Amy King writes:  A review once described my work as “moving between the registers of the fabulous and the mundane;” as I write, however, I don’t purposely aim to interlace tonalities – I amass, pile, and occasionally flatten as I beat my matter into text. 

Poetry needs no one new party to lead it into the fraying future; if we’re to save the world, let’s raise a revolution as shapeshifters. In other words, this book is about metamorphosis through a radical cherishing. I am ravished by the world, aren’t you?

Please support Small Press Distribution - here.  

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Amy King’s poems seem to encompass all that we think of as the “natural” world, i.e. sex, sun, love, rotting, hatching, dreaming, especially in the wonderful long poem “This Opera of Peace.” She brings these abstractions to brilliant, jagged life, emerging into rather than out of the busyness of living: “Let the walls bear up the angle of the floor,/Let the mice be tragic for all that is caged,/Let time’s contagion mar us/until spoken people lie as particles of wind.
                                                                                                    — John Ashbery

"Rarely have the nude and the cooked been so neatly joined” as in Amy King’s I Want to Make You Safe. If “us,” “herons,” and “dust” rhyme,  then these poems rhyme. If that makes you feel safe, it shouldn’t. Amy King’s poems are exuberant, strange, and a bit grotesque. They’re spring-loaded and ready for trouble. Categories collapse. These are the new “thunderstorms with Barbie roots."
                                                                                                   — Rae Armantrout 
 

Vulnerability, fragility, and anxiety are all flushed out into the open here and addressed with such strong sound and rhythm that we recognize a resilient, defiant strength within them. King puts relentless pressure on forces seemingly beyond our reach and, in bringing them closer, exposes their own vulnerable centers. This is a poetry equally committed to language as a tool with social obligations and language as an art material obligated to reveal its own beauty. King’s language does both magnificently. 
                                                                                                    — Cole Swensen

I love Amy King's smile in photos of Amy King, Amy King's exuberance and looping, bashing panache (flamboyant manner, reckless courage) in the poems of Amy King, I'm going to say Amy King every chance I get in this blurb to make you think "I gotta read me some Amy King," especially if you're "looking for anything/that will pull the cork, boil the blood/of displeasure," as only the poems of Amy King can in the world in which Amy King is King (and Queen).     
                                                                                                     — Bob Hicok 

The first poem I read by Amy King was "MEN BY THE LIPS OF WOMEN" and it struck me with a force I had previously felt on encountering masterworks by Lorca and Dylan Thomas.  I won't live long enough to see if her poetry will continue to equal the magnificence of theirs, but the fact that she achieved it once (at least) proves to me it could.     
                                                                                                      — Bill Knott 

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I know we can live without love...

MILDLY FREE

A film of love can be shot in any direction, I know

a guy with a gondola blotting the sky; his other helicopter cries

about an outbreak of renewed influenza that has hit

this bald eagle town under average war-like pretense,

we pull our daisies, chainsaw the living spaces,

swallow small medicines, and select corrugated metal sheets

for a blank-faced reverie and bloodlet collectibles

that remedy same soft underbelly situations.

Even I never thought I’d have jowls until I looked through

the mirror of glad girls, a subsidy of the Lie Group for Women

and other feminine needleworks. But let’s return to recreational

knitting now. I still don’t know how

to let go of the keyhole and pry myself loose

from this dream of constant segues—

I know we can live without love from the waist up

and the kind that flows from up above, even horses

that speak our language, but the rest remains

a place we frequent with panty-laced desire and rely upon

for everywhere with bonus scenes as yet in production,

postoperative and pre-season. Like an apricot foam,

the hand that strokes a felt-like rose stem assumes

where it’s moving and when it’s moving in.

Still waiting for you, an order of peony nuns blooms

at advance screenings to inform me you don’t know

the patience I equate with deserving, my miscalculation

on the footfall of coincidence in sexual remission with hindsight.

That premier of my badness, my blunder, my driven misgivings

for all things invisible will appear at the Garden tonight.

As is the common case though, you didn’t know my name

when you sent a note addressed to spell simple errors out:

I’m nobody’s flavor of the month and this matter holds

no righteous incense, no good odors, no fresh thigh skin to sniff.

It reminds me of how many behaviors ignore the soul’s inner lining.

Remember the way the cherry blossom words looked up

at the sun and asked, How did we get here and to what objects

do we belong? Our evenings were a bit like that, full of torpor

and mini masquerade balls in rusty brown arm chairs tied

side-by-side while we waited for the world to surrender

her love for the brotherhood of armies.

