Mount Saint Mary College Reading, 4/17/08

I'll be reading at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY this Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 4:00 PM. Join me in the Curtin Memorial Library in Aquinas Hall. It will be open to the public and free of charge. Refreshments will be served. For directions, click on MSMC.

This coincides with the Academy of American Poets' first national Poem In Your Pocket Day. Here's their idea: "Select a poem then carry it with you (poem in your pocket) and unfold it with family, friends, and coworkers throughout the day." I'm not sure yet which poem I'll carry with me, but I'm thinking of something by Tomas Transtromer, Elizabeth Bishop, or Theodore Roethke. Or Emily Dickinson, or Charles Wright...

Happy Poetry Month!

The photograph was taken at the orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden.

Sunset, Dumpster

Sometimes, when you pull over the car to take a picture of an irresistible sunset, your eyes get tugged to the side by an unexpected gleaming place, by an object that calls out with its own spectacular colors and life. Just like poetry. What you set out to capture, to put down in ink, was really just leading you somewhere else.

Photo taken 4/12/08 off Route 22, Brewster, NY.

West Side YMCA Reading -- Pedestal Magazine

It was an honor to be part of the first Writer's Voice poetry event held in the new Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater at the West Side YMCA. And an honor to read with the featured reader, Edward Hirsch, and John Amen and George Wallace. Our four very different types of poetry and presentation, along with John's music, made for an intriguing synergy. At least it felt that way to me. The audience seemed attentive and enthusiastic. Thank you. I had great time. Leaving the Y with family and friends, walking west, the crescent moon was perfectly framed by the Empire Hotel (with its red neon sign) and a neighboring building. Did anyone else notice that? It was so unseasonably warm that we sat outside at Fiorello's for a celebratory bite to eat.

Poets in photo, left to right: Edward Hirsch, George Wallace, John Amen, CBK.

The Pedestal Magazine Poetry Reading Thursday Night, 4/10/08

You are invited to
The Writer's Voice Visiting Author Series
Pedestal Magazine Event
featuring Edward Hirsch,
George Wallace, John Amen and Christine Boyka Kluge

Thursday, April 10, 2008
at 8:00 PM
at the West Side YMCA
Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater
5 West 63rd Street
(between Central Park West and Broadway)
New York City

Wines from 67 Wine, books from Mobile Libris

The photograph was taken at the Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, 4/4/08. Click on the photo to get the full splash of color. Love this camera!

Face to Face with an Orchid

The orchid show at The New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York is a mesmerizing splash of colors, patterns, and textures. During these bleak early spring days, it's a spectacular feast for the eyes. We traveled there in Friday's drizzle and were delighted to step into the contrasting lush kingdom of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Reviewing the photos this morning, the blooms still dazzle. I loved getting face to face with each variety, but the slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) were my favorites. That's the one in the photo above. Unfortunately, today is the last day of the exhibit. If you live close enough, find a way to get there.

Click on the photo to enlarge and see amazing details!

Ghost Doll

You're right. It was WAY too beautiful to stay inside.

(Just click on the photos to enlarge the images.)

The Devil's Needle: Photographer Stu Jenks

Artists seem to resist strict classification. The creative force wants to express itself regardless of what form it takes. Stu Jenks, a photographer based in Tucson, is also a musician and now a writer. It's fascinating to read what he writes on his blog about his creative process, to follow his evolving methods, to witness his discoveries about the landscape, the people, and himself. He places himself at the intersection of planned location and beautiful accident. He's open to what arrives and captures it on film. Here's a link to his blog post about his visit to The Devil's Needle, Arbroath, Scotland.

Photo by Stu Jenks, used with permission.