In the Mail Today

Contributor copies of GRIST Issue 2. The issue contains several old friends, not the least of whom is the cover artist, Mark Cherry. I have always loved "Wedding Day," the painting on the cover of the journal, and now I have my own replica. Yay! It was a great surprise to tear open the packaging and see a familiar image there waiting for me. Inside, I find two poet friends as well, Adam Clay and Al Maginnes. The list of contributors is awesome, and I can't wait to dive into the issue! I'm glad to count Charlotte Pence, the editor, as a new acquaintance, although we missed a "live" meeting at AWP. And, thanks again to Joshua Robbins, the poetry editor, for taking one of my poems.

Also in the mail, a new issue of Gulf Coast. Always a treat.

Those of you who interact with me on a regular basis know I've been going through a bit of a funk when it comes to writing and poetry. I've experienced downtime in the past, and I do buy into the thinking that downtime can be good, a natural recharging of the batteries and all that. However, this time has been different. I have felt lost and empty about not only writing but also about reading. It has been a struggle and it has been scary. What am I if not a writer? What would my life be like if I just stopped? (It recently dawned on me that I could, you know, just stop. No more worrying about it; I could just go on being a teacher and general citizen of the world.)

Slowly, in the last few days, I've felt a slight awakening. I won't say too much, lest the freeze return, but at least now, there is hope.