VINCENT HARDING HAS JOINED OUR ANCESTORS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYU17J6Wjzc

WE ARE STILL SITTING NEAR THE DOOR:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-sam-greenlee-dead-20140520,0,5193537.column

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No Essence | May 20, 2014

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The wealth of the world is mist on the mountain pass.
My closest friends, but guests on market day.
Uncertain joys and sorrows are last night’s dream.
I think and think; they have no essence.

—Gendun Chopel, "In Memory of My Childhood Friend"

Climate Change in the Big C.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/20/us/politics/in-california-climate-issues-moved-to-fore-by-governor.html?_r=0

Food for Thought

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/23703-radical-art-is-an-act-of-uncompromising-passionate-resistance

I gave a talk on Malcolm X this afternoon. His 89th birthday is tomorrow.  I was invited by the Prince George's County Branch of the ASALH. I built my comments around the eulogy Ossie Davis delivered at Malcolm's funeral. One of the interesting things to examine is how Davis makes no reference to Malcolm being a Muslim. I think Islam is key to Malcolm's development. He was a Muslim minister. Why do we keep forgetting this? Below is my favorite picture of El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

The Candidate Catania

I went down the street this morning to a meet and greet gathering on Sheridan Street (near 14th/NW) for David Catania. It was  a good session. Catania has to be seen as a strong candidate to be the next mayor of Washington. His answers to questions have more substance and vision than Muriel Bowser. It's just a plain fact. "Below is information from PR material being circulated by Catania.  How does Bowser answer?

After 7 years on the Council, Bowser has not put forth a single substantive proposal to improve our schools.

Although Bower chairs the committee responsible for housing issues, she has been missing in action addressing the housing crisis.

We have to embrace transformative politics in DC.
DC for DC?

www.DavidCatania.com

ICHIRO WATCH

Ichiro is hitting .391.

On May 12th I gave a talk about Langston Hughes at the Duncan Library in Alexandria, Virginia.
There I met the reference librarian Leo Baca.

POETS HOUSE

Photo by Naomi Ayala

On Friday I invited a few poets to my house. Naomi Ayala was one of them. She took this picture of me with Sarah Browning , Ines Rivera, Marlena Hartz and Joe Ross. It was an evening of conversation, poetry and good food.

JUNE 21, 2014

Next month the Poets will be going for their second win in a row. It's the 9th Miller Classic to be played at Bennington. This event has become quite popular. Above is a design of the shirt that will be given to the winners. Go Poets!  Defeat those fiction, prose lovers.

                                                                     

May 14 - 21, 2014

Join TWC at the Gaithersburg Book Festival! Join our workshop leaders from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday at Gaithersburg City Hall for free hour-long workshops throughout the day. Click here for the full schedule. Historical Fiction & Concept w/ Kathryn Johnson Regardless of when your story takes place, learn to weave in historical details and bring the past to life in Historical Fiction for the 21st Century Reader(5/21). Add appeal to your novel in The High-Concept Novel (5/24). Learn what high-concept means, along with fiction techniques to make your work in progress stand out to editors.  The Force of Poetry   Concentrate on reading, writing and critiquing poetry in Elizabeth Rees's The Force of Poetry for intermediate and advanced poets (5/20). Students will explore formal considerations, stylistic choices and catching a poem's voice. Sharpen Your Senses Improve your use of sensory and emotional detail with short writing exercises, group work and guided class discussions in Sierra Prasada's See! Hear! Feel! Write! (5/24).  Character Development  Learn how to build strong characters through story development and dialogue in Character and Development for the Screenwriter with Monica Lee Bellais (5/17). Students will learn how to make a scene flow so characters can come to life.  Voice & the Hero with Amy Abrams  Document your personal journey and give voice to revelatory experience inTransformation and the Voice of the Authentic Self (6/7). Learn how to create a strong and sympathetic protagonist, as well as lively secondary characters in The Hero's Voyage (5/17). Translation as Inspiration  Explore how translation can inspire new work, new ways of thinking and new approaches in Translation as Inspiration: A Generative Workshop with Suzanne Zweizig (6/7). Participants will be introduced to poetry from a variety of languages to be used as inspiration.  Browse Workshops Genres Locations Days of the Week  Online Get Involved Events Donate  Internships Become a Member Stay Connected Blog: First Person Plural Facebook  Twitter YouTube About Us The Writer's Center is one of the foremost nonprofit writing centers in the U.S. Read more Publications The Writer's Center publishes the Workshop & Event Guide and America's oldest literary journal, Poet Lore. To receive a hard copy of the guide, email us atnewsletter@writer.org. Word Play "When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature."               - Ernest Hemingway

