Twenty-five Cent Stories

For years now I’ve had on my favorite piece of carry-on luggage–a black hard shell by Michael Graves–a sticker that read: “Bush’s Last Day: 1.20.09.” That day seemed a long time coming and it’s finally here with President Barack Obama.

I don’t know about anyone else, but the next exciting thing to watching the inauguration of our first African-American president is the reading of an inaugural poem by Elizabeth Alexander, shining some lime-light on poetry to America and the global community. I’m interested to read what PoBiz bloggers think of it. I’d like to hear it again or read it, as the poem seem underwhelming. But that’s not to discredit Ms. Alexander: an occasion poem is as hard to write as any form, and apparently one that even Nathaniel Mackey, Sandra Cisneros, Charles Simic, and Sharon Olds did not accomplish when asked to write one.

But who comes through as always? That Gary Soto. Soto wrote an Ode to Obama for the Associated Press entitled “Making the News.” And it’s a good one at that. It carries the signature imagery and humor, much of it underhanded cuts to Bush and his cronies on Wall Street, Soto is known for.

In 1999, NASA commissioned Mr. Soto to write a poem for them resulting in “A Boy’s First Flight.”

On January 1, 2009, my wife and I were privileged  to attend The Soto’s New Year’s Shogatsu where Mr. Soto announced his AP invitation to write an occasion poem for then President-elect Obama followed by his reading of “Making the News.” Here a pic of Soto’s print out. Also, video of Soto reading his poem is also available on the web. Enjoy!

Okay so the week I was supposed to announce the Claudia Diniz Poetry Giveaway winners the new school quarter started and I was swamped with more work than I had anticipated. So I have randomly selected two winners this time around. They are: Angela and Adam. I will contact them two folks to send them their signed copies of DFE.

 In other news Adela Najarro is on the radio! You can listen to her read spanish poetry on KSUPD’s Poetry Show with Dennis Morton.

While at Target I always check out the books they carry in stock to know what the entire nation is reading. Lo and behold I come to see fellow Macondista Lorraine Lopez, having hit the big time, has her new novel The Gifted Galbadan Sisters sold at Target (It’s a “Bookmarked Breakout”)! And each time I visit Target, which is often, there is one less copy on the shelf, so the girl is selling.

This week our poetry giveaway is sponsored by Claudia Diniz of San Jose, California. For a chance to win a signed copy of The Date Fruit Elegies answer the question below as a comment and you will automatically be entered for the random drawing. This contest is eligible only to legal and illegal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico. The winner will be announced on Sunday morning, January 11. Good luck!

What new year’s resolution do you expect to break first?