subtext

As we go into Thanksgiving I would like to thank some people and places for making poetry such an integral part of my life for the majority of my life. Poetry has made my life richer, so thanks to all of you for making me happy.

List of people, places, and organizations that have caused me, helped me and/or kept me writing throughout my life:

Public school teachers:  Ms. Buffalo (first grade), Ms. Nugent (third grade), Cliff Berkman and Ann Lockstedt Jones (high school). 

College teachers:  Albert Goldbarth and Kurt Heinzelman (the University of Texas), Carol Oles, Courtney Cazden and Shirley Brice-Heath (The Bread Loaf School of English).

Relatives and friends:  Lisa, Donna Neal, Ezra Neal, Quinn Neal, Lilith Neal, Steve Adams, Hope Burwell, Christine Derbyshire, Nathan Smith, Carol and Carl Trovall.

Places:  Poetry Workshops at The University of Texas and The Breadloaf School of English, The Open Door Writer’s workshop in Victoria (1977-1978).

Organizations: Memorabilia (Art and Writing Club in high school), The National Writing Project, the Heart of Texas Writing Project, The Bread Loaf School of English

And of course the hundreds and hundreds of books of poetry I have scattered all over my house.