A Triumphant Yawp!!

I did it. It’s done. Save for a few minor edits and revisions, my second manuscript, The Journals of Lt. Kendal Everly: A Story of the American Civil War, is done and should be on book shelves later this year.

It was tough nut to crack, much darker than my first book, but it’s done and I’m happy.

Here’s the book’s first poem, the first entry in Kendal Everly’s journal. Everly is a teacher and a pacifist. He writes this not long before the Civil War begins.

English: Gen. Charles Griffin (1825 – 1867) (as Captain), career officer in the United States Army and a Union general in the American Civil War. He rose to command a corps in the Army of the Potomac and fought in many of the key campaigns in the Eastern Theater. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the Place

April 1, 1861

Here, beneath these trees –
oak and ash – shadows lay
like blankets spread
for a community of picnics.
I feast on a moment’s song:

breezes, still laced
with March’s chill, weave
as ribbons about these limbs,
Giggling children dart
behind stalwart trunks

hiding from each other and me –
children teasing me, their teacher,
as I walked to school.

But this spring rumbles.
Men who drape themselves
in the dark robes of politics

brandish words as warriors
brandish swords –
and I am afraid.

Related articles

• A Civil War Apocalypse (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
• A Poem from my Forthcoming Book (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
• Confederate Ghosts (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)

I Got Some Fan Mail

I was very happy to receive this note earlier today. It’s from someone who read my book, Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War. Please allow me to share it with you here.

——————————————————————————-

Scott,

I received the book between 4:30 and 5:00 this afternoon. Once I got a few minutes to pause, I read the first 35 pages before I absolutely had to put it down.

Scott, this work is excellent! Have you ever served in combat? I have, and the sensual and emotional nuances you’ve captured here are genuine.

On the other hand, for the very reasons I’ve stated, it’s a gut-wrenching read, and that, my friend, is maybe the highest accolade I can give you.

——————————————————————————-

A nice Christmas gift.

Related articles

• I Wonder as I Wander – Why? (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
• Private Hercules Nominated for a Pushcart Prize (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
• Sunday Poem: Peace (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)

Immanuel – God’s Tangibility

Artist: Thomas Nast (September 27, 1840 – December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist who is considered to be the “Father of the American Cartoon”.

The picture posted here is one of the earliest images Santa Clause. Modern depictions of Father Christmas are rooted in images such as this. Today, I hope all of you are enjoying Christmas day with the same enthusiasm, with the same spirit that Old Saint Nick enjoys it.

Now, if you allow me to quote my favorite book, let me share a bit more about Christmas, at least what it means to me.

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel“—which means, “God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (KJV)

This day, and throughout the new year, I pray that you will experience the tangibility of God. It’s miraculous.

God bless and Merry Christmas.

Related articles

• Santa – Yup, He’s Real (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)

Santa – Yup, He’s Real

An early incarnation of Santa by artist Thomas Nast.

I believe in Santa Clause. I also believe in darting around my house wielding a lightsaber. And then there are those times when I believe I’m a dragon trainer (my son is the dragon), a superhero, a sea monster, or a…well, whatever a moment of play calls for. Yup, I believe.

Believing in Santa isn’t foolish. It’s symptomatic of something incredible – imagination and wonderment. I’ve written before about wondering and why I wonder. Quite honestly, I don’t know why, but I do and I’m glad. I’m a literature teacher. I surround myself in wonderment as I “work.” I’m a writer. I create my own realities, realities I step into, realities I breathe in. It’s astounding, absolutely astounding.

Yes, I believe in Santa Clause.

This Christmas, sip a time or two from belief’s goblet. It’ll make for a merrier Christmas. I promise.

One more Christmas post to make. I’ll do that tomorrow, Christmas Day. See you then.

Related articles

• Santa Claus Tracker 2012 (forthemommas.com)

Your Address, Please

An address. We all have one: 55 Center Avenue., 12 Lily Drive, 36 Old Run Lane, 3 Pine Boulevard. The place where our lives unfold, where our children grow up, and where our diligence is invested is reduced to a combination of numbers and letters. My life deserves more than that.

Ever read the novel or see the movie Gone with the Wind? Scarlett, the story’s protagonist, doesn’t battle the hell of America’s Civil War for an address. She battles for Tara. Yup, her home is named Tara. Elegant and graceful, that name turns a house into a living, breathing, feeling persona.

Elrond, an elf king from JRR Tolkien’s novel The Fellowship of the Ring, doesn’t live at 8 Keebler Drive. He abides in Rivendell, a place of magic, history, and tradition. And Bilbo, Tolkien’s famed hobbit, spends his hours at Bag End.

Even Shakespeare’s greatest tyrant, Macbeth, went home to Inverness. Yes, Inverness ultimately houses a grisly murder, but I’d much rather be murdered in a place called Inverness. 13 Elm Street just doesn’t have the same charm.

This morning, I’ve been thinking what I could call my home. It’s a warm, welcoming, humble dwelling. It sits on a small swatch of property shaded by tall pines, silver birches, and mighty oaks. Perhaps, The Glade would be an appropriate name for my home. Or maybe, because it’s built on a knoll, Summers’ Hill would work well.

Still, I’m glad I can call it home. My wife is there. My children are there. Yes, home sounds good.

