Reading back through an old notebook, I rediscovered some fine insights by fiction writer Tim Weed, originally shared during a talk he gave at the yearly meeting of the NE Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He spoke of creating stories that will build lingering meaning for readers. Weed started by playing two pieces …
Read more “A spear in the darkness”
Today the corn is new, no higher than my knee, and at this height it has a special color: luminous green under the overcast sky. The clouds are thick and dark, like a stew. For some, this place might seem always the same: the corn growing, the looming mountain, the lone trees far off across …
Read more “Unexpected Encounters”
Exciting news! I’ve been selected as the new Writer in Residence for the Forbes Library in Northampton, MA. I’ll serve as the WriR for the next 2 years, 2015-2017. I’m delighted! Press Release The Forbes has been a literary home for me in Northampton and I’m so pleased to have this chance to give back …
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image courtesy of The Common Online We were tipsy and in a good mood, Paul and I, coming home from our favorite bar in the whirlings of this season’s first “historic snowstorm,” when I noticed the figure floundering in the snow. He was a dark clot of winter coat and baggy pants, on his knees, …
I have an article out in Science News for Students this week, on the immune system, and how computers are allowing us to create simulated immune-cell interactions that mimic the human body and healing: Virtual Wounds: Computers probe healing It’s written for young people age 8 to 18. When the body needs to deliver immune …
Read more “Immune system in a computer”
I have a profile out today in Smith College’s Insight magazine, on Smith College Lyman Conservatory manager Rob Nicholson. It describes his adventures in plant-collecting expeditions around the globe: An Aztec curse seemed like a minor obstacle as Rob Nicholson, manager for the Lyman Conservatory of the Botanic Garden of Smith College, climbed a monkey-hand …
My first book of poetry is coming out this week! It’s an art book in collaboration with photographer Paul Ickovic, pairing my poetry with his photographs, including previously unpublished pictures. It’s titled Gorgeous Infidelities. The poems match the sense of urban and personal dislocation and storytelling imagery of Mr. Ickovic’s photography, most often focusing on …
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Alison Hawthorne Deming, a poet and essayist who focuses on issues of science and the environment, visited Smith this week to speak from her work. She had some wonderful comments during a Q&A on her writing. I always ask environmental writers how they maintain hope in the face of the immense challenges we face: species …
Health monitors to measure heart rate and steps per day are getting smaller and smaller, and cheaper and cheaper. Soon, researchers say, they’ll be the size of a band-aid, flexible, and disposable. Plus, they’ll measure chemicals in sweat that could detect stress, fatigue, or even heart or liver failure. My latest article, on new nanotechnology …
Read more “A Fitbit in a band-aid”
Latest essay at The Common Online – art and solitude in company: * Vignettes from Western Massachusetts Two men scrape blue paint from the wall of the building across the street. They sit cross-legged, each plying his scraper with energy. The one on the right is thickset, wearing a gray t-shirt stained with sweat. The …
Read more “The Company of Strangers”