If this month was a coffee pot, we’d be dumping the sludgy mud from the bottom of it into our morning mugs, and if I’ve learned anything from a life of coffee consumption, that last cup always goes down better with a splash of cream and a spoon of sugar. Do what you must to sweeten your own mug this morning, and off we go.
I could start here by bellyaching about my pain, and highlighting my struggles. I could tell you that I’m not doing so well accepting some physical limitations that I’ve never had to accept before. And I could launch into a flowing and poetic tribute to yet more loved ones, comrades and artist acquaintances that have died this past week, but fuck, I’m tired of death. I’m tired of the struggle and the circus. I’m tired.
When all else fails, help others, and make art. This two step process is my why.
Help others. Have you got your copy of One for the Roadside, yet? This is a really sharp little chapbook full of poems and short stories from some longtime, legendary writers, and a few of my poems are in it, too. The book was made to help us raise some funds and support for one of the most important independent publishers around today, Roadside Press. The book costs just $10. It’s the first book listed on my new webstore here. Go buy one, or two would you? It’s a legit good deed, that benefits a legit good publisher. Thank you in advance.
Help others and make art.
I finished a second full-length poetry manuscript, and this one goes direct to a publisher that I’ve been talking with off and on for a few years, and I’m excited to hear their thoughts on it, and to see how it goes. That first manuscript is waiting for another press this summer, I hope.
And did you know that I used to host a podcast? I hosted 75 episodes over a two year span, and featured over 150 artists, activists, and labor advocates, and moving into a small travel trailer full-time, I’ve always intended to start another project, something a little different, hopefully a little better, and I’ve been quietly working on that the last few weeks, too. I’m about 2/3rds of the way through the recording of the pilot episode, and I hope it’ll be out in the next 10 days or so. But stay tuned. This is kind of cool, and so far, just the fun, and community I needed right now. You’re gonna like this, too.
Hey. I have a big upcoming reading in southeast Indiana on Thursday April 24th. It’s in Seymour, IN, I’ll be featuring with Chris Dean, and Wendy Cartwright, all of us with the accompaniment of musician and artist Tommy Bays. Cooking up something special for this one, and if you’re in the area, you should come check us out. There’s an open mic, and flyers and promo cranking out over the next week or so.
There’s more readings, but they’re farther away, and we’ll meet before then, right? You’ll hang in there, and stick around with me another week, or two, right? I’m bound to write something eventually that you’ll like. And if not, I’ll surely tell you about other good writers, and if you don’t like them, you’re dead inside.
Speaking of other good writers, what have I been reading lately? I thought that you’d never ask. Talking about books is second only to my love of reading them, and I’ve found more often than not, if you’re a book lover, too, then you’re likely already my friend, we just don’t know it yet.
I’m back to reading David Lerner again. He’s probably my favorite poet. His posthumous collection Bouquet of Nails from Zeitgeist Press, is my jam. If you’ve never read Lerner, do an internet search, and check out a few of his pieces.
And I’m back to studying John Prine through yet another posthumously released book, Prine on Prine, a collection of interviews throughout this life. John Prine might be the best songwriter that ever lived. There are very few other candidates that I’ll consider, but either way, if you’re going to pursue a thing like poetry, or writing, you should study the best that have done it, and Prine is up there.
And I’ve just finished up M.J. Arcangelini’s poetry collection “Pawning My Sins,” from Luchador Press. I really love the title poem. It’s one of those brilliant pieces that you sort of wish you’d have written. And I dig Arcangelini’s work. You’ll like it, too I think. Check out his website, here.
And I’ve started watching this British TV show called Vicious. It stars Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as an old gay couple that have been together for 50 years, and it’s about the funniest, silliest, best thing I’ve watched in a long while. It’s free on an app called Tubi.
Hey, yo, wondering yet just what it is that I’ve been smoking? No? That reminds me of one of my favorite memes: it says “Those that don’t know me think that I’m on drugs, and those that do know me think that I should be on drugs.” But seriously, I’ve had a medical marijuana card ever since it was legal in Ohio. I’m prescribed weed for chronic pain, PTSD and anxiety, and it has been an absolute lifesaver for me. California sober otherwise, over 18 years now. I’ve been using vape cartridges more lately, especially during the day, and MuhaMeds makes some of my favorite carts. They clog way less than other brands, and have always been the good stuff. This doesn’t equate to all of their products, and that’s all I’m going to say. Not all cannabis companies are good at making all products, and you should write that down.
And for fuck’s sake, if ever there was a writer that could write all day about nothing, it’s got to be me. Here we are meandering to our happy hippie hugging affirmations, you know, because I can’t send anything out into the world without a little love, inspiration and hope in it, and I hope you won’t either goddamnit. We got enough of the other right now.
And this week I’ve been dwelling, meditating, and obsessing over the thought, again, of each of us having a role in the community. In the tribe that surrounds you. We each have a spot where we fit in. A place we belong. An avenue where we can be helpful. I think that this role changes sometimes, as we age, go through different life phases, and evolve, but I still think that we all have that place, and I hope like hell, if you haven’t figured out anything else to do to stand up in these sit-down and shut up times, I hope you’re looking for the ways that you can help add hope and love, too. We need it. We need you.
Love you big time,
Dan
ps. I’m working on making a couple of fun little signed poetry prints, and maybe getting a little of my art up on my webstore. And I really do hope that you’ll visit and consider buying something, and any support is doubly appreciated right now, as I try to figure out how to survive while waiting for the doctors to figure my stuff out.
Are you over-extending yourself? Maybe you've got too many irons in the fire. On the other hand, when it's flowing keep on rolling.