Solace in a Book

Meeting Philip Levine and getting to know two fine & dedicated poets

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Well, after the crowds and action of AWP, I am back in my basement office, only now I have new friends and new books to read and discover. But I'll save that list of new friends and new books for a later blog, and tell you today about the top highlights of the conference. One highlight was meeting Susan Yount and Margaret Bashaar who were my tablemates. Have you heard of Arsenic Lobster Poetry? If not, look it up.  And I am not the only who thinks you should. The journal … [Read more...]

Untitled by Anonymous

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Untitled Anon, before 1530   Western wind, when wilt thou blow The small rain down can rain. Christ, if my lover were in my arms, And I in my bed again.   The poem seemed familiar as I read it again, at the suggestion of Hilary Mantel (the English novelist, short story writer and critic, who in 2009, won the Man Booker Prize for her novel Wolf Hall). She offered this anonymous poem as her answer to The Guardian UK’s question: What is your … [Read more...]

Contributor update: Kirk, Hilbert, McConnell, Powers and more

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Before I head off to downtown Chicago to the Bookfair of the AWP (Table C6 ), I'd like to give a wrap-up of some of the wonderful things the wonderful contributors to Solace in So Many Words have been up to lately. Kathleen Kirk ("The Solace of Reading: How to Survive Hormonal and Spiritual Upheavals of Midlife," "Postoponing a Response to the Fact of Mortality" and "The Heartbreak House") has a new chapbook!  It is called "Nocturnes" and is hot off the presses of Hyacinth … [Read more...]

Celebrate Poetry Month with us at Book Stall in Winnetka

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I went to a reading of "A Light Breakfast" a unique collection that is edited by Arlyn Miller and features a sackful of great poems  including ones by Solace in So Many Words contributor Carol N. Kanter ("Her Best Medicine," "Alternative Eulogy," "The Advanced Course"). I was lucky enough to meet with Roberta Rubin, owner of The Book Stall (and friend to books, readers and small presses) and I just so happened to have a copy of Solace in So Many Words to show her. So, … [Read more...]