Women Writers

Must Reads

2008-08-19T03:39:00.008-04:00

So I wanted to pass on some recent 'must reads.' Would love to hear about yours as well!

Dawn Comer's blog Jam on Bread. Her post SwapFire Writer's Retreat 2008 is mesmerizing and sensual.

Alice Azure's print book In Mi'kmaq Country (2007), reviewed online. Her poems about Grandmother Spider are amazing--intricately woven and spiritually striking.

Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers listserv via Yahoo Groups. A great network of weathered and 'green' native writers. Insightful thread this month about independent and mainstream publishing.

So what suggestions have you for 'must reads'? I look forward to checking them out!

The last time I saw my father (or Waiting)

2008-08-11T20:24:00.002-04:00

The last time I saw my father, it was a hot day in mid-July, just a month ago. He and my step-mother had driven six hours north to retrieve his car from me. The car he was supposed to get last October. I wanted it gone, this reminder of him. How do I explain ... there is much I have forgiven, but still so much I cannot yet forgive. The car was not a generous gift, but a loan with a million strings attached. Strings I have been trying to detach since I was ten.

But he came here, finally, and the day was spent sweating and squinting, charging the dead battery, replacing flat tires, making small talk. All talk is small with him, empty of meaning. He lacks the depth I always longed for him to have. He has always disappointed. Promises were meant to be broken, with him, gifts to burden, lies to soften the inevitable blow. He cannot be who I wanted him to be, who I dreamed he was in my childhood.

He was once my hero; now he is always the villain, and I am angry for still loving him, for still secretly needing him to care. So angry that I avoid his phone calls, keep visits to a minimum, and call him by his first name behind his back. So angry and yet so sad. In this disappointment lives a little girl who just wanted to be good enough to be loved.

This trip was no different than the others before it. Every time I find, upon reflection, that I still dream he will change and he will love me for who I am... a lesson I have not learned myself. Maybe what I am really waiting for is the day that I stop waiting for him to change and learn to love him despite his imperfections, and maybe that will be enough.

MI PAPÁ

2008-08-11T09:35:00.005-04:00

La junta de mujeres escritoras de Agosto 10- 2008
fue especial. El tema para nuestro primer poema
fue (La ultima ves que viste a tu papa.)
La mayoría del grupo somos mujeres con edad de 25 a 55 anos.
Mi poema fue asi

MI PAPÁ

Fragil figura inerte en su aposento
Alma angustiosa...
Refleja en su fas la inquietante pregunta.
Sufrimiento agobiante...
Si!...Anela el alivio de su pesada carga.
Lloro en silencio...
Siento su aliento al tocar su pecho,
que palpita anelante
en presuroso paso.
No encuentro palabras para expresar lo que siento.
Pero mis manos palpan,
aun su bello rostro.
Cuantas beses te busque sin encontrarte,
y sufrí inmensamente tu abandono.
Hoy mis lagrimas como
una serena lluvia riegan tu cuerpo.
Y asi dan alivio a nuestras almas.
Perdón sin palabras, pues hay veces
a las palabras se las lleva el viento.
Al final de nuestro gran momento,
salgo, dejándote con un beso.
Y retengo para siempre en mi mente
la ultima brillante luz amorosa de
tus ojos verdes.

"The last time I saw my father..."

2008-08-11T04:17:00.002-04:00

Whenever our nearly-weekly group Women Writers gathers, we begin with a writing prompt. A priority for us is time for writing! The most recent prompt was

"The last time I saw my father..."

--a very powerful prompt indeed. Here is what I wrote in reply:

Nancy Allen * 3 August

2008-07-30T02:59:00.003-04:00

The Gallery Walk performance art series at Everybody Reads Books and Stuff happens this Sunday, 3 August, at 2pm. (ER is located on E. Michigan Ave. of Lansing, MI, next to the Gone Wired Cafe.)

Featured is poet NANCY ALLEN who is joined by her daughters Courtney and Katie:

Ms. Allen's poetry has been published by

The New Citizens Press

and The Sunshine Lady Foundation. She partnered in conceptualizing and organizing the program Words of Hope and Healing (April 2008), which resulted in two performances that benefited the Women's Center of Greater Lansing.

Various Women Writers also are sharing poems. And YOU too are invited to read! Ms. Allen calls on words that "celebrate poetry, life, love and words of hope and healing."

Earth Charter Oneness Book Project

2008-07-29T13:31:00.003-04:00

I came across an interesting web site for The Peace and Collaborative Development Network.

It posts a Global Call for Submissions: Earth Charter Oneness Book Project, which sounds incredible.

The goal date for first considerations is 15 August.

