Goodnight Valley of the Moon.

Postcards

Looking over my past year, I've just now realized that I've been to the West Coast once every month for seven months. It probably makes you think I don't love New York, but I do. So here are some New York postcards I made for you. I didn't get out that many holiday cards this year, I know you'll understand. But here, here are my cards. Merry Christmas. And peace. And light.


Here's my window I stare out of and try to be creative and, sometimes, try to breathe. When I'm blue, I pretend it's the cliff of a great shore and I'm pressed up against it in a small log cabin. And then I send you a note via the postman on a seahorse.


My train takes me to those I love. It's the Love "L" Train. I took this an hour and half ago while a whole brass band was wailing out in the subway echo. I gave them a dollar and so did this little girl next to me. We were both pretty excited.



I've taken this picture before, but this time it has snow. And snow doubles the magic. The first time I saw snow fall I was 17. Now I'm not 17, but I feel the same.



Bon Bon made me all my presents. And she makes lovely things. I'm bringing you things, or if I'm not going to see you I wish I was bringing you things. Mainly I'm sending you magic and light and these postcards sent by seahorse.

Built for Balancing

The first night he walked her home she thanked him and he said,
Sure ,anytime, absolutely. She thought of her mom's dog who, when
he wanted a treat, did all his tricks at once. Sit, lay down, rollover,
shake, bow, play dead. Treat. In front of her house, a streetlight
threw a shadow on a green Schwinn bike seat. It was a small heart
in the middle of the sidewalk. She stepped right in the center of it and
stood still. For a second she felt like she was really balancing—
doing stunts she didn't even know she was capable of.

The Thorn Birds

The television miniseries was on when she was just seven years old, the year her parents separated. She watched it from the beginning, when the young girl was so alone on Drogheda that she absolutely had to fall in love with the priest. And how God was so important and then how love was too. She was little Meggie and then she was a woman begging for something she couldn’t have. All this happened in a period of one week. When her parents came home to tell her the hard news of divorce, she didn’t understand how they couldn’t see her already grown. That their girl had disappeared, that she stood as a woman, clear as day, angry at God and convinced everyone dies unloved and unhappy.

New Poems on InDigest!

New Poems

(poem was here)

(poem was here)

(poem was here)

(poem was here)

(poem was here)

When She Named Fire: An Anthology of Contemporary Poetry by American Women

What a joy. I've been stuck in with the stomach flu all day. Feeling sorry for myself, in and out of sleep and bad TV. Then just now I went to get seltzer at the deli and my mail was downstairs. In it was this anthology. I've got five (!) poems in it and it's beautifully done. So many amazing female poets: My wonderful teachers--Sharon Olds, Marie Howe. My wonderful inspirations--Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon, Rita Dove, Jane Hirschfield, Toi Derricotte, Allison Joseph and so many many more wonderful gifts: Aimee Nezkhukumatathil, Tracy K. Smith, Naomi Shihab Nye, Maxine Kumin, Jan Beatty, Dorianne Laux and so forth. Anyway, I think I'm tucking myself in in hopes that I can feel better tomorrow and crawl into the cozy office. But before I sleep I'm going to read as much as I can of this lovely book.

Night!

Home

Billboards

They had reached some area of the world that seemed to be entirely made up of billboards. As if billboards sprung out of the yellow earth like the kudzu vine strangling the hillsides. What’s that mean? She pointed at a large white sign with blue lettering. I mean, what’s it selling. He leaned over her shoulder and with both hands on the wheel still ducked so he could read it. God, he answered. It’s selling God. She stared at him and said, Sometimes I wish I could write you a letter. A long one with real stamps. She was watching his hands hold the wheel so gracefully, without any fear at all. What would it say? She looked at the view past his profile and the cars careening close and said, Oh I don’t know, it’d probably just say, Remember that time we were in the car and there was a billboard selling God? I’d like to be back there now. Trapped in a tiny car talking about nothing. The billboards went on for miles and when she woke up there were none, just trees going by in the dark.

Grateful & Blessed

Views from the Neighborhood

Go Obama!

Subway after Voting

Beat your drum and furl your fist,
every glance is a catalyst.

Claim your body stamped and sent,
straighten up what once was bent.

