The RoZone: Right Back to It

Get in losers, we're writing poems again.

Hi everyone!

First of all, thanks so much for being flexible as I navigate the day job/ Substack/ everything combo.

As the weather warms and I dig myself out of the day job/ winter depression combo, it is once again occurring to me how cool it is that I have this Substack as a digital container.

I’ve been writing poetry again, so I wanted to talk about what’s helped me get back into it. I also wanted to take a minute to demystify the idea that creation is constant

First things first: I didn’t write a poem for seven months. I was still around poetry, I hosted open mics and read my friends poems, but something about my own practice felt stale. It felt like a pair of jeans that I’d loved, but outgrown, it was digging into my thighs in all the wrong ways. It felt embarrassing to try again after so much time had passed, but there was also this weird sense of pressure, I felt an audience now. Poetry wasn’t just between me and my journal anymore.

Part of why I wrote Supernormal Stimuli is because I needed a break. I needed to try something that felt new and fresh. I didn’t want to fall back on old tricks and produce Referential Body 2: Pandemic Boogaloo. So, I spent three years writing something totally different. Fiction is time-consuming! We’re talking about seven drafts over three years.

But eventually, plied by a stream of tiny corn dogs and the allure of the karaoke writing club, I remembered that poetry can be fun again. It’s not like James placed a corn dog under a big net and said “C’mon Rosie, write a poem,” but that’s how it feels.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, I’d suggest you grab some friends and take some pressure off yourself. Fuck around! Find out! Surrender to the mystery!

I’ve been thinking about this passage in Madness, Rack, and Honey by Mary Ruefle:

“The psychic energy required in writing a poem is also a secret. Where did it come from? How did it get here and where is it going?” (pg.92)

I don’t know! I’m stoked to find out!

Supernormal Stimuli Announcement Corner

New hunk of the RoZone just dropped. Preorders for Supernormal Stimuli have been shipped! People are sending me photos of them holding books! Here is a photo of me geeking with my stack of books.

Announcements for readings coming soon! Hint hint, June is going to rule.

Poetry Happenings

Grand Rapids, you should definitely check out the Grand River Poetry Collective. Started by the poet laureate, Christine Stephens Krieger (who rules), they are looking to publish 10 books by Grand Rapids poets this year. This means they’re not only looking for submissions, but people to help read manuscripts/ design books, etc.

I’m hosting another open Mic with Black Dog Books and Records on May 28th. Sign up at 6:30, reading starts at 7. The theme is Mary Oliver’s “Devotions”.