Hey there sports fans. If you are into baseball, I‘ve got to think you’re mourning the death of the great Ernie Banks, #14. His face as a rookie ballplayer, which graced the front pages of the papers in Chicago, is something to behold: there’s a purity there not seen often. It shines through. Beautiful. It struck me because Sunday’s Chicago Tribune covered the death of Chicago’s hometown legend in the front pages and back in the sports pages too while the arts section … [Read more...]
News of contributors: Poniewaz, Somlo, Hilbert, Miller, Levine, Subprimal and Nelson Algren contest
I was sorry to read at various sources that Jeff Poniewaz recently passed away. He was currently serving as Milwaukee’s Poet Laureate. Known as an eco-poet Jeff taught Literature of Ecological Vision via the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 1989. His book Dolphin Leaping in the Milky Way was awarded the Discovery Award from PEN in 1987. Submission letters and his bio always came with this note: “His last name is pronounced POE-nYEAH-vAHsh and is Polish for … [Read more...]
Guest Post: Fran Podulka “The Fitting”
The Fitting You turn, turn, turn as the seamstress pins lace onto the perfect hem of your wedding dress. You turn on command. Reflected over and over in the mirrored room you surround us. "Fits like a glove," the seamstress says, then crowns you with flowers silk and braided pearls, a froth of veil softens your wild, loose hair. Somewhere in the shop your father waits. Since you asked him to come that he should see you this way before the … [Read more...]
Glimpse of Solace: Kevin Nance “Sunset”
Kevin Nance is a Chicago-based art photographer, photojournalist and freelance writer. His work appears in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago-Sun-Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Poets & Writers Magazine and other publications. You can follow him on Twitter at @kevinnance1 or visit his photo blog at kevinnance.tumblr.com. If you are Chicagoan, especially if you happen to live in the vicinity of the Berwyn CTA station, or have a … [Read more...]
Glimpse of Solace: Kathy Buckland, Kevin Nance
American Beauty © Kevin Nance, 2014 This post features work by two talented photographers. Kathy's photos are recent, taken of Lake Michigan a few weeks ago. I thought it was neat to juxtapose them with Kevin's rose. After all, the rose seems to me to be a February flower. So, if you didn't receive any roses on Valentine's Day, here's a late one. Hope you feel the love. Kathy Buckland is an avid photographer and nature enthusiast. She lives in Glenview, IL, … [Read more...]