The Grand Finale

Crystal Condakes closes us out, joined by longtime contributing artist Ira Joel Haber. Thank you all for reading Oddball Magazine this Wednesday.

I Had Issues! My Review of Inky Stories #1

A silly old review of a mini by David Marshall, who is a friend in the local arts scene. I can't wait for the day he surprises the world with an original graphic novel. He's never mentioned having one in the works, but I can dream.  Originally published September 22, 2012. Edited for clarity.

August 30: Memorial for Bill Barnum

There will be a celebration of Bill Barnum's life held by his family at the First Parish in Brookline (382 Walnut Street in Pierce Hall) on Friday August 30 from 11:15 AM to 1:30 PM. Those interested in attending can join the event's Facebook page here.

To quote the event page:

The service will last approximately an hour, 11:15-12:15, followed by a reception with tea, coffee, and light refreshments. Family and friends will share memories of Bill and selected poems.

There will be dancing!

Please join us in honoring Bill's shining spirit, his artistry, and his love. All are welcome.

Because people may have a hard time taking time off of work for the event (or have other Labor Day weekend plans), Stone Soup will plan a follow-up tribute in September. There will be more updates soon.

An Exciting Beginning

We start off Wednesday's poetry with a striking poem by April March Penn. She's accompanied with artwork by Bill Wolak. Thanks for helping us get started today at Oddball Magazine.

Annoying Thought of the Day

I think my body is in an abusive relationship with my work ethic.

When You Want Forgiveness Too Much: My Boston Poetry Marathon Pastiche Poem

Navah The Buddaphliii helping to start off the Boston Poetry Marathon on Friday.

Normally, I do a weekly series on my blog called Stone Soup Croutons, poems created from half-heard lines, impressions and images from poems read on the Stone Soup Poetry open mic.  Last year, I decided to do a similar poem on the last day of the Boston Poetry Marathon.

This year, I tried to do it again, only this time starting Friday. This was not only my first attempt at trying to do a Croutons-type poem for all three days of the Marathon. It was also the first time I would attempt to stay for the entirety of all three days, all while giving my own eight minute reading and taking photos and video throughout the event.

The 411 on E40

Flemmings Beaubrun gives us a condensed look at the prolific rapper in this week's Epic Autims over at Oddball Magazine.

New Special Day on the Office Calendar!

Jason Wright completes another chapter in his Anxiety Chronicles. It's in his latest Jagged Thought, up now at Oddball Magazine.

On Time (so far)

Here's returning poet Louis Marin coupled with the return of contributing photographer Glenn Bowie. Welcome to the first poem of the week at Oddball Magazine.

Work Being Done

Working on something fun when I can. You may see it later this morning, you may see it much later. We'll see.

Crossover Time?

What's in the latest guerrilla comic strip from Geoffrey Fallon? A special guest star, perhaps? Read "The Secrets of Skinny People" today at Oddball Magazine.

From Picture to Page: Final Lap

Took this picture the first night of the Boston Poetry Marathon, wrote this poem today post-Marathon morning.

Final Lap

Good tip for last run:
Never let anyone in
on your win

August 22: Stone Soup Keeps Trying to Beat the Heat

I've had a hard time sharing news this summer, but I want to get this news of this Thursday's Stone Soup out early. Mostly because there's going to be a lot of news this week. I hope you can join us for an open week of open mic and optional workshop. We have air conditioning. It's the least we can do for you during this hot summer.

Eating Time!

Here's Bill Harvey with is comic strip "The Odds" kicking off a new week at Oddball Magazine.

Reading at the Boston Poetry Marathon

Special thanks to Gale Batchelder for taking some pictures of me during my eight minute slot.

This Week's Much Less Friendly Reminder

If you read the following bumper sticker and start hemming and hawing about how "That's not 100% true," then you need to be reminded.

"I.C.E. Runs Concentration Camps for Children."

This Week's Friendly Reminder

Okay, maybe not too friendly, but we can't forget the work we need to do.

Post-Marathon Daze

The Marathon is over. I'm exhausted and thrilled. Thanks to everyone who attended.

Nothing may go up time today, or for the rest of th eweek. Nothing may work right moving forward. I'm catching up a lot.

Thanks for your patience.

Wisdom and More Wisdom

Bruce Wise is back with his Wise Words poem column to close out Oddball Magazine.  Thank you for stopping by this week, whatever it is you clicked on this week.

The poetry is done on the journal, but if you want more poetry in general, and you live in Boston or the New England area in general, you could check out the Boston Poetry Marathon this weekend.

I don't usually hijack an Oddball post with other stuff, but I'm involved in the event, and I want lovers of poetry to attend.

The festivities start tonight. Click here for the schedule and more information.

Starting with Hope (or not?)

Janet Cormier's Bamboozled No More! is kicking off Friday at Oddball Magazine.

Stone Soup Croutons, 8-15-19, Trump in New Hampshire

Stone Soup Croutons is a weekly poem I write using lines and impressions picked up from poems overheard from Stone Soup's open mic readers and features. I figure out a title (and sometimes the rest of the poem) later. You can read the other ones I've done since 2015 here. To paraphrase Lorne Michaels, this poem doesn't go up because it's ready, it goes up because it's Friday morning.

 Stone Soup had an open mic last night. Tonight is the Boston Poetry Marathon. Admittedly, all my energy is focusing on that even thought I have to work to do today, including this poem. It was a small poem last night, hence the small poem. Had some fun with it based on the news in my inbox. The fact that Gawaine Ross started with an E.E. Cummings poem helped.