The Writer's Center 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815 Phone: 301.654.8664  |  Fax: 240.223.0458  |  Email: newsletter@writer.org

NEWS FROM ANNIE FINCH

Dear Nature-loving Friends, Spring in Maine has been sublime this year, and it promises a magnificent summer.  Whether you have always wanted to spend some time writing or are already a well-published writer, the Hurricane Island Writing Nature Retreat offers a unique opportunity for you to write nature—all genres— with me and two brilliant writers in an intimate workshop amid the wild beauty of Maine's coast this June.  Please check out the email from Maine Sierra Club below about this amazing weekend immersing ourselves in words, waves, and woods on Hurricane Island.  Just thinking about it inspires me.  I would love to see you there! Also, I wanted to let poetry students know that as of this morning, there are still 2 spots left in my special workshop on A Poet's Craft at the West Chester Poetry Conference June 6-9.   If you've always wanted to check out the nation's largest poetry conference, this could be your chance! Warmly, Annie Update from the Sierra Club, Maine Chapter Hurricane Island Writing Nature Retreat June 13 -15   Enjoy supportive writing groups, going on a nature vision quest, and sharing your own work in this writing nature retreat. Writers of all levels of experience are welcome. Enjoy two nights and three days on Hurricane Island from June 13 -15, 2014. This Wild experience will take you to Hurricane Island, home of the Hurricane Island Foundation and the Island Center for Science and Leadership. We will go by boat from Rockland to the small island which boasts miles of hiking trails. We will spend two full days of writing nature and experiencing an off the grid island that offers unobstructed views of outer Penobscot Bay on out to the ocean. Explore your own vision of nature as you write it, with three exceptional guides long experienced in freeing vision and senses into verse and story. Enjoy two nights and three days on Hurricane Island from June 13-15 To register fill out the registration form and return to Sierra Club Maine, 44 Oak St, Suite 301, Portland, ME 04101 along with payment. Workshop Leaders: Annie Finch: Poet and writer Annie Finch is the author of six books of poetry, most recently Spells: New and Selected Poems, as well as many books for poets including A Poet's Craft: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Sharing Your Poems. Ruth Herman: Ruth Herman is a writer, teacher, editor, and performer. She is also the founder of The Circle of Writers, an organization offering ongoing workshops on a wide range of themes for students of all ages. Cait Johnson: Cait Johnson is the author of six books of popular non-fiction, including Earth, Water, Fire, and Air and Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of Earth-Honoring Activities. She has taught creative writing, theatre, dreamwork, and nature-based spirituality for many years.

Well, success is an important thing! It's often been said that an artist ought to work for himself, for the "love of art," that he ought to have contempt for success. Untrue! An artist needs success. And not only to live off it, but especially to produce his body of work. Even a rich painter has to have success. Few people understand anything about art, and not everyone is sensitive to painting. Most judge the world of art by success. Why, then,leave success to "best-selling painters"? Every generation has its own. But where is it written that success must always go to those who cater to the public's taste? For myself, I wanted to prove that you can have success in spite of everyone, without compromise. Do you know what? It's the success I had when I was young that became my wall of protection. The blue period, the rose period, they were screens that shielded me.

    - Picasso

STILL SNOWING OUTSIDE AND INSIDE TOO

‘Nation’ Exclusive: Edward Snowden and Laura Poitras Take on America’s Runaway Surveillance State   by Edward Snowden and Laura Poitras   Read »

Sent from Kathy Engel

http://vimeo.com/85667492

Back to School

I'll spend the day at Coolidge High School today. Students have been reading and discussing my memoir Fathering Words.

Thanks to Black Classic Press (BCP) this book is back in print.

Fathering Words: The Making of an African American Writer - E. Ethelbert Miller Moving beyond the loss of both his father and brother, E. Ethelbert Miller tells the story of how love survived in hi family. When Miller was about ten years old, his father told him how he considered leaving his mother. Years later, now a writer and a father, Miller looks back on that simple remark and how it shaped him. In Fathering Words, Miller explores his development as an African American writer, the responsibility of his chosen career, and his ambitions to raise the consciousness of Black people Miller’s poetry often relies on the voices of women. Here in Fathering Words, he has chosen to write his memoir in two voices. He places his sister’s voice on the page next to his own. The result is a wonderful duet that tells two stories woven into one. 178 pages. Also available on Kindle e-book for $9.99. Price: $14.95

May 9, 2014

Epic World Ruth Lilly Prize Winner Nathaniel Mackey speaks about his poetry of process.   2014 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize Winner: Nathaniel Mackey The poet reads and discusses his work.   Mother's Day Poems 13 poems about the enduring bond between mother and child.   Video: "Since There's No Help" by Michael Drayton Read by Kurt Sepmeier   Two Chicagos by Garrett Caples POEM OF THE DAY Ah, Ah, by Joy Harjo Sign up to have a poem emailed to you each day. AUDIO POEM OF THE DAY  His Stillness, by Sharon Olds Subscribe to the audio poem of the day podcast.

