TALES FROM THE BRICK

With the holiday seasons (Thanksgiving and Christmas) fast approaching, my prison classroom is transforming into a morgue: Dead quiet. Dead Men sitting. Dead Men not walking. Dead Men not talking. No road trips, no ride in the passenger’s seat, no weekend at Bernies—just solitude, just blank passive stares.

 
But these Zombies are capable of reflection. Each has his own personal problems, his own personal demons. I too have mine. I too am not willing to share.  And I’m sure you have your demons as well. Still, we cope.

On a much cheerier note, Jason Evans forwarded the following email correspondence:

Hey Jason, you know that guy who frequently enters your Clarity contests? I can’t recall his name, I’m sorry. I was hoping you could pass this along to him – it might be something he is interested in if he writes poetry. See below. “Law enforcers who write poetry” is a really small niche, I imagine!

—Wendy Russ

Wendy, I think you mean JR. I’ll pass it along to him. Thanks!

 —Jason

Though most content in every issue is open to any style, subject, or poet, we do always have a themed section. Now through February 1, 2012, we’re looking for poets who have worked in Law Enforcement for next summer’s feature. If you’re a working or retired police officer, detective, FBI agent, jailer, etc., please be sure to submit again by the deadline, and also help spread the word to anyone else you know who might be interested. 

—Timothy Green, Editor of Rattle (www.rattle.com).

I don’t consider myself a poet, probably because I don’t write much poetry, but I’ll definitely submit something. Rattle is looking for essay submissions too. Perhaps that’s my niche in this fairly narrow market.

Thanks Wendy. Thanks Jason.

Halloween pics coming soon.