Aug 13-17 * Writing Workshop

2008-07-25T02:32:00.003-04:00

Good news! The Leaven Center, located in Lyons, MI, is offering a writing workshop very soon! If you have yet to visit, Leaven's retreat lodge neighbors the Grand River and a lively stretch of forest. Here is the latest announcement from Leaven about the workshop:: We are happy to welcome back Anya Achtenberg and Demetria Martinez, who will lead the writing workshop Telling the Truth About Our Lives: The Art of Autobiography, August 13-17, at The Leaven Center. The workshop is filling up, but we have space for a few more! You will find an interview with Anya in Leaven Notes, in which she explains the importance of autobiographical writing in our lives and to social justice work.

June & July Poetry - DotP

2008-07-23T05:57:00.002-04:00

I recently published poetry on my web site Dey of the Phoenix:: *What Women Know About Love
*Fear

24 July * POETRY in the City

2008-07-21T05:52:00.002-04:00

A fabulous event kicks off this week in Lansing, Michigan: POETRY IN THE CITY; POETRY on the Capitol Steps,
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 7-9 p.m.

Who: Calling all poets and lyricists to perform on Lansing's Capitol steps at "Poetry in the City at the Capitol “. A new generation of language artists are shaping new thought processes through a common love of poetry and spoken word. This event is free and open to the public.

What: Poetry in the City at the Capitol Performance will be hosted by the coordinator of the Nu Poet Collective and Publisher of The New Citizens Press, Rina Risper. There will also be a special performance by The Nu Poet Collective and feature by Text Me TV’s Host, Logic. There’s an opportunity to participate for everyone. Out of town poets receive first up on the mic.

When: Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where: On the steps of the Capitol at Michigan Avenue in Lansing, MI. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket

Why: We are living to be heard by the rest of the people who understand that a tremor can be created with words.

How: To enter, e-mail me a list of those who plan on reading. (Please include "Poetry in the City – June 24th" in the subject line of your email.)(All material must be in spoken word form).

Make history on the steps where laws are made. Make your voice heard. Join us there to either share a word or hear a word. For more information, please call 517.372.8466.

Other PIC events will be:

Thursday, August 7th at Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, 7-9, & Thursday, September 18 at Shabazz Academy from 5-7

This program is funded in part by The Lansing Jaycees and The New Citizens Press. It’s program of the NorthWest Initiative.

Susan Harris * 13 July

2008-07-09T18:42:00.002-04:00

This Sunday, 13 July, at Lansing's Everybody Reads book store, Susan Harris debuts her poetry compilation The Substance of Things (Hoped For). The event begins at 2pm. If I wasn't in Belgium, I would be there!!

After finishing my starter read of TSoT(HF) in its entirety, I say: amazing,
beautiful,
sonorous,
and plaited perfectly.; Way to go, Susan! Enjoy the solo limelight for all your words this weekend.

Still Kickin'

2008-06-29T21:06:00.002-04:00

I'm glad to say that Women Writers is still kickin' up words on a regular basis! Our online publishing, though, is not a regular happenin' these days. Before the summer is out, we may share some poems, thoughts on writing, journal entries, or what-knot.

My poem These are the things women know about love is now published on my personal web site Dey of the Phoenix.

Debuts

2008-04-14T08:18:00.004-04:00

My new web site is now available!

Dey of the Phoenix

http://deyofthephoenix.com

Visit to share your thoughts on this work in progress!

THE NEW CITIZENS PRESS

Want to read real stories about our world and share your thoughts? Check out the new comment function on The New Citizens Press! In TNCP we find honest looks at everyday people alongside public figures.

Wellness Expo

2008-04-07T09:51:00.001-04:00

Check out the Women Writers booth at the Body, Spirit, Mind Wellness Expo this Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 5pm at Edgewood United Church. To download the Expo flyer (in PDF), click here.

Lisa Sayles (Women in the Arts Festival) and I are selling poetry! We also will give info about Lansing-area poetry happenings. Visit us, bring a smile - and if you have it - a few dollars ;>)!

Nancy Brandon is the organizer of this event, the first to be held on an annual basis, as a fundraiser for her stem cell treatment of Parkinson's.

Take Back the Night 2008

2008-04-06T10:58:00.004-04:00

Updated 5:40pm

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A calendar with Lansing-area events is available through the MSU Sexual Assault Program.

The annual gathering Take Back the Night happens this Tuesday, 4/8, in the Lansing area.

A coalition of advocates and survivors have planned activities taking place from morning to evening on the campus of Michigan State University (East Lansing). For the full schedule, visit the Womyn's Council Events web page!!

Words of Hope and Healing

2008-04-02T08:15:00.004-04:00

Don't miss the spectacular event Words of Hope and Healing happening this week in the Lansing area!

