“Cold Water” by Catherine Hires (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Nia was still sleeping when I woke up. She was snoring loudly as I crawled my way down the rickety ladder that supported my lofted bed. I walked past her bed, her open mouth smushed ungracefully against her pillow, and made my way into the kitchen. I turned on the… Continue Reading
“A Man and His Beard” by Carleton Whaley (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016June 16, 2017 I had just survived an encounter with a grease fire in my house which had burned off parts of my hair and beard, as well as most of the paint on my door. My friend Dan was with me, and after we both cleaned spilled oil off the floor he… Continue Reading
On Reading More Slowly, Child’s Play, and Understanding Languages: An Interview with Susan Stewart (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 6, 2025 Susan Stewart – American poet, Princeton professor, Genius Award recipient – visited UConn as our 2015 Wallace Stevens poet on April 1st. I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions on her work and influences. Through her answers, I came to a greater understanding not only of her… Continue Reading
“I am first a creature of the imagination” An interview with Benjamin Grossberg (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 I had the opportunity to ask this year’s guest of the Writers Who Edit, Editors Who Write Series, Benjamin Grossberg. Supplement your experience of his reading with his answers, and read them alone – Ben is personable and passionate, and a truly unique voice in modern poetry. A Polish… Continue Reading
Happy Chinese New Year by Steph Koo LRR, February 7, 2016February 8, 2025 The supermarket was packed yesterday. Today, Mom is preparing food. I select music for a playlist for tonight’s guests. We are complaining about cleaning the house. No, it is not because it is Superbowl Sunday. This year, overshadowed by an American pastime I never quite understood, Chinese New Year Eve… Continue Reading
“Wild Eyes” by Bryan Schreber (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Gold shines; illuminated under the setting sun. Artificial lights flicker, giving birth to the night. Terrifying smiles giving life to inanimate faces. Wide, wild eyes staring. Creatures dancing; spiraling towards infinity. Children ensnared by dream fulfillment. Petite fingers clutching the faces of tiny monsters. Continue Reading
“Too Old” by Patricia Haggard (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016June 16, 2017 Fifteen is too old to ride a merry-go-round, too old for this twirling coffee-painted pony to take me back to last June, to the machine that spins dizzying circles, as I stand at the head of my friend’s hospital bed, holding her swollen, peeling hand. The whoosh of the machine… Continue Reading
“Summer Long Gone” by Linda Drake (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 We were sun-baked and freckled in our halter tops and shorts. Salty from swimming the day away. Full of energy after corn-on-the cob and BLT’s. Eager to ride the merry-go-round at Sound View. Joking about who would catch the unreachable golden ring. Giddy as Grandpa bought us glazed doughnuts for… Continue Reading
“Merry Go Round” by MaryLynn Haggard (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 I play on the merry-go-round as the fire on the round ball sets. It gleams and glows pink and red. It looks like a pretty rainbow. Thunder, my horse, is attached to the glowing Merry-go-Round. Through the clouds I see lots of diamonds. They are so sparkly and clear. The… Continue Reading