I hope you all had a wonderful national poetry month. Mine was a little stressful, but I made it.

Poems written: 38

I'm still shaking from getting that last one done. The goal was 30, so this is a strong showing. Of course, most of them will never see the light of day. From having done this in previous years, I think I have published one of the Napowrimo poems, and maybe three more feel ready for circulation.

Readings attended: 1

I have season tickets to the Seattle Arts & Lectures poetry series and that is the best way for me to get myself out the door and to a poetry reading. Lucie Brock Broido was magnificent. I had planned to get to Susan Rich and inertia plus going out three other times this week got in the way. Dang. I'm going to Terrance Hayes next week, but that's no longer April.

Books bought: 4

Jehanne Dubrow The Arranged Marriage

Daisy Fried Women's Poetry: Poetry and Advice

Ronnie K Stephens Universe in the Key of Matroyshka

Ronnie K Stephens Full Circle

Nope, I haven't read any of them yet.

Books read or at least skimmed:

Simon Armitage The Shout

Jehanne Dubrow Stateside

Terrance Hayes (ed) Best American Poetry 2014

Terrance Hayes Hip Logic

Brenda Hillman Seasonal Works with Letters on Fire

Yusef Komunyakaa Dien Cai Dau

Phillis Levin May Day

Phillis Levin (ed) The Penguin Book of the Sonnet

Claudia Rankine Citizen

Natasha Trethewey Bellocq's Opheliia

Facebook posts read: countless

Now, don't roll your eyes at me. I've rejoined the poetry community. For many years, I was not hanging out around the poetry watercooler. Now, I am. I've joined a half dozen facebook groups related to writing. I've been suggesting books for other people to read, taking down their books, consulting about how to market. It's been good, though as always, I should be writing more than hanging out with my buds.

Money donated to poetry: 75.00

I'm so grateful for Ronnie Stephens who donated his time and his books for a poetry cause. I gave them money; he gave me line edits and a chance to support the arts.