Ya gotta know someone...well, I do know several someones, and I'm blessed.

I zoomed in to a poetry reading last night, one during which Steven Ratiner, author of the book I just reviewed for MicroLit Almanac (Grief's Apostrophe), was reading from the book. It was delightful to put a voice to the words I'd spent some serious time with. 

That said, I noticed in one of the little boxes of faces a name that rang a bell for me: Gail Mazur. I've never met her, but I've loved a poem of hers for many years, titled "Young Apple Tree." How strange and lovely to see a face to put to the name on a poem I have taught over and over again! It's a funny and wonderful world, this community of poets. When I stop to think about how many poets I've met, talked with, listened to and learned from, it's staggering. I actually *know* these folks! One of my friend Dawn's essays, titled "Hated by Literature," is in my official syllabus for AP Language (and also, since it's a dual credit course, College Composition I through SNHU). Poems by friends of mine are in the list for the AP Lit class, also a dual credit course through WMCC (Writing About Literature). I have links to poems, TED talks, and so on-- and I still can't get over the fact that these folks have crossed my path, and some have even stayed in my orbit, too. 

I have been, and continue to be, blessed by makers of literature. I am humbled and proud to be a minor member of that community myself. I signed the contract for my second chapbook, and soon, I'll have a tentative date for when that little book will join its sibling. 

Crazy, isn't it? 

I hope you have a super day,

C