Alyssa Chase on running

Alyssa Chase, an Indianapolis resident, has been using Facebook to post poems based on her daily runs. Sample:

What would Whitman say about this creekside road? At the bend by the wild
raspberries, cars fly fast enough to kill a starling, a baby robin; drag slow
enough to drop a condom, neatly plopped atop its wrapper.

Check out some of her other run reports:

http://www.facebook.com/alyssachaserebein

JL Kato's log

The following is a calendar of  events I plan to attend. You’re welcome to join me at public events. I’d love to discuss poetry, books, culture, politics, and grandchildren with you. Be aware that some events listed here might not be fully described for privacy reasons. And, of course, the schedule can be changed at the last minute.

Calendar
Tuesday, Feb. 1
8 p.m. Poetry Salon at Writers’ Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St.*

Thursday, Feb. 3
6:30 p.m. Poetry on Brock Street at G. Simone’s, 112 S. Main St., Zionsville. Will read during open mic.*

An anthology edited by Blair Karsch

Sylvia Andrews' Indianapolis Examiner review of Bigger Than Cool, an anthology of youth poetry edited by Blair Karsch:

http://www.examiner.com/x-10370-Indianapolis-Books-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Bigger-than-cool

Limericks from an arts reporter

One of the topics I've been wanting to blog about is a chapbook titled Limericks With Latitude, written by Indianapolis Star arts reporter Jay Harvey. He issued it last July, and in the intro, Jay acknowledges the limerick's lowly status as an artform: "Often condescended to as a low form of verse, associated with scurrility and obscenity, the limerick to me has proved to be flexible as to theme, manner and subject. May the common result ve the reader's delight." Later, he asserts: "I hope I have left the limerick a more capacious vehicle for concise fun, even when the mood is reflective." A sample:

O Careless Love
(A single mom turns down a proposition)

He says, Now don't worry, let's get it on, I'm shootin' blanks.
Well, sex can be good, I guess, when the damn rest of life tanks.
Next day, he took off, I got plastered,
Now I got me a miniature bastard
To remind me what men are like. Do I need lovin'? No thanks.

You can read Jay's insightful arts blog at
http://blogs.indystar.com/upstage/, but don't expect to read any limericks. Which is too bad. Wouldn't you like to read jazz reviews in the form of a limerick?

New book from Dan Carpenter

I ran into Dan Carpenter yesterday, and he confirmed that his collection of poetry, More That I Could See (Restoration Press), is something he can hold in his hands. He's investigating plans for a book-launch reading and signing. Details to come.

New book from Chris Forhan

Chris Forhan's Black Leapt In, the Barrow Street 2008 Prize Winner, is available from Sparrow Street Press ($16.95). You can order at www.barrowstreet.org.

Landmark poetry

John Lundberg, who writes on matters of poetry for the Huffington Post, recently wrote about an event involving the Brooklyn Bridge. Read about it here.

The article got me wondering. What local landmark (in Indianapolis) is frequently the subject of poems? Nominate your favorite place. Who knows. Perhaps we can stage an event locally.

Butler's Visiting Writers Series for Fall

Here's a sneak peek at the fall schedule of the Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series at Butler University. The schedule might change, so check for updates.:

Andy Levy
Wednesday, September 9
Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall
6:00 p.m.
authors.simonandschuster.com/Andrew-Levy/46408661/biography - 29k -

Walter Mosley
Tuesday, September 15
Reilly Room, Atherton Union
7:30 p.m.
www.waltermosley.com/

Jorie Graham
Wednesday, September 23
Reilly Room, Atherton Union
7:30 p.m.
www.joriegraham.com/

C.J. Hribal
Tuesday, October 6
Krannert Room of Clowes Memorial Hall
7:30 p.m.
www.cjhribal.com/

Katie Ford
Monday, October 19
Robertson Hall Johnson Room
7:30 p.m.
www.katieford.net/

Michelle Huneven
Wednesday, October28
Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall
7:30 p.m.
www.bookforum.com/inprint/016_02/3881

Nick Flynn
Wednesday, November 11
Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall
7:30 p.m.
www.nickflynn.com/

Tipton Poetry Journal No. 13

The following is from Barry Harris, editor of the Tipton Poetry Journal:

Friends of the Tipton Poetry Journal:

Issue #13 (Spring 2009) of the Tipton Poetry Journal has been published and is available now in both print and online versions: http://tiptonpoetryjournal.com/tpj13/tpj_issue13.html

Contributors for the Spring 2009 issue include: Gilbert Allen, CL Bledsoe, Scott Brewer, David Campbell, Dan Carpenter,Patrick Carrington, Lisa Cihlar, Hannah Craig, Steve De France, Hugh Fox,Kristin George, Joan Goldberg, Tina Hammerton, Michael Henson, RonnieHess, Oritsegbemi Emmanuel Jakpa, Kathleen Kenny, Norbert Krapf, MatthewLandrum, Brian Lowery, Theodore Lucero, Donal Mahoney, Rick Marlatt,Bonnie Maurer, Norman Minnick, George Moore, Erin Murphy, LylanneMusselman, Brandon Pettit, Richard King Perkins II, Roger Pfingston,Stephen R. Roberts, Tom Sheehan, Judson Simmons, Roger Singer, ChristineSwint, Tom Þorgautr, Robin Throne, James W. Torke, Changming Yuan

Barry Harris, Editor

Katie Kowalski, Assistant Editor

Tipton Poetry Journal

P.O. Box 804

Zionsville, IN 46077

http://tiptonpoetryjournal.com/

July 4 open mic

Roshaunda Harden is asking for participate in a July 4 open mic from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Indianapolis Downtown Canal. For details, e-mail roshaundaharden@yahoo.com.

James Officer is back at Kafe Kuumba

The following was sent by e-mail from Kafe Kuumba"

Midtown Writers Assn. Inc. President Brother James W. Officer Jr. has been
re-assigned from Memphis to home here in Indianapolis. The man you have
grown to know as "The Voice Of Kafe' Kuumba" is back to lead you on a magical
journey of The Spoken Word every Thursday night at, Midtown Writers Assn. Inc.
Kafe' Kuumba Thursday Night Open Mic at The Way ( in the hall behind Scott
United Methodist Church) 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave., Thursday Nights from
7:00 to 9:00 PM.

Admission is free. Snacks are free, but we do ask for a free will donation, which is not a requirement for admission to Midtown Writers Assn. Inc. Kafe' Kuumba Thursday Night Open Mic.

Poetry on Brick Street article and photos

Click here for an article about Stephen R. Roberts and his reading at Zionsville.

Photo gallery by Joe Vitti, of The Indianapolis Star, of the Poetry on Brick Street reading on June 4 at G. Simone's in Zionsville. Scroll the cursor at the top part of the photo for caption information.

Poetry on Brick Street - More The Indianapolis Star Galleries

View this gallery at The Indianapolis Star: Poetry on Brick Street

Poetry on Brick Street

I'm planning to attend the Poetry on Brick Street reading, featuring Stephen R. Roberts. His deadpan wit has me laughing everytime, even if it's the 20th time I heard him read a poem. The reading is at 6:30 p.m. at G. Simone's, 120 S. Main St., Zionsville. It's the second time for the reading at this venue.

Previously, the readings took place next door at Plum's Upper Room, which owns G. Simone's. A little historical side note: A German restaurant, Gisela’s Kaffeekranzchen, occupied the space that Plum's now occupies. Long ago, the building was Clark’s Opera House, where poet James Whitcomb Riley performed. And, oh yes, suffragist Susan B. Anthony also appeared there.