About these magnificent writers
01/15/2010 04:35 p.m.
Episodically I have been reading bits of a wonderful book recommended to me by my friend here, Gregory O'Neill. The Triggering Town: Lectures and Essays on Poetry and Writing, by: Richard Hugo. I have found in this book not just wonderful ideas about writing, but things that I find profound about life. I am underlining and dog-earing so many pages. My librarian wife and good friend Joe David would be scandalized by what I am doing to these sacred pages. But what makes them sacred to me are the pieces of wisdom there that I do not want to get lost in the demographics of the pages.

This morning I read a poignant story about high school student (Hugo remembered it) who read aloud(as required by his creative writing teacher) a personal and special moment in his life about going to a whorehouse and blundering badly. The teacher applauded him, insisting on the appreciation of someone had offered a moment in his life with honesty and generosity.

Hugo was supporting creative writing classes as places you can go where your life still matters. I just love that! And it occurred to me that on this website I am richly favored by people who share themselves with honesty and generosity. And here on pathetic.org, their lives DO MATTER. What a gift!

I am loathe to single out any poets here, but this is, after all, my journal, so I figure I will dare to do so. I am thinking about Vince Blake and Paul Lorenz whose work I have recently read. Sometimes I am momentarily taken aback by the honesty, by the willingness to unveil for us sentiments that some might judge as base or rebellious or too negative. Of course, the reason I am taken aback at all is due to my age, determination to avoid pain at all costs, and my codependence. But I am glad I stick with this poetry and re-read and let it sink in. I learn so much about human nature and myself by doing so.

I think I might try use these journals as places for personal less-processed reflections and musings about the poems I am writing or NOT writing.
I am currently Amazed
I am listening to the doves flying away from the birdfeeder after hearing me cough