Recently I stumbled upon an amazing idea by one Dana Gunthrie Martin that, I felt, truly pressed against the already strained and fissure-ridden envelope of modern Academia (which, if you didn’t know, is bloody great). Her idea is the MFA(P). That stands for My Fine Arts Program, and is an idea that should be in the foremind of every poet to ever pick up the pen whether they seek a sheet of paper to validate their efforts or not. Simply put — I will read. I will pick up recommended tomes from any generous purveyor who visits these hallowed 0′s and 1′s. I will study books from reading lists pilfered from the fine institutions I haven’t the time or means to attend. I will do what I’ve been doing ever since one Pedro Marrero Jr. first said to me, over a couple burning Newports and cups of coffee strained through clean socks in the winter months, some years ago “You’ve got to do your homework Mike. Keep reading.”
I will keep vascular tissue pumping between my readings and my pen. Maybe you will see this. Nevertheless, the list follows.
The River’s Reading List
Hass, Robert. Time and Materials: POEMS 1997-2005 (Ecco, 2007)
Monson, Ander. Vacation Land (Tupelo, 2005)
Sandburg, Carl. Chicago Poems (Dover, 1994)
Wright, Charles. SCAR TISSUE (FSG, 2006)
Wright, Charles. Sestets (FSG, 2009)
Woohoo!