The performances - scheduled this week only: Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4 - include music, poetry, dance and more by survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Women Poets!!

2008-03-31T15:41:00.002-04:00

Read about CALYX, A Journal of Art and Literature by Women!

And check out its contest currently accepting submissions through May 31:

2008 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize

http://www.calyxpress.org/lois.html

Going Global

2008-03-27T07:41:00.003-04:00

Check out this worldwide poetry hub called Poetry International Web!

There's an online newsletter (free subscription!) and insights from poets across the globe.

I hope to visit PIW's annual festival (June) this year (fingers crossed!).

New Authors!

2008-03-25T19:41:00.002-04:00

Readers, the WW blog is beginning a new era with new authors!

I meet with a wonderful set of persons on a regular basis to fine-tune our writing, and some participants will begin authoring on this online journal.

It's an exciting time, and I am soon to launch my new blog Dey of the Phoenix. Until then, look for me here and on MySpace deyofthephoenix.

Changes

2008-03-21T08:54:00.003-04:00

The lull is over for the Women Writers blog!

TRANSFORMATIONS

Soon I will be launching a new blog titled Dey of the Phoenix! And the Women Writers blog is continuing in an altered state...

By April, the blog is becoming a space for an amazing group of individuals! In March we began meeting as the group Women Writers. We bring our prose and poetry to the table for feedback; we write together with original prompts; we pool our experiences about performance and publishing.

I'm proud to share that we are quite an accomplished set of persons:

published in Thirdeye Magazine (Jul 07) and The New Citizens Press (Sep 07, Jan 08, Mar 08)

in total, self-published 5 chapbooks (soon to be 6!)

featured at Women in the Arts Festival (Nov 06, Nov 07), Domestic Violence Vigils (Oct 06, Oct 07), and out-of-state (May 07)

organizers of poetry open mics East Side Poetry (Magdalena's Tea House, last Wednesdays), Survivin' & Thrivin' (Nov 06 to Dec 07), and First Sunday Gallery Walk performance art at Everybody Reads (began Jan 08, about how it started)

organizers of poetry and community events (Words of Hope and Healing, SPEAK OUT! for Safety, HerStories of Pleasure and Pain)

writing prize winner (details soon to come!)

Stay tuned to the Women Writers Blog to learn more about us individually and what's happening in Lansing, Michigan's poetry scene!

The Horizon

2008-01-07T09:04:00.001-05:00

Note: edited Mar. 21

EAST SIDE POETRY OPEN MIC

ESP moves to last Wednesdays in 2008! ESP regulars of Magdalena's Tea House partner up with Open Stage Night.

Sign-up 7pm; performance 7:30pm.

KEEPING WOMEN SAFE

Lansing's 2008 City Council prepares to follow up on preventing violence against women. See The Lansing State Journal article from 30 Dec 2007:

"Council may tackle domestic violence: Victim's lobbying could result in ad hoc committee" by Susan Vela

Eastsiders are inviting you to NorthStar Center at 7:30pm on Tues., Jan. 8, to keep womYn safe in our neighborhood. Here are some details from their invite (hyperlinks added by me):

North Star Community Center has accepted our request to use the space for this newly forming organization focused on combating the increase of violence against womyn here in our neighborhoods.

Some of the goals we wish to reach are education and organization around sex work (prostitution) and the womyn sex work effects, as well as a Take Back The Night event for all womyn and womyn-bodied individuals in the spring!!!

Our first meetings will be about brainstorming, honing the group's mission, finding a new name for the group, pulling together contacts to build bridges, research on our issues, and getting the ball rolling for spring.

Day of Unity

2007-12-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

On October 1, 2007, I hosted an event titled SPEAK OUT for Safety at Michigan's State Capitol building in Lansing. The anti-violence advocates, survivors, and neighbors who took part shared a wealth of intellect and heart on the matters at hand: neighborhood safety and preventing violence against women.

I recently uploaded photos taken by Paul Potts and Anaya Keaton at this event. They are available via my Anti-Violence Advocacy album on Flickr.

October 1 is The Day of Unity for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And the SPEAK OUT was an excellent instance of people allying - across neighborhoods and communities - to promote safety for everyone. I still draw upon that event's strength when I envision possible positive change, with the hope that no one else will be violated of violence.

Click! Click! Click!

2007-12-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

Pictures now available on Dey of the Phoenix (MySpace , see Artists album) from...

DeShaun Snead's Love Show (15 Dec) @ Scene Metro Space

and East Side Poetry Open Mic (18 Dec) @ Magdalena's Tea House.

