David Anthony Sam's Blog, page 184
December 21, 2016
Fallen away then from the present tense
Secure the Shadow by Claudia Emerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“And I, as I have always known myself,
am fallen away then from the present
tense into reminiscence–the lucid was.”
So Claudia Emerson wrote in this fine collection published in 2012, just a few short years before she did indeed become the “was” no longer lucid. Secure the Shadows is her way of taking stills of what has died, her father, animals, and her future self, now lost to us forever, except in the wonderful poetry she left behind.
Her eloquence is in the exact word and image. Her emotion is never untrue but always real—and measured just enough to be contained within those words and images. Emerson’s poetry is very personal and autobiographical—but in her experience we read ourselves and indeed the universal human experience.
Most of the great poets writing today are women. It is sad that we lost this one so very early in her life and with so much more we wish we could have heard from her. So take the time to read this collection and the others that we have.
December 16, 2016
Dark Matter Journal will publish my poem “She Asks Me Inside” in January 2017
Dark Matter Journal will publish my poem “She Asks Me Inside” in January 2017
December 15, 2016
Reading
Reading “is one of the few things you can do alone that can make you feel less alone.” Will Schwalbe
December 13, 2016
Vine Leaves Literary Journal in Australia has accepted 4 of my poems for its final issue in Spring 2017
Vine Leaves Literary Journal in Australia has accepted 4 of my poems for its final issue in Spring 2017
December 12, 2016
If you’re the only one taking your work seriously, you can do whatever you want.
“If you’re the only one taking your work seriously, you can do whatever you want. If no one expects anything from you, you can do whatever you want. If you’re underestimated, then potential is your greatest asset. Your art could be anything and everything. Your writing could be about anything and everything. No one expects a certain style or outlook.” – Josh Spilker
December 10, 2016
The latest Issue of The Hurricane Review includes my poem “Formulary”
The latest Issue of The Hurricane Review includes my poem “Formulary”
December 9, 2016
An anthology by Into the Void contains 2 of my poems and supports a good cause.
An anthology by Into the Void contains 2 of my poems and supports a good cause.
December 7, 2016
Latest print issue of Literature Today is on sale until Dec. 25 & contains my poem “The Nostalgia of Frisbees”
Latest print issue of Literature Today is on sale until Dec. 25 & contains my poem “The Nostalgia of Frisbees” (also in Kindle edition)
December 4, 2016
Dublin-based Into the Void has accepted 2 of my poems for publication in an upcoming anthology.
Dublin-based Into the Void has accepted 2 of my poems for publication in an upcoming anthology.
December 1, 2016
Four of my poems are featured in the inaugural issue of Light: A Journal of Photography & Poetry
Four of my poems are featured in the inaugural issue of Light: A Journal of Photography & Poetry. Audios of my readings are included in the online edition.