Forward to a friend Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Harriet: the Blog Jack Spicer’s Grave, by Kevin Killian Poetry, Northern/Southern Border, Part I, by Hoa Nguyen RIP Russell Edson, by Harriet Staff Reading List: April 2014, by Lindsay Garbutt Popular Criticism and the Paralysis of History, by J. Michael Martinez More entries Recent Podcasts  Life Will Never Be the Same On poetry and motherhood More podcasts May Issue of Poetry Caroline Bergvall, Joshua Mehigan, Jennifer Tamayo, Jessica Greenbaum, Rodrigo Toscano, J. Michael Martinez, and more. Read the issue Get Poetry for Your iPhone or iPad A new digital version of Poetry magazine is now available. Get Poetry!

Library of Congress

Asian American Literature Today: Tarfia Faizullah Wednesday, May 21, 4:00 PM As part of APA Heritage Month, poet Tarfia Faizullah will present her debut collection of poems, Seam. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Presented in partnership withthe Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; The Asian American Literary Review; and the Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland. Location: Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building (third floor) Contact: (202) 707-5394

Join Us Tuesday, June 3rd For a Panel Discussion & Supper at the Scottish Rite Center On June 3rd, the Scottish Rite Masons, in collaboration with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, proudly present Ron Charles, Leslie Cockburn, Dan Kois, Alissa Repanshek& Mary Kay Zuravleff for an evening examining Washington, DC's designation as the "Most Literate City" in the United States.   In February, it was announced that for the fourth year in a row, Washington, DC was named the "Most Literate City" in the United States by Central Connecticut State University President John Miller. The designation is based on a city's number of bookstores, library resources, Internet use, educational levels, and newspaper circulation. But what does it mean to be the most literate city in the nation? In what ways is that designation particularly true, and in which ways might the designation be misleading? The Scottish Rite Masons and the PEN/Faulkner Foundation have gathered this esteemed group of panelists to explore these questions and more.   An elegant buffet supper will immediately follow the panel discussion.    This event is FREE, though attendance is limited. Please RSVP to RSVP@penfaulkner.org   Panelists:   Ron Charles, moderator Deputy Editor and weekly critic at the Washington Post Book World   Leslie Cockburn Award-winning journalist, author, filmmaker, and PEN/Faulkner Board Member   Dan Kois Senior Editor at Slate and contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine   Alissa Repanshek PricewaterhouseCoopers Washington Metro Corporate Responsibility Lead   Mary Kay Zuravleff Novelist, Politics & Prose-Corporate/Special Sales, and PEN/Faulkner Board Member   Event Details: Date & Time: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 at 7 p.m.   Location: Scottish Rite Center 2800 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 [Map] Please note: Parking is limited to street parking, so please plan accordingly This event will be held at the Scottish Rite building at 2800 16th (at Columbia Road NW) NOT at the Scottish Rite building at 16th & S

CUBAN 5

Next Month:
http://www.ips-dc.org/events/third_5_days_for_the_cuban_5_in_washington_dc

COMING SOON

http://www.the5x5project.com/overview/

Poets participating in the 2014 Fall project will include:

Fred Joiner
Kenneth Carroll
Major Jackson
Afaa Michael Weaver
E. Ethelbert Miller

A HUGHES DAY

I'll be speaking at the Duncan Branch Library in Alexandria, Virginia this evening (7:30 PM).

My topic is "Langston Hughes and The Harlem Renaissance."

The Duncan Branch Library is located at: 2501 Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria.

http://www.alexandrianews.org/celebrated-poet-e-ethelbert-miller-joins-duncan-branch-library/

First Stop Jupiter, Next Stop New York

THREE on 3 Presents the Music of Sun Ra - A Centennial Celebration 

SUNDAY MAY 18TH @ 3PM- $10

MT.MORRIS ASCENSION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

122nd and MT MORRIS PARK WEST (Fifth Ave.)

