It’s the smile that comes with something not quite figured out yet, like a realization that’s coming, but it’s a good one, but it’s not fully understood: that’s what it’s like laying here in bed, writing up this post. If you recall, I did not expect any publications after the last post I made. That changed. I was published in the Junction and in Nine Lines, but it’s better than that. So much better.
Roy Scranton was told I’m a “cracking” poet by Maxim at the NYU veteran’s writing group, so Roy emailed me and looked at some of poems. He gave me the thumbs up to be a part of his reading on Governor’s Island on 22 July. I mean, what a huge break. But they’ve just kept coming. Maxim, Roy, you guys rock.
I had applied for the Rosen Fellowship which is giving me $5,000 to publish a book of poetry and go on tour and advertise. When I said “is giving,” that was your cue. If you’re one of those who jumps up and down at news of the success of others, you may begin. The board, Ms. Rosen and Stephen Gracia, thank you. And wait, it gets better.
I was invited to read at the Nuyorican this Saturday at 3:00pm, and one of the people who are curating that show read some of my poems and liked one so much that he threw some music behind it and sent it to me with a question: Would i like to collaborate? YES! Thank you Raymond Daniel Medina.
No, we’re not even close to done. Professor Douglas, who is brilliant, spent a few hours each week helping me revise the book of poetry that is getting published via the Rosen Fellowship. What Douglas did was change the way I view poetry, I mean, he swung wide the door of the wide, poetic world. Still not done.
Professor Phillips has agreed to take me on for independent study for my Creative Writing Thesis which is a book. That’s two semesters of one-on-one work that will really be hugely beneficial. “Are we there yet?”
“10 more minutes.”
Well, man, I just got this mention in The Outlet which is a blog that is hosted by Electric Literature. http://electricliterature.com/blog/2012/05/03/veterans-reading-at-nyu/comment-page-1/#comment-95685