I’m still okay, except for the part where things went terribly wrong,

cleaning a few mug shots with our teenage FBI, we caught

a glimpse of persons who looked a far cry from our top shelf selves,

and thus we assumed all aliens, foreigners, wombats, and spies

would one moment be divided by cardboard and fiberglass wires,

and the next, at some bakery sharing humble pie.

So we gave away our savings, cracked open the canned goods,

and made our prayers for the end of secondary slavery

until the parental gestures were never again enough to protect

our species from accidental babies with their unpredictable offspring.

In the final credits, the mountains claimed their original heights

and the oppressor began his move over us, redux.

--Amy King, from I'M THE MAN WHO LOVES YOU

The Academy of American Poets Announces 30 Guest Poets on Twitter

Guest tweeters include:

4/1 D.A. Powell 4/2 Dawn Lundy Martin 4/3 Noelle Kocot 4/4 Richard Siken 4/5 Jennifer Chang 4/6 Joshua Clover 4/7 J. Michael Martinez 4/8 Mark Bibbins 4/9 Jenn Knox 4/10 Randall Mann

4/11 CAConrad 4/12 Ada Limon 4/13 Graham Foust 4/14 Evie Shockley 4/15 Jen Bervin 4/16 Ken Chen 4/17 Sherwin Bitsui 4/18 Noah Eli Gordon 4/19 Ronaldo Wilson 4/20 Nate Pritts

4/21 Danielle Pafunda 4/22 Amy King 4/23 Ching-in Chen 4/24 John Gallaher 4/25 Srikanth Reddy 4/26 Jericho Brown 4/27 Gabrielle Calvocoressi 4/28 Kazim Ali 4/29 Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon 4/30 Dorothea Lasky

In April, the Academy of American Poets will launch a month-long series of guest poets featured on its streaming Twitter feed. Throughout each day during National Poetry Month, a selected poet will have 24 hours to post his or her daily insights before passing the baton.

Users are invited to follow the Academy of American Poets on Twitter to keep up-to-date on the latest poetry posts online at: http://twitter.com/POETSorg

Jennifer Egan on ignoring Best-Of Lists

Jennifer Egan on ignoring Best-Of Lists - The Daily Beast

"Why the Fuck Should Queers Be Nice?"

SUBSTITUTE POSSIBLE "POETIC PRACTICE" FOR "NEGATIVE FEMINISM" in the following quote by Judith Halberstam:

What is negative feminism and anti-social queer theory? My fragmentary answer: it is a queer critique that aims to decenter positivity, productivity, redemptive politics of affirmation, narratives of success, and politics that are founded on hope for an imagined future. It’s rude politics and has no interest in being polite. It embraces masochism, anti-production, self-destructiveness, abjection, forgetfulness, radical passivity, aggressive negation, unintelligibility, negativity, punk pugilism, and anti-social attitudes as a form of resistance to liberal feminist and gay politics of cohesion. It’s about not-becoming because the notion of becoming is perceived as following the capitalist logic of production and models of success that are often tied up with colonialism. It asks, why the fuck should queers be nice?

Essay Basics: Definition Lesson

When introducing the definition essay to my students, I show them the film, "Tough Guise." This is a documentary by Anti-Sexist Activist, Speaker, Author, Film-maker, Jackson Katz. It basically reads like a definition essay; it's very simple to follow. The thesis is clear, he lays out his main points in an organized manner, and his evidence and explanations fall under the proper points.

Further, while the film is dated (1999), his thesis is worth considering and creates debate in the classroom, thus evidencing how a concept (definition) is subjective. Katz's film attempts to define contemporary trends in "normal" masculinity and how we acquire and are conditioned to that "violent masculinity." Definitely worth a look.

My students follow the unedited version film with the questions below; we ultimately end up with a kind of outline after the questions are complete.

If you want to follow this particular lesson with an example of a definition essay, this one (click here) on "patriotism" is nicely laid out in outline form, followed by an sample essay on the topic.

See the questions for "Tough Guise" below:

Questions for “Tough Guise” by Jackson Katz

1. What is the documentary’s thesis? Identify Katz’s main argument.

2. Who benefits from examining masculinity as defined by Katz?

3. According to Katz, what images of masculinity does the media offer as normal?

4. How do dominant groups remain invisible and unexamined?

5. What is hidden when the passive voice is used (i.e. “Women were raped …”)?

6. Why did the film, “Thelma and Louise,” cause such a stir?

7. Katz claims that media representations illustrate what’s going on in society. What does he say the changes in representations of the body illustrate?

