A June (2024) Update from MEH
My monthly (?) missive on all things MEH
Random Thoughts & Writing Prompts
Another school year is about to end. 21 years on this side of the desk. It truly was a year of very high highs and the lowest of the lows. I’d say we made it, that we’re all still here, but that would be a lie.
My sophomores completed their personal narratives. They made me proud. More importantly, they made themselves proud. “Non-writers” had their first grades in the A-range. People who think creative writing is not for them were surprised to find that they had blown past the assignment’s minimum pages upon pages ago. Students said, “okay, maybe this doesn’t suck.” They wrote about [insert everything that will bring a happy tear to your eye] and [ insert every content/trigger warning imaginable]. They did good, solid, personal work.
My seniors, my recent graduates, have just begun writing the stories of their post-high school lives. Others have just graduated from college are engaged in similar compositions. All of them have been asked, “what’s next?” I’ve taken to asking a different question: what would you take with you into a new era of life? What would you leave behind?
Recently, I have been reminded of my greatest regret, as well as the people who fill me with the most joy. Since I have to carry both, I might as well write about them and make the load a little heavier.
Poetry Collections I’ve Recently Read
Latest News and Publications
Recent Publications
A poem I have been writing and revising for well over a decade entitled “Paulie’s war” was published in Mid-Atlantic Review.
I have work forthcoming in the Massachusetts Bards Anthology, Porcupine Literary, The Radical Teacher, Rituals, and Whale Road Review.
Recent Events
Last month I was privileged to read with Randall Horton as part of the Riverwood Poetry Series (in CT), and for Rozzie Bound Books at Distraction Brewing Co (MA) with Toni Bee, Tom Daley, Maureen McElroy, and Linda Carney-Goodrich.
My interview and reading with Cedric “Cedboogie” Arno was filmed in Worcester and streamed on Facebook. You can watch both HERE.
Upcoming Readings and Events
For June (so far…)
I was inspired to finally complete the virtual reading of longer poems from said the Frog to the scorpion. Poems I never read at poetry readings (save one), so my physical voice had never accompanied my writing voice. Until now. It can be watched HERE.
Monday June 17, 2024 ~ a Juneteenth Reading at Wellesley Books with Tatiana Johnson-Boria and Sarah Kersey.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 ~ Arlington’s Beehive Poetry Group with Gary Whited.
[Any updates will be posted on my website]