How to write a good poem

"I think the most important thing any poet or writer can do to improve his or her odds of writing a good poem of any type is to learn continuously how to pay attention.

Poetry is not about how we feel, of course. It's about how we feel about how we feel. Knowing how we feel about how we feel requires an almost ungodly attentiveness or consciousness— an otherworldly watchfulness and vigilance."

— Adrian Blevins
from How to Write Love Poems

Tenderness and Rot

Tenderness and rot

share a border.

And rot is an

aggressive neighbor

whose iridescence

keeps creeping over.

No lessons

can be drawn

from this however.

One is not

two countries.

One is not meat

corrupting.

It is important

to stay sweet

and loving.

— Kay Ryan

Writing Wanted for the Switcheroo

I love artful collaboration. Broadsided — one of my favorite get-poetry-to-the-people efforts — does, too.

Founded in 2005, Broadsided is "putting literature and art on the streets" by publishing an original literary/artistic collaboration on their website each month. Visitors can download, mull, print and share.

This month Broadsided is asking writers to take part in the Switcheroo.

Here's how: Respond to the image above in poetry, fiction, or prose. Responses need not be literal. However, the art and writing must, together, work to create a greater piece. In essence: something strong, unique, interesting, and that intersects with the art in a way that is at once surprising and fitting. Submissions are due by March 5.

More details here.

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Laura Rodley, winner of The Real Warnings, a book of poems by Rhett Iseman Trull.

And thanks to all who entered the drawing. Your comments, emails and participation are greatly appreciated.

Powerless and poor

I'm not sure which is worse: That a political leader compared the poor to stray dogs, or that so few of us roared back at the cruel comparison.

As so often happens, while many of us reeled in disbelief, a writer formed the words we could not. In his column today, Pulitzer Prize winning writer Leonard Pitts Jr. stood against injustice:

"If he'd said it of Jews, he would still be apologizing.

If he'd said it of blacks, he'd be on BET, begging absolution.

If he'd said it of women, the National Organization for Women

would have his carcass turning slowly on a spit over an open flame.

But he said it of the poor, so he got away with it. . . . read more

Last Chance

Win this Book!

The Real Warnings, by Rhett Iseman Trull

To enter, simply write a comment below, or send an email to dcm@drewmyron.com. Provide your name and contact information.

A winner will be selected at random from the entries.

But hurry! All entries must be received by January 30, 2010.

Something to celebrate

I am dizzy with gratitude after last night's packed-house poetry reading.

Over 60 people turned out to celebrate the life and work of William Stafford, Oregon's most famous poet. To honor the prolific writer, Stafford events and readings take place every January all over the world. Last night's event marked the first Stafford celebration in Yachats, Oregon (a coastal town of just 700 residents).

Special thanks to:

• Writers far and near, young and old, for sharing words & good spirits.

• An encouraging audience, filling the evening with laughter, energy and enthusiasm.

• Green Salmon Coffeehouse for supporting the arts and letting us rent (and rearrange) their space.

• Richard Sharpless for setting a coffeehouse-music vibe, and creating a Stafford-inspired song just for the event.

Thank you!

Next Up: The fourth annual Off the Page reading in April! This event, featuring Oregon writers, gets bigger and better each year. Stay tuned for details (and pop me an email if you'd like to get on the mailing list).