Favorite Things to End 2020 & A Poem by Lucille Clifton...
Happy New Year (almost!)
What a year! I hope this note finds you doing as well as possible and holding a little hope for 2021. As we come to the end of 2020, I want to share the poem I have been returning to, a poem that reminds us there is no map but there is always something to be grateful for. . . and also, we lived.
For much of my life, I've felt as if I have had some sense of what is ahead of us, but in 2020, I was the person who called everything wrong. I mean, I bought tickets to Ireland in February. I stumbled. I zoomed. I said, "Oh sorry, I was on mute" several times this year.
Right now, I still feel as if I'm waiting for Halloween to arrive. Seasons came and went without me. My worst self wanted to complain, but my best self said, "You are living through a pandemic--be gentle on yourself and others. Try to find the good."
My best self said, "Did you see the otter and the buffleheads in the canal today? Did you see how close the planets were in the night sky?" There is still beauty around us. Sometimes we have to aim our gaze towards what's working, to nature, to the people who are offering light and love generously.
Normally this year, I send out my list of favorite things, ideas for holiday shopping, but instead, I want to share some organizations, opportunities, and some authors I think are doing good work in the world and maybe you'll see something you want to connect with or want share with someone else.
OPPORTUNITIES & CLASSES:
Interested in publishing a book of poems?
ONLINE ZOOM CLASS - Demystifying the Poetry Manuscript: How to Conceptualize, Organize, & Publish Your Poetry Book: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, from 10 am - 4 pm with Kelli Russell Agodon & Susan Rich plus special guest Pulitzer Prize-nominated Diane Seuss & Award-Winning Poet January Gill O'Neil Learn more here, prices go up January 2nd.
Two Sylvias Press Wilder Poetry Book Prize for Women over 50: Deadline December 31, 2020
National Poetry Series (seeking full-length poetry manuscripts): Opens in January 2021
A new press Riot in Your Throat, founded by Courtney LeBlanc is seeking full-length manuscripts of poems by fierce feminist voices in January.
Interested in publishing some poems?
The Maine Review: Deadline Dec. 31st!
Without a Doubt: Poems Illuminating Faith (anthology from New York Quarterly) Deadline Feb. 2, 2021
Rumpus Poetry Orginal Reading Periods: a short reading period--January 15th-31, 2021.
SOME FAVORITE BOOKS:
Obit by Victoria Chang (poems)
Guillotine: Eduardo Corral (poems)
Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, & Change by Maggie Smith
Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What's Next: Jennifer Louden
Write It! 100 Poetry Prompts to Inspire!: by Nickole Brown & Jessica Jacobs
ORGANIZATIONS I SUPPORT:
Cave Canem: Founded in 1996 to remedy the underrepresentation of Black poets in the literary landscape.
West Sound Wildlife Shelter: A Pacific Northwest organization that offers sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife a second chance. (On a personal note: I drove an injured robin to them and was incredibly thankful I had a place to take it.)
Color of Change: A racial justice movement for Black people & allies.
Kiva: Micro-loans to individuals all around the world. (Note: this is also a great way for parents to encourage kids in giving--I began doing this with my daughter in 2007 and would have her choose who she wanted to give to. Also, 98% of the loans we gave were paid back in full. ) https://www.kiva.org/
Kundiman: Dedicated to nurturing generations of Asian American writers and readers.
Raices Texas: On the front lines working for immigrant's rights and trying to reconnect separated families of asylum seekers.
Copper Canyon Press: A nonprofit poetry press that has continued to put out books of poems this year despite the challenges of the pandemic which has really limited their ability to go into their office.
Win/Win: You can also donate to Copper Canyon Press AND preorder my next book of poems, Dialogues with Rising Tides, by clicking here! (Scheduled to come out April 2021 --and yes, I am still ridiculously excited about it!)
So dear humans who have all been through so much this year, I send you wishes for a year that surprises you with all good things and a huge dose of love, joy, and light.
And if you are down or just ever need a poem sent to your inbox, drop me a line, I've got you covered.
May we all work to take care of each other in 2021.
Love, light, and poetry,
Kells
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Kelli Russell Agodon
Poet/Writer/Editor, Two Sylvias Press kelli@agodon.com Website: www.agodon.com
Dialogues with Rising Tides, forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press in 2021
