Tag Archives: Mary Washington College

A few quick words on “Closing Arguments.”

I immensely enjoyed today’s matinee performance of Closing Arguments at The Bear Theater at 302 Campbell Avenue in Roanoke.  (A caveat — I cannot offer an unbiased review here, because a great old college friend, Russell Morgan, is one of the cast.)

But suffice to say I had a blast.  Closing Arguments is an engaging, thoughtful, and genuinely funny comedy delivered by a talented, energetic cast.  It portrays a dysfunctional family reuniting in a small town for a funeral for one of their own, where their latent animosities and neuroses boil over.

Writer and director David Walton was on hand to introduce the performance.  (And it occurs to me as a theater neophyte that there must be a benefit to playwrights directing their own plays — who better to guide actors performances toward matching the intent of the text?)

Anyway, I cheerfully recommend this.  Closing Arguments’ next weekend is its last; if you are interested, you can buy tickets here.



No, there was no escaped tiger running around Cave Spring yesterday.

That was an April Fool’s joke.

I’ve gotta hand it to you people — you’re sharp.  There were verrrry few people who fell for my ruse this year.  (You distinguished believers know who you are.)

Maybe I went too far in naming the fictional “Jowicker” zoological agency.  Or maybe my citing of witness “April Flanagan” was a little too on the nose.

Oh, well.  I can still reminisce with pride about last year’s gem of a hoax.  That one actually worked a little too well — I spent days afterward clarifying for people that I had not joined a traveling dance company for middle-aged performers.



Mark your calendars for David Walton’s “Closing Arguments” on April 4th in Roanoke!

“Closing Arguments” is a new play written by local playwright David Walton — and one of its stars is none other than my friend and fellow Mary Washington alumnus, the brilliant Russell Morgan.

So check it out!  It opens on April 4th, 7:30 PM at 302 Campbell Avenue, SE in Roanoke.  You cand find out more about the show (including ticketing information) right here.



“Bards Across the Pond” is now available over at Amazon.

You can order your copy right here.  Local Gems Press developed this anthology to honor the rich poetic traditions in both America and the United Kingdom. 

Bards Across the Pond includes work from over 120 poets across the United States and over 50 poets from various regions in the UK.  (I am one of the former — if you purchase the volume, I hope you enjoy “The Rough, Violet Stone.”) 😉 



“The Rough, Violet Stone” included in the new “Bards Across The Pond” transatlantic poetry anthology

I’m pleased to announce that my poem “The Rough, Violet Stone” will appear in Bards Across The Pond, A U.S. & U.K. Poetry Anthology.  The upcoming collection is another initiative of Local Gems Press, which has launched many anthologies and events on both sides of the Atlantic.

Bards Across The Pond will showcase outstanding poetry from writers in both America and the United Kingdom.  The official book launch is scheduled for Friday, March 28th, at 7:30PM at The Dog-Eared Bards Book Shop in East Northport, New York.  But you can preorder the book at a discounted price here at Local Gems Press.

Thanks once again to Maddie McGivney and Bards President James P. Wagner for allowing me to see my work in yet another excellent poetry collection!



Spillwords Press publishes “Like White Plumeria Petal”

I am so happy to see Spillwords Press today feature my poem “Like White Plumeria Petal.”  You can find it right here.

Thanks, as always, to Chief Editor Dagmara K. and the staff of Spillwords Press!



I can see!!! I can see!!!

I was at first taken aback by my need to seek (sigh) bifocals.  But that feeling was mitigated entirely by the return of … the world!!  It is rendered in such exquisite detail — even things that are far away!!  (I had no idea that I needed glasses so badly.)

Roanoke’s sweeping wooded vistas are once again completely novel to me.  It’s beauty times two for a transplanted New Yorker.  🙂



Stand in the place where you live. (Now face north.)

Check out these awesome Christmas presents I received from some totally cool Roanoke friends — bookstands for displaying some of the publications that have featured my poems.  🙂

Also among the Yuletide goodies were an Irish coin and a piece of Connemara marble — ideal for setting up beside my copy of The Galway Review 12.



Photography, 2024

I was lucky enough to get a few photos published this past year.  If you’d like to take a gander at them, all of my published photos can be found in the section below:

Photography



Poetry and Commentary, 2024

2024 was a banner year for my poetry.  If you happen to enjoy my ongoing, Kafka-esque portraiture of a neurotic scribbler, all of the year’s publications can be found right here:

Poetry and Commentary, 2024