Marly Youmans's Blog, page 159

In the fall of 2009 my husband and I went to Thailand and Cambodia for a conference (his) and travel. Currently he is back in that part of the world--in Vietnam as a volunteer, doing lectures and helping with neurology patients, etc. I could not resist this anecdote from a letter written today. I especially laughed at the red part (you'll see.) And I am glad he signed off as "Your loving husband!

Click!Click on the image to see a big fat version of the dust jacket for The Throne of Psyche, my new book of poems from Mercer University Press.Repeat of some ordering information:Options include your local independent bookseller or ordering direct from the publisher, Mercer University Press, a way of buying which gives them a generous return. If you're interested in owning the book, please

"The teacher is not a bad teacher, maybe even a good one, although he acts as if you can be taught to write poetry. All you can do is write it. Whether it is good or not isn't up to you." --Ebert on Lee Chang-Dong's movie, "Poetry"

Interview with Robbi Nester, continued[Robbi's fascinating parents]Marly: You have been through a lot lately. Both of your parents, two intense and colorful figures, died recently and, like so many married people, one right after the other. Would you like to give a little thumbnail sketch of each?Robbi: You are right to say that my parents were "intense and colorful" people! My father was born in

Photograph: Robbi reading at Red Rock Canyon, taken by her friend LouInterview with Robbi Nester, continuedMarly: You're a Philly girl. Tell us about your life in California-- where you teach, where you live, and how you finally at long last learned to drive.[Philly]Robbi: There are a lot of stories in this question. I grew up in Philadelphia, but I spent most of my time running away from the

This "I Interview My Visitors" post is the first one made about a person I have met somewhere other than the e-aether--I knew Robbi Kellman when she was a mere sprat, a 4'11' package of spark. She is still in the shorty club, but she married tall poet Richard Nester and changed her name, her side of the continent, and much else. As she turns out to be wonderfully forthcoming, the current

This week has had and continues to have entirely too much long-distance ferrying during snowstorms. I have seen great armies of snow devils, whirling snow spouts, too many gusty white-outs, snow wreaths, a snow rainbow near the sun, a wiggly set of back-and-forth tracks (up a small mountain or large hill--it felt like a mountain) that I made myself with my little Toyota, snowfalls, and other

The Red King and the Fool are popular fellows. They seem to be liked everywhere they go, thus far. I haven't sent many out as yet, but here's where online poems stand. Up today in The Flea are "The Red King's Sword," http://www.the-flea.com/Issue13/TheRe... the Fool Whispered to the Wentletrap," http://www.the-flea.com/Issue13/Whatt... "Jeux de

Today I am stealing comments from the middle third of my own Facebook thread. I thought this one particularly interesting because the responses began in some degree of general appreciation and even frivolity (as is the tendency of Facebook--whimsy and teasing abound) before finally coming to the question that I thought would pop up in the first comment. But not until the 31st comment! After these

12 Suggestions for thought, continued7. DISCUSSING PROBLEMS. Teachers and professors: when discussing the people in your life who give you trouble (particularly students and colleagues), be measured and thoughtful and always remember the principal or the dread Dean of Students, floating over your head in a little black dirigible. If you would like a skimpily-paid vacation from the U. S.