Discovering Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss"

This poem was originally published in the Spring 2008 edition of The Broad River Review, the literary journal for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.  It is dedicate to Stephanie Corrine Ramirez, my wonderful wife and the wonderful mother to our two children, Gabriella and Nicholas.

Nine years ago on this day, I proposed to Stephanie, and eight years ago tomorrow will mark our eighth anniversary.  I cannot justifiably express how beautiful she is both internally and externally along with how supportive she has been with my poetry, with my career, and with countless other things in the time that I have known her.  For anyone familiar with Scripture, Stephanie is a Proverbs 31 wife, and she has mirrored the nature of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ better than anyone I have ever known.  She always finds new ways to be beautiful, and as I have told her, it was her looks that caught my attention but it was her heart that made me fall in love with her. 

So I will close with these words directed specifically for my wife: Stephanie, I love you.  Happy Anniversary.

To view the poem and hear it read, please click on the following link:
http://classmedia.scccd.edu/gr003/camtasia/Discovering_Gustav_Klimts_The_Kiss_-_20131001_143905_5.html

Good News from San Luis Obispo

The other day, I found out that one of my poems will be included in if&when, a fairly new literary journal out of San Luis Obispo, California. 

Guest Poetry Lecture at Fresno Pacific University

Today, I had the great fortune to visit the poetry course at Fresno Pacific University.  Dr. Eleanor Nickel allowed me to guest lecture.  It was a great experience, as the students gave me "snapping fingers," a Beatnik variation on applause that I don't believe I had ever gotten from a group of people after reading my poems.  Among the poems I shared were "Chorizo," "September 10th," "Discovering Gustav Klimt's The Kiss," "Musings on a Multiethnic Moon," and "Night at Hume Lake."

The group of students asked great questions, and I had an awesome time sharing my poetry and discussing what it takes to write poetry.  I would like to thank Dr. Nickel and her class again for having me visit. 

Good News from Hawai'i

I just found out yesterday that one of my poems will be published in Hawai'i Pacific Review, a literary magazine published through Hawai'i Pacific University.  Considering I found out that three of my poems will be published in Missouri, this has been a good month for me. 

As always, I thank God for these publications and those who are supportive of my poetry, especially my wife Stephanie.

Good News from Missouri

I just got news that three of my poems will be published in Cantos, a literary magazine published through Missouri Baptist University.  This is exciting, as this is the first publication I have had in almost two years. 

Pakatelas Radio Show

This posting is to inform those interested that I will be a guest on the Pakatelas Radio Show (hosted by local poet Mike Medrano) on Thursday, December 22nd, which airs on 88.1 FM (KFCF) from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

9/11 - Ten Years Later

Today is the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.  Even though I never saw the Twin Towers, have never been to New York City, and did not have a friend or a relative who died on that day, those tragic events will always weigh heavily on my heart.  I cling to what Alan Autry, who was Fresno's mayor at the time, said on that day at a special service held at People's Church: "Today, we are all New Yorkers."

Last Wednesday, I had the chance to read a reflective essay that Brian Doyle recently wrote for the Patriot Day Ceremony at Madera Community College Center.  He once said at a reading where I met him that he lost three friends that day.  The first thing I ever read of his was an essay on the victims at the World Trade Center titled "Leap," which you can read at this link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/faith/questions/leap.html

Another great essay that I have taught was Pete Hamill's "Band of Brothers: Faces of Honor," which addresses the firefighters who died on September 11th.  You can read it at this link:
http://www.petehamill.com/nydnews92301.html

Of course, on this blog is a streaming video of my poem, "September 10th."  For me, that poem is bittersweet; while I am proud of the poem I wrote, I am not happy that those horrific attacks served as its inspiration. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost someone dear to them on that day.