VIRTUAL READING

There will be a virtual reading of poems from the BEST AMERICAN POETRY 2023 by the poets, including me, this Thursday, check out the details here: https://www.greenlightbookstore.com/event/best-american-poetry-2023

SAG

Me and John Carradine on the set of THE NESTING, the 1979 movie that got me into the Screen Actors Guild (as Michael David Lally because there already was a Michael Lally in SAG already).

THE BEST AMERICAN POETRY 2023

 
Been meaning to post that this year's BEST AMERICAN POETRY yearly anthology is out and well worth getting, and not (just) because I have a poem in it ("I Meant To"). But because there are a lot of instant classics in it that will provoke you, entertain you, maybe inspire you, and make you laugh (and/or possibly shed a tear), and more. Thanks to this year's editor Elaine Equi and the series over all editor David Lehman for including me.

NEW LIST

Woke up this morning with my mind working on a new list which became my top fifteen favorite films with a single first name as the title:

AMELIE (2001)

ANNA (2019)

BELLE (2013)

GILDA (1946)

GLORIA (1980)

JUNO (2007)

LAURA (1944)

LUCY (2014)

MARTY (1955)

NINOTCHKA (1939)

PHILOMENA (2013)

ORLANDO (1992)

RAY (2004)

RUDY (1993)

SABRINA (1954) 

TERRY KIRKMAN R.I.P.

 

I copped this image from Eve Brandstein who was my partner in founding and running the eight-year initial run of the weekly poetry reading series Poetry In Motion that Terry Kirkman often took part in in the late 1980s and early '90s. But I first met Terry shortly after I moved from NYC to LA in 1982. We were sitting around a table of mostly then famous movie people and I thought I was being gracious by engaging him in small talk as he was I thought unknown to me. I only learned later that he and his music had been leaving its mark on me since the 1960s. 

Terry was not only a great musician, singer, and songwriter with The Association back when (Cherish being maybe his most famous song), but also a fine poet, artist (he made the most striking drawings on his smart phone e.g.), and friend. A gentle giant who towered over most people, he was best described in a post (sorry I can't remember whose) as "a humble genius" with, I might add, a giant heart. 

Because I was dealing with a bout of Covid when he passed, I didn't get to post this til now, so Rest In Harmony old friend, with condolences to your equally big-hearted wife Heidi, and all your family, friends, and fans.

I REMEMBER JOE BRAINARD

I'm grateful and happy to be included in Pejk Malinovski's BBC radio broadcast I REMEMBER JOE BRAINARD, a terrifically shaped and edited interview/conversation about artist/poet/writer and friend (and in some of the  interviewees cases, like me, lover) Joe Brainard and his now classic, genius autobiographical list poem I REMEMBER. Check it out here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

My youngest child, Flynn, seen here with me around 2005 and 2019, turned 26 a few days ago. I couldn't be more grateful for what an amazing person he is. He has overcome enormous challenges in a way that has become a model for me of forgiveness, acceptance, and love (look at the way he seems  to be comforting me in the 2019 photo). Happy days boyo.

ORIGINS

Been sidelined by Covid, but recovering nicely thank you. Meanwhile lots has happened that I wanted to share. I'll start with a podcast I was interviewed by Eric Greenberg on about my poetry and acting and my hometown when I was coming up in the 1940s and '50s. Just my perspective and memories. Check it out if you feel like it, here: www.mapsopodso.com.