Happy National Poetry Month!

Maybe you’ve been spending more time writing this spring. If you’re running out of ideas, I highly recommend this list of journal ideas from Bernadette Mayer.

Recently I’ve been watching videos from Chax’s “Enclave” series on Youtube. This series started in March 2020, and if I had to make a bet, it would be the first Zoom reading in the surprisingly long history of video poetry (see Jubliat and Ubuweb for more). What I like about these videos is they add to the experience of reading, and give my eyes a break from words on a page.

Here are some things I’ve been requesting from the library this month:

Alive by Elizabeth Willis.Elizabeth Willis very well may be my favorite poet.  Alive is one of the best books I’ve read. She’s inquisitive and dry, sometimes a word-tangle. Videos of her reading are especially great.

Great exodus, great wall, great party  by Chessie Normile.

This is this poet’s first book. It reminds me of time travel. When I read it I had lucid dreams. It was a quick read, but stayed with me for longer than a lot of the poetry I’ve read.

Insomnia and the aunt by Tan Lin.

I read this book every chance I get. I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently as the country responded to the anti-Asian racism this spring.  It’s a touching, and surreal look at family. Deeply funny, bizarre. My most recommended book ever.

Keep reading!

Written: Tath
Posted: Ryan