Join us as we pay homage to Sun Ra, one of the prolific composers and musicians of our time, in celebration of his 100th birthday. Trombonist/Composer Craig Harris, a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra in the mid-70s, will bring a group of musicians together and perform Sun Ra compositions newly arranged for Harlem Night Songs, a 11-piece band featuring Eddie Allen and Franz Hackl (trumpet), Jay Rodriquez, Richard Fairfax and Frank Vacin (saxophone), Craig Harris (trombone), Tony Lewis (drums), Kahlil Kwame Bell (percussion), Melissa Slocum (bass), Adam Klipple (keyboards), and T.C. III (vocals).

 

What's New?

I spent the morning cleaning off my desk. A number of books and magazines came in during the last few days:

Compassionately Spoken by Ruth H. Miller. Ruth heard me on NPR and decided to share her work with me.

Poetry (March 2014). A gift from Sarah Browning. This is the Split This Rock issue.

The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon by Willie Perdomo.

TBS: The Black Scholar - Spring 2014 issue.

The Western Journal of Black Studies - Spring 2014.
This issue contains my essay on Trayvon Martin; a dialogue between Charles Johnson, George Yancy and myself.

Karl with A K: Poems by Karl O. Lawrence.
A first book of poems by a talented Howard University student from the Bronx.

Yellowrocket by Todd Boss
A collection of poems sent to me by Robert Fleming.

Washington History magazine ( Special Jazz in Washington issue)
3 of my jazz poems are included in this issue.

Baseball

Yesterday was another day of dumb baseball decisions. Managers should let pitchers throw complete games when they are on a roll. Roark could have won the game against Oakland. I no longer have any confidence in Soriano or even Clippard these days. The Nats bullpen is overrated. If I was a starting pitcher on the Nats I would be extremely upset by someone pissing in the drinking water in the 8th or 9 inning. Go relieve yourself - somewhere else.

THE E-NOTE ONE QUESTION INTERVIEW : Don Allen

Don Allen is the manager of the Teaching for Change Bookstore located at Busboys and Poets (14th and V Street, NW). 

Don Allen photo by Ethelbert

THE ONE QUESTION: 

What books would you recommend for summer reading?

ALLEN:

1. Brazil's Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, The Olympics, and the Fight for Democracy by Dave Zirin Just in time for the World Cup. I've read all of his books and each one is better than the last. This one is timely and his writing is better than ever. 
2. Mysteries are crowd-pleasers on the beaches and I'm no exception. I really enjoy reading international mysteries during the summer (or any time, really) - especially if they also deal with social issues. My favorites are Donna Leon (Venice), Phillip Kerr (Nazi Germany), and Qui Xiaolong (Shanghai) -  I ALWAYS read each author as soon as their new books are released.  Xiaolong's newest, Enigma of China, will be out in paperback in June. Leon's newest, By the Cover, just came out in April. A Man without Breath is the newest in Kerr's Bernie Gunther series. 
3. Stokely: A Life by Peniel Joseph. Well written bio of Kwame Ture's years in the United States. While there has been some criticism that it doesn't cover his years in Africa, this bio provides a wealth of information about the rise of Black Power. 
4. Summer Reading lists are really created for young people, who should have much more time for summer reading than many of us. Pills and Starships is Lydia Millet's first young adult novel and it's an eye opener, a dystopian novel that will never be as popular as Hunger Games, mainly because environmental devastation and the evil power of Big Pharma both hit pretty close to home. For younger kids, When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop (see DWB's book review here). 
5. And finally, Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being is just a stellar chunk of literature. Beautifully melancholy, sometimes tragic and sometimes humorous, stuffed full of interesting historical tidbits, meditative, occurring in multiple cultures and across time. Plus, if you are reading this on a beach, there are some environmental lessons about what is actually floating in our oceans.

Honorable Mention: Anything by Haruki Murakami is great for any season. Everyone knows about the newer classics, Kafka on the Shore, Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, and 1Q84,but Norwegian Wood, an odd, Murakami love story, is a good one for the summer. 

The above books are Allen's personal selections and not that of Teaching for Change  Bookstore.

Stars are out and there is sea
enough beneath the glistening earth
to bear me toward the future
which is not so dark. I see.

    - Frank O'Hara

OUT THIS MONTH

http://www.amazon.com/Joyous-Revolt-Bambara-Activist-Writers/dp/0275987116

THE SCHOLARS: INTERVIEW WITH MAURICE JACKSON

Photo by Ethelbert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il7mMcLUjAQ&list=UUO0TLew_eanCz5XjAG78RdA

JON M. HUNTSMAN JR

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/opinion/the-gop-cant-ignore-climate-change.html?_r=0