New Poem Published: Pacing [Op. 51]

My poem, "Pacing", is featured at the very tippy-top* (*Will soon move down the line) of the Poetry Forum of Mad Swirl. Since unfortunately these things get lost in the jumble pretty quickly as far as forums are concerned I'll post it here for a little more posterity.

P.S.- Do you read Portuguese?

Pacing

Back
           Forth
Back
           Forth

“Do you have
To pace like that?”
Asks my Mom,
“You make me
Nervous when you pace
Like that.”

I sit down
But she doesn’t understand
I pace because
Movement of the body
Better facilitates
Movement of the mind

I pace because
I’m too excited
To sit still

I get an idea

I need to walk it

In order to find

Out whether

It has legs

To stand on

And when I’ve sat back down

I have my answer

Pushcart PRIZE!!!

So, I'm trying to act all sorts of excited for the Pushcart Prize nomination with which my publisher has seen fit to honor me. Hence the exclamation points! The problem is I am completely out of the loop on what the "Pushcart Prize" entails. I understand that I'm nominated and that's about how far I've honestly gotten. I guess there are winners? I don't know. Keep in mind this is after I took a gander at the website. Nominations are done by publishers, ye-yup. The stuff goes into a book of some sort. Okay. God, is my ignorance about the poetry world at large really this... vast?

In other auspicious news I've gotten some niblets from heads of venues that might feature me in the future. Stay tuned and I'll update as updates come. So far it's just prospective but I can see at least 1 or 2 of them turning into something. I hope a win with the Pushcarts can bolster my self-esteem after having lost the N.E.A. I was pretty bummed about that one, but on with the show! I found out just before Thanksgiving.

I leave you with a promo from my publisher. This time geared toward the Christmas season. Happy Holidays, folks! I know I've got my Elvis, my Phil Spector, and my Vince Guaraldi playing.

Publisher: Forget the Calling Birds and Golden Rings...may we suggest the recent release from Euphrates Arnaut Moss, Early Harvest. 

Hello, this is Euphrates Moss, it is so difficult at this time
To say words that would express my feelings
About the book to which you have just read
A book that has been in the planning for many, many months

First, let me thank all the people who worked so hard with me
In the production of this book and in my endeavor and desire
To bring something new and different to the words of Christmas
And to the publishing industry which is so much a part of my life

Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you
For giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
Of Christmas through the words that I love

At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists
And on behalf of all of them, The Crystals, The Ronettes
Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and myself

May we wish you the very merriest of Christmases
And the happiest of New Years, and thank you so very much
For letting us spend this Christmas with you