<![CDATA[Michael Allyn Wells - Poet Home Website

<![CDATA[Michael Allyn Wells - Poet Home Website - Poet Notes]]>Sun, 20 Sep 2020 20:38:36 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Mid-day Sunday]]>Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:56:35 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/mid-day-sundayPoetry Submissions off and it's not even 1 p.m. yet. Time yet to read and write for the day.

Presently I am reading The Silent Woman by Janet Malcolm. Biographical work on Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. I've read so many bios on the two. Malcolm pretty much trashes Anne Stevenson's Bitter Fame. Stevenson just passed away Friday or Saturday. I'm not far into Malcolm's book to provide a critical assessment. I'd say I am open minded, but slightly critical of some of her commentary, but I'm hopeful she will provide more substance to support her statements. Stay tuned.

]]><![CDATA[Checking In]]>Sat, 15 Aug 2020 20:28:39 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/checking-inJuly and early August have been hectic to say the least. My writing has been causality of my August 4th election win for a Democrat County Committee seat. I served in that capacity for 14 years in the past as well as Chairman of the county Party. It was a lot of work - a lot of very hot days and evenings, but it was successful. Winning with 61.26% of the vote.

I have managed to finish reading Blood Sisters, a collection of poetry by Jenifer DeBellis. I recommend it. Gave it 4 stars on GoodReads.

Have a zoom reading tonight at 6 p.m. Central time. There is a link on my events page.
]]><![CDATA[What I'm Reading]]>Sat, 18 Jul 2020 22:57:39 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/what-im-reading3793536

I'm currently reading Diane Zinna fist novel. It arrived at my home on Tuesday and this is a somewhat busy and stressful time as we are coming up on the August Democratic Primary Tuesday the 4th.

I'm so proud of Diane - I can tell this. has been a labor and while I suspect in many respects it is one of love, something like this doesn't come without stress tears, and much sacrifice.

I met Diane through AWP, and she is like a household to members because of her dedication to the Writer to Writer mentorship program.

When I have finished to book I'll tell you more about it, but without spoilers.

@dianeZinna

@randomhouse

#TheAllNightSun

]]><![CDATA[We must heal...]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:47:37 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/we-must-healThe climate in the country now is depressing. The Cavid-19 pandemic, the tragic death of George Floyd and other recent police shootings cast a long shadow over the summer adear.

I only see the pandemic getting worse. People are not doing wee at face masks and social distancing. The large number of protesters is likely to kickstart the flair up again, but even around town I see many ignoring the precautions.

As to the protests - they have become pretty universal across the major cities and it is disappointing to see the carnage from the rioting. I take his family at their word when they say that George would not want to see his city torn up. There is a feeling by many that are are some agitators who have stirred up trouble - setting fires while the majority are peaceful.

It is indeed a sad time for America. We need leadership and we are not only not getting leadership, but we are getting agitation that only makes matters worse. I pray that this ends soon and we have leadership again in Washington that we can depend on. This nation needs to heal ]]><![CDATA[What I'm Reading]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:44:40 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/what-im-reading1153939

Currently I am reading Floating True by Deborah Jung. Deborah was a Writer to Writer alumni the same time I was (2017). This is her first book and it is a perfect read for the uncertain times we are trapped in. There is a centering to it. A generational span of love and memory through life that is not always so kind.

]]><![CDATA[Looking for Any Shard of Hope]]>Sun, 29 Mar 2020 01:56:35 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/looking-for-any-shard-of-hopeI've forgotten how many days I've been sheltering at home, social distancing, or whatever the hell I am doing. What I haven't forgotten is the feeling of walls closing in. Of the deep worry that clings to my stomach for the safety of my family and loved ones. I try not to dwell on the Covad19 statistics that are changing daily. I look at them from time to but i find it difficult to process in my mind that these are not numbers, but people. It's devastating.

We are coming through a period of the year that usually brings me down. SAD or seasonal affective disorder usually leaves somewhere between melancholy and out and out depressed. Baseball season should be starting and it usually ushers in a happier springtime and pushes the blues out of the way. But there is no baseball season and we don't know if MLB will play one at all this year. I'm looking for any positive sign of relief from the drudgery of the Covad19 daily sheltering from the world.

As crestfallen as I have been today, I did receive news of a poetry acceptance this afternoon. It cheered my up a bit, but these times we are going through cannot be erased by a whole trove of accepted poetry submissions. A part of me says poetry is so insignificant in light of a pandemic. On the other hand, it is the humanity of us all that is at risk, and poetry, music, literature and the arts is the sign of hope that we so greatly need.  ]]><![CDATA[Writing Amid Covid 19]]>Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:20:38 GMThttp://michaelwells.ink/poet-notes/writing-amid-covid-19It seems like it is all around us. Mostly on the two coasts, but closing in. I'm a believer. There are deniers and some not sure.

I'm trying to do all the precautions and isolate within reason, but as the numbers increase what is reason? My work is reducing the numbers in our office by rotating employees that will work from home so each of us will be in the office some times and home at others.

Disinfecting wipes are my friend, but it seems I am shedding friends at an alarming rate and there seems few if any places to find more available.

I want to stay out of stores as much as possible and I do a pretty good job of this but there are things that you suddenly realize you are out of, like shampoo. Or you need to make a trip to the pharmacy.

Writing is essentially an act of solitude in itself, but you can get up and stretch your legs and go some place to clear your head. My daily step count is way down. Mid-day and I'm under 1100 so far today. That's a sign of just how sedentary this has made me.

I found myself watching the TV series Homeland on Hulu. By watching, I mean binge watching for periods of time in the evening. This stimulates my mind a bit which is good but takes time away from writing which is not good. In the last 24 hours I have become increasingly aware of the opportunities this pandemic affords any writer, and that is to give witness to these times. This is good fodder for poetry, essay. fiction, you name it. So I will be looking for ways today, and moving forward, to make this connection with my writing.

In the meantime, I urge others, writers or not, to make good decisions among the choices afforded to us, so that we may remain safe. All of us!
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