Call the sparrows and the bells
to add their wishes to the well.

Give your tongue a good luck lick
for every grin is patriotic.

Reading Recap

The Reading at the Center for the Book Arts was So wonderful. So much fun! Thanks to all the lovelies who came out. Truly. Beautiful. Aracelis, you are amazing. Rigo, I adore you.

Updated Web Site

Rainy day tasks. Farmers market, organize entire life, blossom into a butterfly tree, update Web site. Take notes on examinations of inner workings while blossoming takes place.


Ada Limon

Thank you!

That was such a wonderful crowd last night. I feel so grateful for all those who came out. Mad respect to you all.

Reading this Monday, September 22

Hope to see you!

louderARTS: the reading series
Featuring Ada Limón

Monday, September 22, 2008
7 p.m.
Bar 13
35 East 13th Street @ University Place, 2nd Floor
$6 ($5 for students)
2 for 1 drinks all night

The Real River

I just got back from the river I grew up going to, near my hometown. It was lovely and I didn't drown.

Now it's from the East River that I am waving.

Udpates

Sorry I've been absent. Been having to go with the quick clipping current of New York City. It's easier if you make yourself fish and just let go. Breathing underwater is the only hard part.

First, the show was so much fun. Thanks to all who came out. Thanks to the ever-talented, Bonbon Oiseau, for this picture and her beautiful write-up.

(pic was here)

Secondly, my book third book is going to be published by Milkweed Press. It's very exciting. Milkweed is awesome. It's going to be awhile. I need to tinker a whole lot and plus, sharks are everywhere.

Thirdly, I'm going to be a part of a Silent Film Series for Cinematheque Press. I'm very excited about my top secret project, but we'll let you know as I go.

Fourthly (Lastly?), Readings. Here's what's coming up! September 7, Cakeshop in the LES with Jennifer L. Knox (adore). September 22, LouderArts Feature at Bar 13 (rock on), October 17, Center for the Book Arts (thanks rigo!).

Thanks everyone for being part of the river. I'm going to update the website soon. Promise.

Lucky Wreck this Weekend

Update

I've been so busy I've barely had time to write or check in. But my grandma is going to worry pretty soon. So here we go:

My last day at GQ Magazine is tomorrow and it's breaking my heart. But I'm very excited to be starting as the Creative Director of Travel + Leisure (on the advertising side) on July 7.

This is my last week in the office:



Also Jason Pendergraft and I made our first check for a song we sold on Guiding Light. It's the song I wrote for my grandparents on their 60th wedding anniversary. Grandma, you would have been proud: We spent the money on these giant frozen margaritas.




And it looks like my third book of poetry will be published by a good house soon. I can tell you more after I look at the contract!

So, that's the news that's fit to print.

More soon after I land safely in San Francisco with both of my brothers to lead me home to Sonoma.

I'm working on a new poem.

Oh and the new Four Square came and I'm in it!

And Abraham Smith just sent me random beautiful postcards with tidbits of poems on them. They weren't signed, but I can tell they're from him. Thanks Abe!

It was a good day for mail all around.

Here's to magic and luck!

Place your bets.

New Stuff

New Poems!!



Anti Poetry


New Song!



Wave to Me

New Post on Harriet

Homesickness

New Song from Lucky Wreck

It's not perfect, but here's the new one:

Princess Funeral

I wrote this song in 2002 driving from Seattle to Stanwood in a rented car. It was raining real hard. I was trying to shake some guy I dated. Then in 2003 Ben Murphy created the guitar chords. Now Mark Evces made it his own. The picture I put up is from my mother's front yard. Her rose bush and her weeping willow in the valley.

'Nother New Post on Harriet

Latino Poetry Review

New Post on Harriet

The Fine Art of Mimicry

New Post on Harriet

Theodore Roethke & Slipping Out the Window

New Post on Harriet

The Community Word Project

Dearest, dearest Salvo metioned in Esquire:

We Grow Accustomed to the Dark--

Today I woke up blue about the world. Sadness and lowness. So I took my water sack on my soul for a walk.

First I saw this guy and I love him:



Then I ran into some beautiful friends, just sitting there like they were just for me.

Then I felt better and I saw this (the third MAGIC so far in the hood).




