As some of you already know, I took a letterpress course this past weekend at the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts, and I've come away thoroughly enamored. I've even begun the frustrating and arduous search for my own platen press (oh, if only a Vandercook were even remotely realistic...) I thought it would be lovely, once I get one, once I get the swing of it, if we put together broadsides of our own poems, maybe had them at those readings we talk about having one day...

I look forward to Friday's field trip to Crystal Caves. Don't forget to bring a cave poem! I have to remember which one of those poetry books I found mine in... this one book a day thing has been a bit interesting, mostly ridiculous as I try to keep up with everything else, but good for me in that I've discovered new voices, and now I have a stack of books I'd like to pass along to you all--books I know I won't re-read or revisit, and you can then feel free to pass them along also.

xo

Collaborative Projects

I've recently finished reading Nice Hat. Thanks. as well as Exquisite Politics, both books published by two poets in collaboration. It's interesting to "hear" the ways the collaboration might be obvious or not. I think Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton were more successful in creating something of a singular voice in their exercises--I don't feel a shift as I move from line to line as much (though I do, at times) as I did with the other collaboration.

I've decided to spend a little time this may learning more about collaborative projects, and I started before Maria even had us "staring something," but mainly in reaction to that first AWP panel on 7 Poets, 4 Days, 1 Book. The panel itself felt fairly flat, but the project intrigues me. And I know so many professors (and others) keep insisting that this is the time for us to make contacts, that we will eventually promote one another's careers in editing together, publishing for one another, buying each other's work, attending readings, and on. I wonder if this isn't also the best time to experiment in more formal collaboration? I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

One last thing: I posted a few pictures over on my solo blog from MD's last class and the last Dislocate reading. You know, if you're curious.

xo