THE THREAD ~

KIM DORMAN ~ New From Longhouse!

Owner

 by Kim Dorman

Including photographs by Kim Dorman

Selected &amp edited by Bob Arnold

New and available now from Longhouse 2016 ~

80 pages
 Perfect bound softcover

____________________________________

$40.00
Shipping $5.00 ~ U.S. orders with Paypal



"Kim Dorman’s enduring voice has been with my thinking about poetry for more than a decade. We met when he returned to Texas with his family from Kerala, a state on South India’s Malabar Coast where he had lived many years. Kim’s outpost sensibility and care for our relation in poetry to the world drew me close to him. Our conversations were expansive, attuned to a commitment of seeing in words how time moves in us and through the accidents of our various geographic locations. Those conversations are for me sustained also in his writing. For many years Kim’s newsletter, Gleanings, has arrived with his voice interspersed alongside many others in a generous notational rendering that yokes together unforeseen sources. A generous spirit of listening and persisting into the resistant edges of poetry accompanies Kim’s curiosities. The geographic locations of his living, the sonic gifts of an ear marked by Texas, Mexico, California, and beyond, and the subtle tunings to personal narratives of the everyday inform a rich poetics of his particular stance toward reality. The art I know of him directs attention enlivened by a marvelous acknowledgment of the familiar, and surprising pathways open also through material objects and observations to the heart. I’m delighted to know Kim Dorman’s poetry now comes gleaned and shining forth in a single volume. Bob Arnold has shaped the very best from the many leaves of paper Kim has passed through the inner wilderness of his particular American imaginary. As always, I am grateful for the gift of Kim’s words, and salute the voices they carry."

D A L E     S M I T H

(from Kim Dorman's Owner)

Buy now through easy-to-use Paypal, US Orders, please use our email of longhousepoetry@gmail.com

 

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LONGHOUSE
 PO Box 2454
 West Brattleboro
 Vermont 
05303

Link to Other Longhouse titles

MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ ~

M I C H E L     H O U E L L E B E C Q

http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/6040/the-art-of-fiction-no-206-michel-houellebecq

VOTE FOR BERNIE SANDERS! (SAYS MICHAEL MOORE) ~

B E R N I E     S A N D E R S

 

Tonight I officially endorse Bernie Sanders for President. Share my endorsement letter here: http://michaelmoore.com/myendorsementofbernie

My Dear Friends,

When I was a child, they said there was no way this majority-Protestant country of ours would ever elect a Catholic as president. And then John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected president.

The next decade, they said America would not elect a president from the Deep South. The last person to do that on his own (not as a v-p) was Zachary Taylor in 1849. And then we elected President Jimmy Carter.

In 1980, they said voters would never elect a president who had been divorced and remarried. Way too religious of a country for that, they said. Welcome, President Ronald Reagan, 1981-89.

They said you could not get elected president if you had not served in the military. No one could remember when someone who hadn’t served had been elected Commander-in-Chief. Or who had confessed to trying (but not inhaling!) Illegal drugs. President Bill Clinton, 1993-2001.

And then finally “they” saId that there’s NO WAY the Democrats were going to win if they nominated a BLACK man for president — a black man who’s middle name was Hussein! America was still too racist for that. “Don’t do it!”, people quietly warned each other.

BOOM!

Do you ever wonder why the pundits, the political class, are always so sure that Americans “just aren’t ready” for something — and then they’re always just so wrong? They says these things because they want to protect the status quo. They don’t want the boat rocked. They try to scare the average person into voting against their better judgment.

And now, this year “they” are claiming that there’s no way a “democratic socialist” can get elected President of the United States. That is the main talking point coming now from the Hillary Clinton campaign office.

But all the polls show Bernie Sanders actually BEATING Donald Trump by twice as many votes than if Hillary Clinton was the candidate.

Although the polls nationally show Hillary beating Bernie among DEMOCRATS, when the pollster includes all INDEPENDENTS, then Sanders beats Trump two to one over what Clinton would do.

