In many wonderful ways.  On top of a recent interview with me for Mosaic Literary Magazine that Rochelle Spencer wrote, a new online journal, “The Otter” has an interview with me conducted by Lewis Warsh.  Lewis was my first poetry workshop leader–his workshop at The Poetry Project produced a diverse and powerful group of poets: Robin Messing, Bill Kushner, Maggie Dubris, et al.  We are all in a mimeo journal called 8:30, because that is when the workshop begain. Lewis was a great teacher.  And he continues in that role at Long Island University.  Also, the journal is a great addition to several ongoing and new online literary publications out of NYC: tribes.org;  kwelijournal; EOAGH; now The Recluse from the Poetry Project.  Poetry always finds a home. Here’s the link to the interview with Lewis http://ottermagazine.com and to new poems: http://recluse.poetryproject.org/

The Poetry Project and all of New York City and the universe is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Frank O’Hara’s great poetry book: Lunch Poems with a read every poem reading n June 11 at St. Mark’s Church–to say it’s an all star cast of New York School and beyond poets would be an understatement–be there or be square.  Plus, I’ll be reading with  Jocelyn Lieu, Sharan Strange, Jessica Greenbaum and Lydia Cortes as part of a new series at the Bryant Park Reading Room on June 19 at 12:30.  So Frank O’Hara’s spirit abides.

Many good friends get to go away in June which is hard of course.  But even poets and artists and musicians need to escape, recharge, revive spirits and increase good health.  So this is a month to look out for roses and rainbows and register to vote-much is at stake in this election locally and nationally.  And I want to say thank you to Shirley Verrett  whom I saw in Carousel, back when Audra MacDonald played the ingenue, because her version of You’ll Never Walk Alone brought tears to people’s eyes.  But her leading off on June is busting out all over brought great smiles.  Art can do that.  Poetry, music, stories, even the Mammy-Sphinx at the Domino Sugar Factory–soon to be gone-matters.  I look forward to doing and seeing more of everything that the season offers even the rain.