John Lovas

I was very sad today to learn of the death of John Lovas. John has been one of the handful of people I've encountered in my life who have truly known and taught what beauty is for. I believe that because he crossed my path, however briefly, I have changed my life.


The Swan

by Mary Oliver


Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?

Call for Papers

Call for Papers: Experimental Writing and Aesthetics
Abstract/Proposals by 15 November 2005
Southwest/Texas Popular & American Culture Associations 27th Annual Conference Albuquerque, NM, February 8-11, 2006

Panels now forming on topics related to Experimental Writing and Aesthetics in such areas as the aesthetics of experimental writing in any genre or in mutli-genre/multi-media works including digital and graphic compositions involving language, the poetics of performance of experimental compositions, critical studies of experimental writers, etc. Creative writers interested in the selective creative writing readings panel should contact Jerry Bradley, Creative Writing Readings Chair, via <http://www.swtexaspca.org> in the early fall. Scholars, teachers, professionals, writers not affiliated with academic institutions, and others interested in experimental writing are encouraged to participate. Graduate students are also particularly welcome with award opportunities for best graduate papers. If you wish to organize your own panel, I will be happy to facilitate your scheduling needs.

Send abstracts, papers, or proposals for panels with your email address by 15 November 2005: Hugh Tribbey, Experimental Writing and Aesthetics Chair
Email: htribbey@mailclerk.ecok.edu

Conference Website: <http://www.h-net.org/~swpca/> (updated regularly)

Confession, Part II

I caved. I got a cell phone. Yikes!

In other news, I didn't really intend to go on an extended summer hiatus. It's just worked out that way. First came the post-semester crash. Then came the endless errands to be run both for myself and others. I've been busy, busy, busy, but not at all productive the past few weeks.

Now I'm about to take a couple of little trips, and I've used that as an excuse go ahead and get a cell phone like all the other girls and boys.

And as long as this is still a confession...I've been reading mostly "children's" books lately. I read Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. I read the Harry Potter books, and I'm really looking forward to the new one coming out soon. I don't have to turn in my lit degrees over that, do I? :)