The way the Clinton campaign has been red-baiting Sanders is unfortunate — and tone deaf. According to NBC, 43% of Iowa Dems identify themselves more closely with socialism (sharing, helping) than with capitalism (greed, inequality). Most polls now show young adults (18-35) across America prefer socialism (fairness) to capitalism (selfishness).

So, what is democratic socialism? It’s having a true democracy where everyone has a seat at the table, where everyone has a voice, not just the rich.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary recently announced the most looked-up word in their online dictionary in 2015 was “socialism.” If you’re under 49 (the largest voting block), the days of the Cold War & Commie Pinkos & the Red Scare look as stupid as  “Reefer Madness.”

If Hillary’s biggest selling point as to why you should vote for her is, “Bernie’s a socialist!” or “A socialist can’t win!”, then she’s lost.

The New York Times, which admitted it made up stories of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq & pushed us to invade that country, has now endorsed Hillary Clinton, the candidate who voted for the Iraq War. I thought the Times had apologized and reformed itself. What Is going on here?

Well, the Times likes its candidates to be realistic and pragmatic. And to them, that means Hillary Clinton. She doesn’t want to break up the banks, doesn’t want to bring back Glass-Steagall, doesn’t want to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr., doesn’t want Denmark’s free health care system. Just not realistic, I guess.

Of course, there was a time when the media said it wasn’t “realistic” to pass a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. They said it would never pass because only all-male legislators would be voting on it in the Congress and the State Legislatures. And that, obviously, meant it would never pass. They were wrong.

They once said that it wasn’t “realistic” to pass a Civil Rights Act AND a Voting Rights Act back to back. America just wasn’t “ready for it.” Both passed, in 1964 & 1965.

Ten years ago we were told gay marriage would never be the law of the land. Good thing we didn’t listen to those who told us to be “pragmatic.”

Hillary says Bernie’s plans just aren’t “realistic” or “pragmatic.” This week she said “single payer health care will NEVER, EVER, happen.” Never? Ever? Wow. Why not just give up?

Hillary also says it’s not practical to offer free college for everyone. You can’t get more practical than the Germans – and they’re able to do it. As do many other countries.

Clinton does find ways to pay for war and tax breaks for the rich. Hillary Clinton was FOR the war in Iraq, AGAINST gay marriage, FOR the Patriot Act, FOR NAFTA, and wants to put Ed Snowden in prison. THAT’S a lot to wrap one’s head around, especially when you have Bernie Sanders as an alternative. He will be the opposite of all that.

There are many good things about Hillary. But it’s clear she’s to the right of Obama and will move us backwards, not forward. This would be sad. Very sad.

81% of the electorate is either female, people of color or young (18-35). And the Republicans have lost the VAST majority of 81% of the country. Whoever the Democrat is on the ballot come November will win. No one should vote out of fear. You should vote for whom you think best represents what you believe in. They want to scare you into thinking we’ll lose with Sanders. The facts, the polls, scream just the opposite: We have a BETTER chance with Bernie!

Trump is loud and scary — and liberals scare easy. But liberals also like facts. Here’s one: less than 19% of the USA is white guys over 35. So calm down!

Finally, Check out this chart — it says it all: (Note: Hillary has now changed her position and is against TPP)



I first endorsed Bernie Sanders for public office in 1990 when he, as mayor of Burlington, VT, asked me to come up there and hold a rally for him in his run to become Vermont’s congressman. I guess not many were willing to go stump for an avowed democratic socialist at the time. Probably someone is his hippie-filled campaign office said, “I’ll bet Michael Moore will do it!” They were right. I trucked up into the middle of nowhere and did my best to explain why we needed Bernie Sanders in the U.S. Congress. He won, I’ve been a supporter of his ever since, and he’s never given me reason to not continue that support. I honestly thought I’d never see the day come where I would write to you and get to say these words: “Please vote for Senator Bernie Sanders to be our next President of the United States of America.”

I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn’t think we really, truly needed him. And we do. More than we probably know.

