dc, thank you for your comments.

(May 12, 2014, 6:23 p.m.)

Don Marquis did indeed posit: “Publishing a poem (volume of verse) is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon—and waiting for the echo.”

And though getting published in today’s electronic age is “easier,” there is very little in the way of oversight, honest presentation, accountability, reward or satisfaction. There just doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive even an interested audience beyond other writers of the same type of material—and that arena is akin to eating a bucket of KFC in a pit of starving hyenas. From Marquis’ observation (written in the 1920’s) there seemed to be little, then, in the way of reward—and he as an author was extremely well recognized, read, and successful.

Causes one to pause, doesn’t it?  

“What’s it all about, Alfie…?”  you query. Honestly cannot answer that, mi amigo. From this ticky-dot-cat’s perspective, with rare exception, there seems to be little desire in improving one’s self as a writer. And as “poetry” in general is only written to be exhibited free gratis, no hope of real recognition, one must assume any sort of general audience comprehension or appreciation is, likewise, minimal.

A usual response: “Written for one’s self…” Pul-ese! That is the saddest of sad-sack, loser cop-outs. For without accountability, there is no improvement.

I’ll rage on this subject again, one can count on it.  Be well, Max tdc

A, sgraffitist and challenger of the mountain deities, I have been known to down a Wild T’ or so and pontificate: writing a poem is like launching an origami swan out into the plaited turbulence of a stream. The “poet” of that fragile sculpture has only the vaguest idea of its eventual destination and little or no control over its course.

And if not quelled, I would continue: simply having learned the proficiencies to fold, plane over plane crease against crease, that swan is a major accomplishment in itself. Tho well designed and precise its construction, there indeed, seems to be no guarantee of its path to adventure—or if the journey will even be completed.

Why, then, would a writer not want to establish a finely defined, well researched skill-set before beginning their project. Perhaps, with a more solid foundation, that graceful rover, will, reach the sea.

Keeping all the edges tucked in,

Max tdc

Yes, I know: writing this column, as it were, is a process involving the electronic ectoplasm of disconnected personalization; further supporting the degeneration of civilized communication—that, I get. But this ol’ alley scrounger still prefers the ink and pressed paper-pulp product; engaging tactile prevarications—and also those of the sense of smell, sense of actual possession. Nothing like the waft of freshly pressed ink on newsprint. Not to forget: it’s also much easier to take a printed publication into the cat box. Ya, go ahead, try justifying your silly-assed “tablet” or “dingleberry” when you’ve dropped it in the porcelain facility.

Is there an app for that? Hah!

Savoring ink. One of the more remarkable small ink presses available today (as it has been for almost twenty years, I am informed) truly gets, not nearly enuff exposure nor enuff accolades: bear creek haiku (“bch”). This “pocket sized” publication of unique dimension and publication technique is an enlightening collection of variously diverse writers; variously experienced in both writing accomplishment as well as, life exposure.

A couple of examples:

“The longer I live

 the longer I want to live:

 life nurtures itself.”   

Dennis Rhodes

Provincetown, MA

------------------------------

“Fording the Dudh Kosi

 we ascend steeply towards

 peace and serenity,

 monastery of Tengboche.

 rhododendron forest

 our sidar kneels

 touching a single

 fuchsia petal” 

Kitsuné

Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal

-------------------------------

Why not give bch a try. Drop a single, green wrinkly Lincoln into an envelope along with an SASE and send them off to:

   bear creek haiku

   Editor: ayaz daryl nielsen

   P.O. Box 3787

   Boulder, CO  80307   USA

If you’d like to submit your works to
bch: it would probably be best to review

an actual copy first. (Lay-out procedures are also important to getting accepted and seen in the gentle blue pages of this print.) But the information and a good overview of the publication are available on line at:

http://bearcreekhaiku.blogspot.com/

          (link here, at the right)

Specifics:
Monday, March 31, 2014 blog.

Don’t forget, an SASE with each submittal. Ayaz Daryl produces this fine little gem with all of his heart, and nil funding beyond your $5.00 yearly subscription fee—and any additional support one may wish to bestow. Enjoy.

Max tdc