8. What social movements rose in the 50’s & 60’s to challenge the dominant white heterosexual male power and privilege?

9. What is the “backlash” that Katz defines?

10. What does Katz say “feminism” is?

11. How does gay bashing maintain a strict definition of “heterosexuality”?

12. What did the Apollo Creed/Mohammad Ali character in Rocky threaten?

13. Are images in the media accidental? Who chooses them?

14. Katz claims that masculinity is performed in response to social and cultural pressures. What does Katz mean by “masculinity is performed”?

15. Why do young white men “act black”?

16. What is sexualized violence?

17. Does Katz claim that violence against women is natural? What do media representations of masculinity encourage men to do?

18. According to Katz, men are not “islands unto themselves” like the Marlboro man. How do such representations affect men’s emotional and mental health?

19. How can portrayals of men include aspects of vulnerability?

20. Can you identify any media representations of men being vulnerable?

21. How does Katz redefine courage?

Oprah Does Poets

Sort of. Poets are cool. Sort of. As long as we don't have to listen to what they have to say. As long as they can capitalize on that lurky murky stereotype of someone having a mysterious soul, dressing in black, and thinking deep thoughts we aren't subjected too. They feel a lot, so goes the tales of yore. So when we conjure them for our fashion shoots, we hope that aura follows. The poet as mystical soul person who dabbles in wordsmithing and ripples the fabric of our emotional lives - gently.

So when Oprah dresses poets, who usually make very little to no money on their craft, affixes poets in hyperbolic writing poses and dresses them in clothing they likely could not afford, what does she hope to achieve? Further, all of the poets she locates are pretty poets: thin, young, fresh faced, without a nose too long or crooked or a blemish to be seen. Some of these poets are Eccentric, wearing turbans with words and wigs. These poets are to be seen, but are they heard?

David Orr's take @ The New York Times.

Scott Walker Keeps On Giving

Or rather, taking. Can he just shove us all back into serfdom now? Demand a return to the closet? That seems to be his goal. Enjoy:

Scott Walker Fires Attorney Defending Wisconsin's Gay Unions Law

Excerpt:

“Governor Walker is ideologically opposed to equal rights for gay and lesbian and transgendered people as is everyone in his administration as far as I can tell,” Pines told the paper.

The governor's spokesman said his office “is still working to appoint a new counsel to the case.”

Follow #TheThePoetics on Twitter!

Metta Sáma, Amy King, Ana Božičević, Arisa White, Mahogany L. Browne, & Tracy Chiles McGhee discuss Women, Publishing, & Opportunities over on the Twitter at 6 PM EST tonight. Join us & join in. Use the hashtag #TheThePoetics to follow & share!~

H PYLORI: THE UNTOLD STORY

THE DIAGNOSIS

I'm writing this a good year after a two-year illness. I finally conquered what was an undiagnosed infection that got worse over time as I started to get emaciated. I visited and re-visited about five gastrointerologists (GIs), two electrophysiologists (one was the head of Electrophysiology at Winthrop & the other was the head at St. Francis), my primary physician, and endured a hospital stay at North Shore LIJ Hospital.

My primary physician finally made the diagnosis close to two years later when I went to her, at the end of my very fatigued rope, and asked her to run and re-run a whole battery of tests I had gleaned from my internet research. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with H Pylori, a bacterial infection of the stomach lining, and that infection had taken me through all sorts of heart issues, including docs telling me that I needed to have EP studies done and being told that I had Brugada Syndrome. I fought that last one, contacting Dr. Brugada himself (well, his son who specializes in the syndrome) in Spain to determine that the diagnosis was wrong. Had I listened and obeyed the medical establishment, I would be walking around with an unnecessary defibrillator in my chest right now.

* What I hope you infer from this brief summary is that the medical establishment is not to the beat-all-end-all of what's going on with your body. Western medicine might be able to help you, but if you're not getting the answers you need, please use your head and ask elsewhere & research, research, research!

THE REMEDY

As a result of finally getting a diagnosis, the problem took the shape of a name. Naming the problem gives you some control. Ask anyone who has been to Alcoholics Anonymous: half the battle is understanding the problem.

My doctor told me of the usual antibiotic regimen that would enable me to heal; it's called triple therapy. However, I was allergic to two of the antibiotics they use in this recipe, and after doing some research, I discovered there are six strains of H Pylori and no guarantee that the antibiotic medley would eradicate the bacteria taking up residence in my gut. So I began to research other means of fighting the infection.