Sincerely Yours,
Michael Moore

We have always endorsed Bernie —

any job he wants

and if the country

doesn't want him for President

come home Bernie 

and be our Governor for life

RUTH STONE ~

R U T H     S T O N E

Dream of Light in the Shade



Now that I am married I spend

My hours thinking about my husband.

I wind myself about his shelter.

I watch his sleep, dreaming of how to  defend

His inert form. At night

Leaning on my elbow I pretend

I am merely a lecherous friend.



And being the first to wake

Often wholly naked descend

To the dim first floor where the chairs

Hold the night before, and all says attend!

The light so coldly spells in innocence.

Attend! The cup is filled with light.

And on my skin the sun flashes

And fades as the shade trees bend.


____________________________

R U T H     S T O N E

What Love Comes To
(Copper Canyon Press) 

 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/ruth-stone

ONCE DASHING PEDIGREE ~

https://newrepublic.com/article/122631/mystery-patrick-modiano

C.D. WRIGHT TALKS W/ KENT JOHNSON ~

C. D.  W R I G H T

http://poeticsresearch.com/article/c-d-wright-talks-to-kent-johnson-2001/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/arts/c-d-wright-poet-of-ozarks-and-beyond-dies-at-67.html

TWO MANY GOODBYES ~

Photo: Clem Albers, The Chronicle  

 P A U L    K A N T N E R

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/arts/music/paul-kantner-of-jefferson-airplane-dies-at-74.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

 J A C Q U E S     R I V E T T E

 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/30/movies/jacques-rivette-french-director-dies.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat ~

WOODCHOPPER ~

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/16/norwegian-wood-lars-mytting-man-made-things-trees-robert-penn-review

If you've cut trees for half a century as I have

made your income from the same

are still at it just the same

it doesn't matter

you will enjoy this read.

There are certain things you've missed

as I found, plus there is all that Norway.

If you have never cut down a tree in your life

wish to

this book may save your life. 

[ BA ]

ONE MORE TIME ~

TIM ROSE ~

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tim-rose-mn0000499714/biography

WATERCOLOR ~

Dear Longhouse Poetry,

I just like to share a little watercolor illustration I made with (if I’m not mistaken) a poem by Bob Arnold (see the attachment).
I’ve put the drawing on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/miekesmakes/) and hope I’ve referred to you correctly… :-)

Best wishes,

Annemieke Spruijt (from the Netherlands)

some days arrive just like this. . .

thank you, Annemieke

MAXWELL STREET LIFE & BLUES (CHICAGO 1964) ~

Right off the streets
into your home

CHESTER HIMES ~

Way back in the 50s, re-released by 1966

Chester Himes was years ahead on the

story line of the white policeman

killing African American men

at their life and labor.



http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/30/us/police-videos-race.html

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/HIMES/himes-coffingravedigger.html

C H E S T E R    H I M E S 

(1945) 

BOOGIE WOOGIE COUNTRY GIRL ~

WYNN STEWART ~

HANDSOME FAMILY ~

Drawing out of Chicago in the 90s

and now keeping house and home in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Brett and Rennie Handsome

are the Handsome Family

ZEN KOANS ~

LARRY LEVIS ~

GOSSIP IN THE VILLAGE



I told no one, but the snows came, anyway.

They weren't even serious about it, at first.

Then, they seemed to say, if nothing happened.

Snow could say that, & almost perfectly.



The village slept in the gunmetal of its evening.

And there, through a thin dress once, I touched

A body so alive & eager I thought it must be

Someone else's soul. And though I was mistaken.



And though we parted, & the roads kept thawing between snows

In the first spring sun, & it was all, like spring,

Irrevocable, irony has made me thinner. Someday, weeks



From now, I will wake alone. My fate, I will think,

Will be to have no fate. I will feel suddenly hungry.



The morning will be bright, & wrong.



