POETRY

Something Like Forgiveness

Congratulations to Rebecca Schumejda, whose terrific new book is available from Stubborn Mule Press. Rebecca asked me to do some collage for the book, and little did I know the text and the images would pull together so well. It’s really a triumph for her, as she bravely pushes herself into some difficult new poetic territory, writing raw and close to the bone about a recent family tragedy. I consider it an honor to have just a small part in this ferocious and honest book, and encourage anyone reading this to go give it a look. The folks at Stubborn Mule went big, doing beautiful full-color art within the pages of this book-length rumination on potentially forgiving the unforgivable.

Lucky #13

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And by that I mean Paper & Ink #13, Tales From the Bar Side.

I've got a short story, Behind the FAT CHANCE in this boozy and ferocious issue of Martin Appleby's magazine. In the "Notes From the Editor" he wisely points out that a certain kind of dive bar is getting harder and harder to find, and that is a sad thing indeed. I enjoyed many a slow and low moment over a pint and my thoughts, even scribbled a few poems on napkins in exactly the kinds of places this issue celebrates, and doubt I'll ever find a haunt as great as they used to be. Martin was especially patient with me as I tinkered with the story, considering (but ultimately abandoning) a serious rewrite of the end. Still this is a better, tighter version of the story. But don't get the issue for that. Check out all these other folks:

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It's easy as pie to get a copy, as you can order through ETSY. Numbers are limited, so don't sleep on it!