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August Best: Slow Lane

In past years I've had a great time participating in the Sealey Challenge, in which you read a collection of poetry a day for the month of August. It's a great way to catch up with new work and older poems that you've never read before. Last year, though, I bombed out after two days, which is like quitting the New York marathon while you're still lacing up your sneakers. For that reason, I set a very modest goal yesterday: read one poem a day from The Best American Poetry 2023 (Elaine Equi, guest editor; David Lehman, series editor). This way I'll be ready for The Best American Poetry 2024, which débuts on September 3rd.  My hope is that taking my time with the book will inspire some projects, too.

Yesterday's poem was "The Bluish Mathematics of Darkness," by Will Alexander, and today's is "Covering Stan Getz," by Michael Anania. You can read the latter work online at The Cafe Review.

The Poetry Friday roundup for August 2nd is at author Laura Purdie Salas's place.

Following in Alexander's footsteps led me to this video of Getz on the BBC's "Shirley Bassey Show."

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  1. Janice Scully Avatar
    Janice Scully

    A good idea to read just a new poem a day. I loved the Getz video, Desafinado is one of my favorite pieces and it’s so wonderfully done. Thanks for adding it to my evening! The poem was short and rather like music, enough to ponder for a day. 🙂

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  2. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    And lots of air in the poem, too, with those short lines & stanzas, kinda like a sax. I was reminded how important breath is in both. Thanks for visiting, Janice.

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  3. Heidi Avatar
    Heidi

    Susan, that’s been my trouble too–I’m not sure why but I have a really hard time reading through a whole book at a sitting. (It might have something to do with my “especially sensitive nervous system”–I get overloaded.) Your approach is a good one and I might join you! I like seeing a very short poem selected for a Best collection!

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  4. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Heidi, please do jump in! It would be great to talk about the poems with another reader, too.

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  5. Robyn Hood Black Avatar
    Robyn Hood Black

    I’m a great admirer of you all who have taken on the Sealey Challenge in recent years – I never seem to remember it until the start has passed! Love the idea of a poem a day, which offers real time to let it simmer or soak in. And thanks for the lovely music. :0)

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  6. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    You’re welcome, Robyn! I’m only two days in but so far, so good with the poem a day. 🙂

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  7. Laura Purdie Salas Avatar
    Laura Purdie Salas

    Hooray for a poem a day! Small, reachable goals do so much good in this world! I did the Sealey last year, but…I didn’t love it. It became a chore instead of a joy. I don’t know exactly why. I admired everyone ELSE who did it, though :>) Enjoy your daily poem, Susan!

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  8. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    “Small, reachable goals do so much good in this world!” Yes, they do. Thank you for that, Laura. It’s a small project that I’m now excited about.

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  9. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs

    A poem a day sounds perfect. I decided to read a daily poem/rhyming book to my two-year-old grandson this August. I’m overjoyed that I get to be here with him. Enjoy your Sealey Challenge, and looking forward to the 2024 edition of The Best American Poetry.

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  10. Michelle Kogan Avatar
    Michelle Kogan

    Appreciations for this interlude with Stan Getz always a fav of mine, and the poem, “CoveringStan Getz,” with interesting twists and curves following his music. Sounds like you’ve got a handle on the Sealey project this year, thanks for all Susan!

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  11. Molly Hogan Avatar
    Molly Hogan

    I love how you’ve personalized the Sealey Challenge to work for you. I’ve always admired those who have done the challenge, but have never been able to envision myself doing so. For me, it would be too much to take in at one time–the old “drinking from the fire house” analogy! I love the brevity and space of “Covering Stan Getz”. Thanks for sharing it here today.

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  12. Susan T. Avatar
    Susan T.

    Denise, what a wonderful way to share your love of poetry!
    Michelle, reading the poem has got me interested in listening to more Stan Getz. I’m glad that this Slow Lane project has given me some time to explore.
    Molly, yes on the brevity! In her introduction, Elaine Equi confesses an affinity for short poems.

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  13. Mary Lee Avatar
    Mary Lee

    I’m giggling a bit at “like quitting the New York marathon while you’re still lacing up your sneakers.” I managed last year by reading poetry picture books. This year, I’m committing to 30 minutes a day, so that means I get to spend three days with YOU ARE HERE by Ada Limón. I absolutely believe I write better (and more) poetry when I’m reading poetry. It happened when I read a poem a day from Jane Hirschfield’s new collection. Next up, I have a bunch of Naomi Shihab Nye checked out from the library. I SO wish we could meet up at the NYPL cafe and chat!

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  14. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Mary Lee, come back to NYC! Did you see the You Are Here segment on PBS Newshour last night? It was great! I clapped at the end.

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