_______________________________

L A R R Y     L E V I S
The Darkening Trapeze
(Graywolf, 2016)

Last poems, edited with an afterword by David St. John

 he's back

ROBERT WALSER ~

http://www.ndbooks.com/book/looking-at-pictures/

Since his rediscovery in the 1970s
Walser's star and influence has
only been rising

JOHN PHILLIPS ~ HERETIC

J O H N     P H I L L I P S

New and available now from Longhouse 2016 ~

 

With collages by the author
160 pages
 Perfect bound softcover

____________________________________

$18

Shipping $3.95 ~ U.S. orders with Paypal

Buy now through easy-to-use Paypal, US Orders, $21.95

International orders ~ complete $38 with Paypal payment

 
L O N G H O U S E

 PO Box 2454
 West Brattleboro
Vermont 05303

A selection of poems from Heretic by John Phillips ~


Heretic


Today I made another mistake.
If I’m not careful, I’ll be caught.

What then? Years ago

they stopped burning heretics.
For me, they might bring it back.

I would almost want them to.

Only then might I forgive them.






This Floating World


Bashō

along the Fuji River

came upon an abandoned child,
two years old, crying.

From out his sleeve,
threw it some food,

walked on.


______________________________




In a dark
in a darkened room there’s a music

a music playing there
a woman slowly no
quickly passes she
into the room behind
dark in shadow the
dark

behind the music remains
doesn’t quite remain it stays by going

she stays now gone still lingers his

lips to her music

the music is not dark it is
in a darkened room it makes not dark
gives a certain light to

light to the lips saying dark saying
light is a woman in the dark

music of a woman

a woman in a dark room of
light a woman

dark light

each in the other being one each other
one is more than oneself or is not

woman is a man loving the woman is a
man and woman loving a newborn daughter in the dark

light loving a child sung to

in a room darkened by dark
lips on lips   light
a certain music of

NEW: a review of Heretic ~

http://www.stridemagazine.co.uk/Stride%20mag%202016/Feb2016/Phillips.Spence.htm

 

I'LL BE RESTED ~

This beauty was recorded two years after the passing of Franz Kafka

My own father was two years old

Blind Willie Johnson was also working the neighborhood

ONE OF US ~

( Farrar Straus Giroux 2015)

"One of Us is a book about belonging, a book about community. The three friends
from Troms all belonged in definite places, geographically, politically and with
their families. Bano belonged in both Kurdistan and Norway. Her greatest aspiration 
was to become 'one of us.' There were no short cuts.

This is also a book about looking for a way to belong and not finding it. The
perpetrator ultimately decided to opt out of the community and strike at it in the most
brutal ways.

As I worked on the book, it came to me that this was also a story about contemporary Norway.
It is a story about us.

To all of you who have told me drops or streams of stories, written to me or commented
on my work: we made this book together.

Through the book, I want to give something back to the community from which it
sprang. My royalties for this book in Norway are being donated in full to the 'En av oss'
(One of Us) foundation. The foundation's statues allow for the money to be distributed
to a wide range of causes nationally and internationally, in the areas of development,
education, sport, culture and environment.

I have chosen to let those who contributed most to the book to decide which causes will
receive support.

I think that would be in the spirit of their children."

Asne Seierstad
Olso, 20 January 2014

I hesitate not wishing to lift boughs off those lost but after reading this

shattering book and for whatever very good reason knowing now

many of the children and others lost, by name, character,

and even families, I went to see what these beautiful

children looked like, and sure enough,

quietly, there is a memorial film

in their names.

THE FIRST COLLECTION OF CRITICISM BY A LIVING FEMALE ROCK CRITIC ~

J E S S I C A     H O P P E R

The title of this book is not entirely accurate.

There's Ellen Willis' Beginning To See the Light,

though it wasn't all music writing, and then her

posthumous collection that was. Of course Lillian

Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia from 1969, Caroline

Coon's crucial 1988: The New Wave Punk Rock

Explosion and the collective, life-changing Rock

She Wrote. We should be able to list a few dozen

more — but those books don't exist.Yet.

The title of this book is about planting a flag; it

is for those whose dreams (and manuscripts) lan-

guished due to lack of formal precedence, support

and permission. This title is not meant to erase

our history but rather to help mark the path.

This book is dedicated to those that came before,

those that should of been first, and all the ones

that will come after.

Featherproof Books

Chicago

2015