I came up with and now call my remedy the "Three M's: Monolaurin, Manuka Honey and Mastic Gum." These are food-based aids that, after two months of use, fully destroyed the bacteria and restored me to health. Even now when I start to feel like I'm fighting something, I take a spoon of the honey and pop a Monolaurin. I healed myself without the use of conventional medicine. You can find links to these food items below or just get them from your local health food store.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

A summary of the alternative treatments can be found at the end of this entry. You may also read through the comments to discover how these food-based medicines eradicated H Pylori for myself as well as others' experiences. Also, many of the treatments are linked and will lead you to the products I used and other sites that can offer help. Good luck to everyone in your treatment! Don't give up hope -- H Pylori infection is treatable!

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR H PYLORI (with Links)

* Manuka Honey (Active)– This is the new bomb for anyone suffering from a bacterial or staph infection — internally or externally. It’s picking up steam in serious cases of flesh wounds and post-surgery (watch this graphic video) that won’t heal due to antibiotic-resistant bugs, and they’ve also documented its use against h pylori. Expensive but well worth the investment. I’ve gotten all three of my bottles now from Amazon, though you can pick it up on other sites. And it tastes yummy too!

* Probiotics — “Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis 3, whose safety has previously been demonstrated, is known to have antagonistic properties against species of the family Enterobacteriaceae. In the present study, it was also found to inhibit H. pylori” (Source: AAA).You should be taking a probiotic supplement, whether you’re sick or not, but especially if you use antibiotics. After much compartive shopping and on the recommendation of Dan Hoy, I use Jordan Rubin’s Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra, which you can also purchase on Amazon or at your local Vitamin Shoppe.

* Mastic Gum — “Even low doses of mastic gum — 1 mg per day for two weeks — can cure peptic ulcers very rapidly, but the mechanism responsible has not been clear. We have found that mastic is active against Helicobacter pylori, which could explain its therapeutic effect in patients with peptic ulcers” (Source: New England Journal of Medicine). I’ve been taking one gram a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

* Broccoli Sprouts (American Journal of Gastroenterology) — In laboratory tests the chemical, sulforaphane, killed helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers and often fatal stomach cancers. And the good news is there appears to be enough of it in broccoli sprouts and some varieties of broccoli to benefit people who eat the vegetables” (Source: USA Today).

“A diet rich in broccoli sprouts significantly reduced Helicobacteri pylori (H. pylori) infection among a group of 20 individuals, found a team of researchers in Japan. H. pylori is known to cause gastritis and is believed to be a major factor in peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.

Scientists are focusing on the anti-cancer properties of a chemical derived from broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane. Among other things, this chemical can help cells defend against oxidants, the highly reactive and toxic molecules that damage DNA and kill cells, potentially leading to cancer” (Source: DNC).

Along with eating more broccoli, I take one capsule of Broccolive by New Chapter in between meals each day now.

* THE BOMB – Monolaurin (Lauric Acid) – I came upon Dr. Marcus Ettinger’s blog and this doozey of an entry in which he describes his own bout with and treatment of h pylori. He has since very kindly emailed with me and stressed the importance of the monolaurin.

“Researchers have shown that monolaurin has a direct and potent germ killing effect on H. pyloria, regardless of stomach pH. The H. pyloria germ killing ability of monolaurin has been confirmed by a second group of researchers” (Source: Wellness)

“Turmeric alone (or associated with gum Mastic, Pistacia lenticus L.for herbal synergy) acts to eliminate H. pylori. Modern western researchers have found that turmeric (active ingredient within: Curcumin) is:

• An Antioxidant
• Has Anti-inflammatory qualities
• Produces Anti-cancer activity
• It is Antimicrobial
• Has Anti HIV properties
• May slow down the development of Alzheimer’s”

“Both the methanol extract and curcumin inhibited the growth of all strains of H. pylori in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 6.25-50 micrograms/ml. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that curcumin inhibits the growth of H. pylori cagA+ strains in vitro, and this may be one of the mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its chemopreventative effects” (Nat. Institutes of Health).

FOODS — All sorts of organic soups, chicken broth, chicken legs, blueberries, kiwi fruit, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli, Rudy’s organic raisin bread, capers, olives, avocados, bananas, carrots, lettuce, soy cheese, almonds, almond and peanut butters, fresh salmon, and oh, lots other lovely fresh items, many of which I obtained from my local Trader Joe’s. Eat well and frequently, especially alkalizing foods to avoid nasty reflux and heartburn, so the body has nutrients, is replenished often, and can fight!

I hate to tell you, because it’s tough, you need to give up –for a couple of months — your love of coffee, alcohol, white carbs such as white pasta, white rice, white bread (these convert to sugar in the gut), most fruits (also sugar), dairy (take a calcium supplement for a spell), and plain old sugar like the stuff found in yummy chocolate and cookies. Avoid other common acidic foods like tomatoes and orange juice. Sorry! Tough, but worth allowing your gut time to heal!