I'm planning an ambitious Croutons-style piece for this year's marathon like the one I did last year. If I screw it up, you won't hear me discussing it ever again. For now, here's my little poem, and thanks for reading.


Trump in New Hampshire

Republican wind
blows room apart
windows only close.

Getting There

Over the years I have gotten far more tolerant of summer. Especially with events to look forward to like Ron's workshops and this weekend's Boston Poetry Marathon.

This has lent to greater productivity over a period of time where I usually feel pretty depressed and listless. 

Given last summer's move, I've probably earned the right to just stay locked away by myself in a dark room for three months.

And yet I've moved myself away from wanting that. Even last summer, when everything was happening, I was much more upbeat than I had any right to be.

I was proud of myself for last year, and this year I'm pleased with myself for being who I am now and learning to use this stretch of time the best that I can.

But.

I am nearing the end of my tolerance for this season.

I feel like I'm at the end of my threshold for all this heat.

I don't care if I am a seething pile of rage until Labor Day. I just need to last a few more days of positivity.

A week?

Just another week.

T.G.I.F.

Please. Just please. Before he invades Greenland or does whatever else he wants to do this week.

 Art by DL Polonsky

It's Coming Up

See you at Stone Soup tonight.

The Big Day by Chance The Rapper

Read the latest review by Lizi Von Teig. The latest Feedback is up at Oddball Magazine.

From 1993

An old poem that still speaks to us today is James Van Looy's latest offering. Read It's All One Thing now at Oddball Magazine.
 

August 15: Stone Soup Welcomes All Poets

Stone Soup's all-open mic is  is happening tonight. The Boston Poetry Marathon is happening this Friday. If you're a poet in town for the event, I hop you have time to stop by tonight, introduce yourself and read a little. It will help promote the Marathon and get more people to go. Plus you get more time to read poetry in Boston. Everybody wins! See you tonight?

Happy Birthday Chris Warner

We have to get you back into Oddball. And Stone Soup.

August 20: The First and Last Word Poetry Series

This coming Tuesday. Information courtesy of Harris Gardner.

Where do You Come From?

Jacques Fleury is up with a timely piece, with artwork by Gunjan Bhardwaj. Read it now at Oddball Magazine. Thanks for reading us this Wednesday.

I Had Issues! My Fifth Comic Book Haiku

With the Shazam movie out now, I should point out that the contents in the comic lacked any of the playfulness in the film version. I think it's due to Geoff Johns' tone deaf writing mixed with Gary Frank making everyone look a little crazy. If felt kind of...hateful. I stand by what meager words I had for this book at the time. Originally published September 20, 2012.

Something New for Wednesday

Let's welcome poet J. H. Johns to our forum. Tagging along is artist Judson Evans. Thanks for stopping by for another Wednesday at Oddball Magazine.

Doing the Timely Thing

My poem "Jeffrey Epstein Jesus Tanka" is up now at Indolent Books' What Rough Beast. Thanks again to Michael Broder.
 

Boston Poetry Marathon This Weekend, August 16 to 18

I just wanted to post this new graphic. Made by Zachary Bos I do believe.

It's at the Community Church of Boston this year.

A Boston poetry event that's actually in Boston! How novel! I love it.

Visit their website for more information.

Sending Out Two Poems

I'm glad it's taking me a while to edit tankas. It helps assure me that my editing chops are back up.

Hopefully, I'll get some publication announcements this week.

Morning Update

Now he's sitting across from home, clapping his hands and yelling "Momma!"

Over and over again.

And he's yelling for the police. Saying "Sorry" over and over again.

I think someone's calling.

Good Morning

A man is walking around our neighborhood clapping his hands and yelling out "Yeaaah!" Or "Daaaaaad!" Or "Deeeeeb!' Then clapping his hands and saying "F--k iiiiii!" And other things.

The start of a day off is perfect no matter how it starts.

What Flemmings Dug Up for Today

Check out Flemmings Beaubrun's latest Epic Autism Report column, up now at Oddball Magazine.

Brave New World Ahead

Check out Jason Wright's latest Jagged Thought poem column over at Oddball Magazine.

Poetry Up

Sandip Saha returns alongside photographer by fellow returning contributor Jennifer Matthews. We appreciate you coming for the ride at Oddball Magazine.

Tell Me More

Found this randomly on the ground last week.

"You could always be taller, you know..."

I just stared at the note, going, Yes?  Yes?!?
 

A Moment of Unimpressive Graffiti

Eh. A little vague in it's message. Too many people could find it too offensive in this day and age. Be more specific next time.

 

Boston Poetry Marathon 2019 This Weekend

 Not only is this annual Boston gathering of poets thriving under the direction of Suzanne Mercury and Bridget Eileen, but this year the Boston Poetry Marathon is taking place from August 16 -August 19 in a brand new location. This year the poets gather in Copley Square at the Community Church of Boston. Not only do I read on Saturday at 1:16 PM, but I'm also proud to be one of the photographers helping to document the event for it's various media pages. Follow their Instagram page,  their Twitter page,and their Facebook page. Then check out the schedule for this weekend. You should go every day to see as many poets as possible.

Found Another One

Found this sticker in Jamaica Plain near the Green Street T stop.

I hope this sticker with this hashtag keeps coming up.

#unfairhikes