The Skull On My Desk

I don’t have a desk. I have a couch. When I write, I sit on it. I’m sitting on it now. I don’t have a desk. But, if I did, I’d put a skull on it. My desk would sit in a dark room that harbored musty scents, earth and wood. It would sit in a room illuminated by candles and be cluttered with large leather books, and maps, and parchment…and there’d be a skull on it – if I had a desk, but I don’t.

I Wonder as I Wander – Why?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about one of my habits, a habit that, in part, compels me to write: I wonder. I grant my mind liberty and let it travel where it might. But why do I wonder?

As a child, I often visited places I was unable to travel to physically; however, I did travel to these places both mentally and emotionally. Simply stated, I employed my imagination. As all children do, I embarked on incredible adventures. I explored the reaches of space. I grappled with undersea tyrants. I flew. I spoke to animals. I became animals. I piloted starships. I…well, I did it all. But all kids do. Right? But I’m not a kid anymore. A few days ago, I turned 44. Guess what. I’m still piloting starships.

Psychological studies suggest that people wonder, or day dream, because it helps them relax, manage conflicts, boost creativity, and relieve boredom. I’ve no doubt that all of this is true, but I believe that, for me, it’s more. When my mind zooms me to new and other places, it’s asking me to knit reality to the dream. It wants me to blend each into one. When I write, that’s exactly what happens.

For the last few years, I’ve been writing about the American Civil War. My efforts resulted in my first book, Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the Civil War. Currently I’m writing a second volume of Civil War poetry, The Journals of Lt. Kendal Everly. Respectively, each book tells the story of its title character; however, it also tells my story. As I carved each story, I lived each story. I smelt the cannon smoke. I trod upon earth muddy with blood. For me, my poems are much more than poems; they’re memories.

So, I’m a writer. I write because I wonder and I wonder to weave reality with fantasy – but why do that?

Related articles

• Lt. Kendal Everly Finds His Lungs (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)

Private Hercules Nominated for a Pushcart Prize

My book, Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War, was recently nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

The following is from the Pushcart website – http://www.pushcartprize.com/

“The Pushcart Prize - Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America. Hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in the pages of our annual collections.

Writers who were first noticed here include:
Raymond Carver, Tim O’Brien, Jayne Anne Phillips, Charles Baxter, Andre Dubus, Susan Minot, Mona Simpson, John Irving, Rick Moody, and many more. Each year most of the writers and many of the presses are new to the series.

Our Pushcart Prize editions are found in most libraries and bookstores. Each volume contains an index of past selections, plus lists of outstanding presses with addresses.

The Pushcart Prize Fellowships is the endowment for The Pushcart Prize, and appreciates contributions in any amount. For more information contact Bill Henderson at Pushcart Press.”

Needless to say, I am honored and terribly excited!

Wonderful: Exploring Why I Write – Entry I

It’s Sunday morning. My family and I are usually getting ready for church. It’s my job to get my son (8) dressed in churchy clothes. I also comb his hair. It’s my wife’s job to critique my work. Do his clothes match? Does his hair look good? It’s a system, a good system, a routine that I enjoy; however, thanks to Hurricane Sandy, our church, Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park, NJ, is powerless. Electricity is presently a rare and valued commodity in Northern New Jersey. Sadly, this morning’s church service has been cancelled. Lord willing, we’ll be back in church next week.

It’s 8am. My son is wearing a Snoopy t-shirt and a pair of jeans with a hole in the right knee. And his hair, it’s still disheveled. (So is mine.) Obviously, I’ve a bit more time than I usually have on a Sunday morning, time to think a bit, time to wonder.

That’s why I write. That’s why I’m a poet. Well, it’s one reason, anyway. I wonder. As much as I can, I sit still and wonder.

In my next post, I’ll explore this “wondering” a bit more. I’ll wonder why I wonder.

“Voices from History” Poetry Tour Visits Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

The “Voices from History” poetry tour visits Franklin Lakes, New Jersey on November 7, 7pm at the Franklin Lakes Public Library

Franklin Lakes Public Library
470 DeKorte Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417

201-891-2224

http://www.franklinlakeslibrary.org/index.html

In the program “Voices from History,” a study of history through poetry, S. Thomas Summers (Scott) provides a tour of the battlefields and camps of the Civil War through the eyes of Confederate soldier Hercules McGraw, and David Vincenti offers a view of the life of Galileo Galilei that will surprise many who think they already know the famous astronomer. Through their compelling verse and discussion of the times about which their poems speak, Scott and David will entertain fans of poetry and fans of history alike.

David Vincenti (www.davidvincenti.com) is a father, husband, poet, engineer, accordionist, and project manager. His poems have appeared in the Paterson Literary Review, the Edison Literary Review, and The Journal of New Jersey Poets, and have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. His first chapbook, To The Ones Who Must Be Loved, was published in 2010. David curates the Spoken Word Series at The Theater Company in Hoboken, NJ.

S. Thomas Summers (www.thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com) is a teacher at Wayne Hills High School and an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College. He is the author of two chapbooks: Death Settled Well (Shadows Ink Publications, 2006) and Rather, It Should Shine (Pudding House Press, 2007). Scott’s book, Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War (Anaphora Literary Press), was published in 2011. It is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

This reading is free and open to the public.