Finalz 4 Me

2007-12-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

EAST SIDE POETRY OPEN MIC

Tonight is the final ESP Open Mic I'm organizing at Magdalena's Tea House.

DeShaun Snead, smashin' jazz artist who just featured in The Love Show (Scene, 15 Dec), is hosting the evening! 7:30pm sign-up, 8pm reading, $5 cover.

Proprietor Miko Fossum plans to carry on this three-year-old, once-a-month venue for poets and poetry admirers, so stay tuned to Mag's web site for an update! My deepest appreciation to Miko and the invited hosts since April

Erin McLaughlin, Amanda Dubey, and Chris Pereira (May); John Thompson (Jun); Franny Howes (Jul); Lisa Sayles (Aug), Gianni "Tupaco" Risper (Sep), and Susan Harris (Nov).

KEEPING WOMEN SAFE "CAMPAIGN"

Much thanks to every person who gave support as I urged Lansing local officials to prioritize preventing violence against women (mid-August to early December).

When I sent my first letter to Mayor Bernero (15 Aug), I had no idea what laid ahead (see Facts from the Campaign below). But the efforts were fruitful due to the commitment and risk-taking stamina of many golden-hearted individuals.

...AND I'm glad to say that strong women and allies are working to keep women safe in our community!

FACTS FROM THE VAW CAMPAIGN

month-long silent treatment by the Mayor and my Council Member Harold Leeman (Ward 1),

letter received from the Mayor one week after I filed a citizen's complaint about his violating Obligations of Leadership according to Lansing's City Charter,

steadfast support from Rina Risper, President and Publisher of The New Citizen Press,

meeting strong women at City Hall who prioritize this safety issue, including Jessica Narodowiec and Anne Hodges,

consistent communication with and assistance offered by Council Member Carol Wood,

collaborating with local and state anti-violence advocates and survivors of violence for the SPEAK OUT for Safety (Oct. 1),

nonprofit director Joan Nelson confirming to me that she instructed her staff not to attend the SPEAK OUT for Safety on behalf of the Allen Neighborhood Center,

holding historic meetings with Lansing City Council Committees, which yielded a 2008 sub-committee for follow-through on suggestions to prevent violence against women,

nonprofit director Susan Shoultz pulling out EVE Inc. from the Committee of the Whole dialogue (one week and a half prior), followed by a phone apology (two weeks later) if I took this action "personally," and her continued refusal to meet in person with mediators.

Momentos

2007-12-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

2007 offered me plenty of memorable moments including...

first solo feature performance (OKC, OK)

summertime in the Flemish city of Leuven

first time driving on the left side of the road (July trip to UK)

invitation from Prof. Leonora Smith to talk with her MSU students about my community work and poetry

first nonacademic publication: The Red White and Blue

unexpected company by City Hall elevator: Lansing's Mayor Virg Bernero on the day I filed a citizen's complaint (about his violating the City Charter under his obligations of leadership)!

More fun factoids about 2007 are available at MySpace blog Dey of the Phoenix under the Dec. 10 post Year in Review. Topics include gorgeous people, Survivin' & Thrivin', and my gratitude list.

Praise for BIE!

2007-12-07T08:45:00.000-05:00

From Leonora Smith, author of Spatial Relations:: Melissa Dey Hasbrook’s poetry comes from her strong, relentless voice—a voice that rises not from the throat but from deep inside the body—from the solar plexus and the womb. Mad, damn mad, and sometimes wonderfully sassy: “I’d like to see Donald Trump make a toilet bowl shine,” she says: that’s what it means to be “unskilled labor.”

It’s no accident that the first poem in Hasbrook’s Blame it on Eve! opens with an epigraph from poet/feminist/political activist Susan Griffin. There are notes from other street corners in this book: call and response to the Beats’ harangues, to the slam scene’s tough percussions, to the protests of the working man and woman, and to all the never-back-down feminist poets who used their voices to name injustices and keep naming them until men and other women were forced to listen.

Hasbrook’s kind of “edgy” poem is honed like the edge of a blade to slice through crap, to stand off wife beaters, and to dismantle fences at the borders before Bush has time to put them up. It’s clear why she invokes Griffin, whose poem, “I Like to Think of Harriet Tubman,” ends with the lines “there is always a time/for retribution/and that time/is beginning.”

Hasbrook’s voice hits this and other notes, but her poetry is not the work of yesterday; it is the poetry of now. Like some other poets of her generation, Hasbrook is using her poetry as a way of imaging and making a space in this “post-emancipation proclamation nation” where the words poet/feminist/activist don’t need backslashes. And this is where you find the sweetness in this book: generosity, gratitude—running strong and deep beneath the surfaces—hope that her words are making it possible for others to find a solid place to stand.