And then on my way to the farmers market, I saw this. And my heart was so tiny and white!




And then two more friends in the pharmacy.

And then another by the grocery store outside with all the plants around being watered and standing up straight.

And when I got home I had that poem by Emily Dickinson in my head and the last lines:

The Bravest--grope a little--
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead--
But as they learn to see--

Either the Darkness alters--
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight--
And Life steps almost straight.

Thanks for coming out!

(pics were here)

New Post on Harriet

Jimmy Santiago Baca

Listen to me....

I'm going to be on the radio in a 1/2 an hour.

It's true. Tune in:

KKUP Cupertino's "Out of Our Minds," FM 91.5

Come out tonight if you can!

We've Named the Band

Lucky Wreck

New Post on Harriet

SHOUT OUT!

New Post on Harriet

Street Art!

Thanks all!

New Post is Up on Harriet

SPRING!

Lemon & Limon Reading This Weekend!

Lovelies,


The infamous Alex Lemon is coming to town and he'll be reading from his new book Hallelujah Blackout.

Come join us for one reading, two readings? Take your pick!

Saturday, 04/19/08 Lemon & Limón Reading! (with Alex Lemon & Jerry Williams) The Ear Inn, NY, 3PM with
Guest host Jennifer L. Knox

Sunday, 04/20/08 Lemon & Limón Reading! (with Alex Lemon), The Four-Faced Liar, NY, 2:30PM with
host Shafer Hall

Come out and join us for a cocktail or a lemonade.

Click here for more information.

http://adalimon.com/Site/Readings.html

See you Saturday, or Sunday. Or both.

Big love,

Ada

Shout Out

My shout out for Abraham Smith's book was delayed on Harriet due to some technical difficulties, now we're up and running. More posts to come at the Poetry Foundation

MiPoesias!!! KNOX & ME

MiPoesias May 2008

Wow. Recipes. Pictures. Reviews. Wow. Wow.

Thanks MiPO, thanks Didi.

Starting tomorrow I try and make my way to the mainland.

Lots of poetry readings to attend. Lots of writing to be done.

Big waves. Big love.

Stranded & Humming

So, I'm stranded here. Well, not actually, but ATA went out of business and I had to shell out some mighty clams to find a ticket home on Monday. But that means my vacation has been extended, which IS VERY nice.

I've updated my website this morning while looking at the waves. New readings and reviews on there.

As for National Poetry Month Write More Challenge. This is the first year where I haven't done it. I have been keeping a journal and writing everyday, but not posting. I MIGHT change my mind. Mainly I miss writing with Jennifer L. Knox. She was my teammate for this shinding all the past years, but now, Miss Fancy Pants is writing beautiful poems this month on BLOOF BOOKS while the girls are on tour. Go see them! Say hi and bring them presents.

And Happy Birthday Deb Stein (one of my favorite people, and one of my favorite designers). You can buy me something here Bonbon Oiseau.


Readings I'd like to be at over the next couple of days:


The Bloof Girls: Shanna Compton & Jennifer L. Knox

April 4-5: IWU in Bloomington, IL

April 5: An Actual Kansas in Lawrence, KS

April 6: Murphy's Pub in Champaign, IL

April 7: Ball State & MT Cup in Muncie, IN

Alex Lemon's Book Party for Hallelujah Blackout

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 5, 2008: Doors open @ 6 PM; show starts @ 6:30 PM
Book Release Party with Chris Koza
Bryant Lake Bowl
810 W. Lake Street
tel: 612-825-8949


Acentos at KGB

Saturday, April 5 from 7-9pm.

The people who brought you the Flashers events have joined forces with Acentos for a night of spirited words.

2-n-2: NY Writers Say It in 2

12 writers
1 room
2 pages
2 poems
4.5.08 7-9pm

* * *

KGB Bar
85 East 4th Street
NYC 10003


But in the mean time. I watch the waves, look out for sharks, and do some homework in the sand.

THANKS CUTBANK!

Lovely review. Gracias. Big love.

Review of This Big Fake World

Postcards from Paradise

Aloha George.



Good morning.

I've Landed!

In San Francisco, a brief stop off before Hawaii. Ah, this is the life.

Oh. And now. I'm one year older.

