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About Bruce

Carroll County

In the first person: I had the enormous good fortune to win the 2014 William Matthews Poetry Prize, selected by Billy Collins. Past awards include the Harriss Poetry Prize, with Dick Allen serving as judge and begetter of its splendid (though, I fear, unwarranted) introduction, and the Artscape Literary Arts Award in poetry, chosen by William Stafford, another generous soul. Collins, Allen, Stafford - poets laureate all; is this the basis for a new conspiracy theory? Maryland State… more

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How to Write a Poem (Are You A Writer? Bet You'll Laugh.)

A practical instruction. Well, no. Not  really.
But a “must read” for any poet.
Depending on your definition of “must.”
 
     And look how hard you’ve been
     working. Does the laborer not pause
     under the midday sun for a sip of water?
     The soldier beguile the hours of bivouac
     rolling coffin nails? Who are you
     to deny yourself the common comforts
     the body demands? And besides,
     maybe you have your poem already.
 
Do you recognize yourself here?
 
     Here’s where the might and majesty
     of the language will step in, married
     in the near night under your little
     gooseneck writer’s lamp. Or maybe
     not. Maybe the might and majesty
     of the language are currently in
     the employ of some other poet,
     likewise desperate to turn a bright sheet
     of foolscap into something deathless
     and deep, and despair begins to set in.
 
Turn your back to it, sugar booger.
  • How to Write a Poem - Cover Spread
    How to Write a Poem - Cover Spread
    Improper Lady and Fly Do Lunch: Computer illustration by Jen Sager [CLICK THE PIC to view the covers full size. Worth it!]
  • How to Write a Poem - Interior Part 1.pdf
    Thank you for making it here. The rest is a breeze. The Baker system software has forced this book to be broken into three PDF's. This is PART ONE. The title poem. Hope you get a kick out of it.
  • How to Write a Poem - Interior Part 2.pdf

    The Baker system software has forced this book to be broken into three PDF's. You are a saint for having gotten this far. THIS IS PART TWO. It has its small charms.
  • How to Write a Poem - Interior Part 3.pdf
    The Baker system software has forced this book to be broken into three PDF's. You are very patient! Hope you've enjoyed it thus far. THIS IS PART THREE. The big payoff!
  • How to Write a Poem - Table of Contents
    How to Write a Poem - Table of Contents
  • How to Write a Poem - Intro Spread
    How to Write a Poem - Intro Spread
  • How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 1
    How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 1
  • How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 2
    How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 2
    "The spaces between the keys" -- As a courtesy to your imagination, it might help to look at your keyboard layout as you read this.
  • How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 3
    How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 3
    "Sometimes my mistress shows up at poetry readings" -- Never had more fun reading a poem to a large group (one where a lot of the people know each other) than I had with this one.
  • How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 4
    How to Write a Poem - Random Spread 4
    "The Greatest Poem Ever Written" -- What would such a poem look like? Who would have written it? How would it be received today? Would it paint its face?
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