poetry Reading Is Up—Federal Survey Results | NEA
• Young adults have increased their lead, among all age groups, as poetry readers. Among 18-24-year-olds, the poetry-reading rate more than doubled, to 17.5 percent in 2017, up from 8.2 percent in 2012. Among all age groups, 25-34-year-olds had the next highest rate of poetry-reading: 12.3 percent, up from 6.7 percent in 2012.
• Women also showed notable gains (14.5 percent in 2017, up from 8.0 percent in 2012). As in prior years, women accounted for more than 60 percent of all poetry-readers. Men’s poetry-reading rate grew from 5.2 percent in 2012 to 8.7 percent in 2017.
• Among racial/ethnic subgroups, African Americans (15.3 percent in 2017 up from 6.9 percent in 2012), Asian Americans (12.6 percent, up from 4.8 percent), and other non-white, non-Hispanic groups (13.5 percent, up from 4.7 percent) now read poetry at the highest rates. Furthermore, poetry-reading increased among Hispanics (9.7 percent, up from 4.9 percent) and non-Hispanic whites (11.4 percent, up from 7.2 percent).
• Adults with only some college education showed sharp increases in their poetry-reading rates. Of those who attended but did not graduate from college, 13.0 percent read poetry in 2017, up from 6.6 percent in 2012. College graduates (15.2 percent, up from 8.7 percent) and adults with graduate or professional degrees (19.7 percent, up from 12.5 percent) also saw sizeable increases.
• Urban and rural residents read poetry at a comparable rate (11.8 percent of urban/metro and 11.2 percent of rural/non-metro residents).
— Read on www.arts.gov/art-works/2018/taking-note-poetry-reading-—federal-survey-results
June 6, 2018
Early WC Williams–before the greatness
The Tempers by William Carlos Williams
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Early WC Williams–very derivative, full of traditional artifice, not in any way revealing the greatness to come.
Good biography for those mostly interested in the personal rather than larger historical context
Queen Victoria A Personal History by Christopher Hibbert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is subtitled “A Personal History,” and that is a fair description. If you are looking for a biography that includes the political, sociological, diplomatic, and military contexts in any detail, this book will be a disappointment. If you are most interested in the family and other relationships, the happenings of court dinners, and wardrobes and such, this is the biography for you.
June 3, 2018
My chapbook, The Topography of Hope, was shortlisted in the final 10 of These Fagile Lilacs’ 2018 Chapbook Contest
My chapbook, The Topography of Hope, was shortlisted in the final 10 of These Fagile Lilacs’ 2018 Chapbook Contest, but failed to make the final 3. Congrats to the winner and runners-up.
June 2, 2018
Dual Coast Magazine has accepted another of my poems, “Tanka – A Long Path,” for publication in their Issue # 6.
Dual Coast Magazine has accepted another of my poems, “Tanka – A Long Path,” for publication in their Issue # 6. This poems came out of a trip to St. Joseph, FL and the image of the dark shadows of gnarled trees across the white sand along the Gulf shoreline.