I miss you, blog.

You're so nice and warm and you always smell like lemons.

Speaking in Public

Scared. Of. It.

I've been asked to blog for the Poetry Foundation. Gulp. Check it out if you want..and make comments if you'd like.

Poetry Foundation Harriet

Go.

2020 VISIONS: DAVID FLOYD, ABRAHAM SMITH, AND BRET ANTHONY JOHNSTON
March 14 – 6:30 PM

David Floyd is a former Charles D. Berwind Foundation scholar and a 2000 Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets fellowship recipient. His poems and essays have recently appeared or are forthcoming in the American Poetry Review, Born Magazine, Painted Bride Quarterly, and Xconnect, as well as other literary periodicals and anthologies. His first full-length collection, The Sudden Architecture of the Dark (CustomWords, 2006) was a finalist for the A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize. Floyd has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in creative writing and literature and is currently a visiting assistant professor of English at Saint Joseph’s University.

Abraham Smith’s first book, Whim Man Mammon, is published by Action Books (Notre Dame University, 2008). His poems appear or are forthcoming in Fence, jubilat, Denver Quarterly, Ninth Letter, Typo, APR, and Northwest Review, among others. He was a 2004-2005 Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, Massachusetts. Smith teaches English and creative writing at the University of Alabama.

Bret Anthony Johnston is the author of the internationally acclaimed Corpus Christi: Stories and the editor of Naming the World: And Other Exercises for the Creative Writer, both from Random House. In 2006 he received a National Book Award honor for emerging writers. Johnston is director of creative writing at Harvard University.

New Poems. Thanks Octopus 10.

New Poems in Octopus 10

Thanks music. Man that was fun.

Unveiling of Sonny & Gwen Tonight at Pete's Candy Store

(pic was here)

Apparently, this show is not top secret any more. It's our first official gig as just the two of us (Mark Evces & I) and well, we're just going to have a lot of fun.

Learn more about Mark (who is Jennifer L. Knox's cousin) as she blogs this week for Best American Poetry.

For Pete's Sake

That was fun. Thanks to all who came out. It was nice to be back at the old stomping grounds. Melissa and Rebecca read beautiful poems and Sommer in the loveliest host. I read a poem that I had never read aloud, in fact, I had never even shown it to anyone. So, that was interesting. Great crowd. Wow, even in a snow storm. Beautiful.

The kind of night that happens once every four years.

I'll be back at Pete's soon making some music with a friend, but I think for now, that's top secret.

So don't tell anyone.

The Lessing Table

I received a note this morning from a woman named Allison asking for a copy of this poem. Allison, it's in my first book Lucky Wreck. (You'd be a dear to buy it if you'd like, but just in case that's out of your price range..and because I understand the need for a specific poem at a specific time..here you go!). This one is very near to my heart. I wrote in 2001 while at the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center. The last tercet is in italics, but for some reason I can't make that happen here.



The Lessing Table

The dinner table was too small
and that was obvious.
We had to buy smaller forks,
smaller chairs, stop talking.

You took the saltshakers
off. I decided I’d only make
soft foods so we wouldn’t have
to use knives anymore.

It kept on shrinking for days,
the butter taking over the dinner
plates, the green beans looking
longer and mean,

until it was just a thin slip
passed between us, a note
on blue-lined binder paper
in number two pencil:

Make the train wheels lock.
Make the mobile stop.
Do something, do something.

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy 60th Birthday Momma!

Here is one of my mother's favorite poems:

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

Here is on of my favorite love poems:

Drunk As Drunk
Pablo Neruda


Drunk as drunk on turpentine
From your open kisses,
Your wet body wedged
Between my wet body and the strake
Of our boat that is made of flowers,
Feasted, we guide it - our fingers
Like tallows adorned with yellow metal -
Over the sky's hot rim,
The day's last breath in our sails.

Pinned by the sun between solstice
And equinox, drowsy and tangled together
We drifted for months and woke
With the bitter taste of land on our lips,
Eyelids all sticky, and we longed for lime
And the sound of a rope
Lowering a bucket down its well. Then,
We came by night to the Fortunate Isles,
And lay like fish
Under the net of our kisses.

Here is one of my favorite Valentine's: