L'aura del Campo

Autumn: 5 Qudrat (November 8)

2005-11-08
vespers, 77 degrees. 48 in Olean, NY.

Sharon Backos emailed me today that her ex-husband died November 1st, so my poem on Jason's death hit her a bit hard. Never know how poetry affects people. I explained to Prof. Klayder that reading the poem Ted Kooser wrote about his father on February 26th was haunting for me because that was the same day my father died. Odd reaction on my part.

Obit link for James "cole" Young of Allegany, NY:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15530442&BRD=2725&PAG=461&dept_id=5627...

Prof. Klayder liked my poem "A homeless death" but reviews and suggestions are always welcome. Hilda Enoch suggested I be more specific than 'rotting fruit'. Would 'rotting grapes' be better? Perhaps. I'll think about that. Her point was that specific is better. And usually that is true! On the other hand, Sharonbythesea felt that it was cold as if I wasn't connected to Jason. That too is a good comment because it was meant to be cold. Dying in a shelter is a cold event. There's nothing warm and fuzzy about it. The poem wasn't about Jason of course, only his death. To honor his life in a poem I'd have to capture his wit. And he's not here to use it on me! The title has been changed. It's now: "Picking up the trash" 

2005-11-08
morning, 74 degrees. 34 in Missoula, MT.

Met with my professor this morning. We talked about the poetry of Ted Kooser and his presentation last week. I have an assignment to spend the next two weeks doing a series of poems. Unfortunately, I'm not thrilled nor inspired at the moment.

Tulips are being planted in front of the library. It is sunny and warm. Last year it was cold. Spoke to Mario Andrade who sells woolens from Bolivia each year on campus. Cold weather would be better for his business.

Ate two more persimmons. Folks nowadays go to the store or restaurant to eat. In the 'old days' food was eaten in season. NOW is the season of persimmons.

Wish I knew why sugared figs are on my mind. Knew where to get them on the way to school when I lived in Costa Rica.

OVERHEARD

"You turn down the happy meter, just that much." Eric Hyde re living in the city and not being close to nature.

SENSED YESTERDAY:

Okra in bloom; fragrant tobacco flowers; yellow stella d'oro; orange daylily; oak leaves still green; bottles of liquor on the fence; potato knish.