A Christmas Childhood.....Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year

Some pics of Donegal snow-covered last Spring. : )

A Christmas Childhood by Patrick Kavanagh. I really love this poem, it reminds me so much of my own childhood - the smells, sounds, movement. I always re-read this poem every Christmas and it still has the same power to leave me totally speechless and transfixed back in childhood again.

Loch Raven Review Acceptance

Hanoi Photo - taken from a balcony.

Loch Raven Review Acceptance

Yesterday, I got an acceptance for Loch Raven Review. I'm really chuffed about this as the poem they accepted was a different style for me - one that I wrote on my return from Barcelona after having my head full of Miró and Picasso and balconies and people watching. It is called 'Exhibition.' : ) And some 30:30 poet friends are in there as well - Annie Bien, Michaela Gabriel and Jude Goodwin - it's great to be amongst them.
That's 2 days in a row of good poetic news - would love to believe that good things happen in 3s.: )

Mad Hatter's Review Honourable Mention Winner

Mad Hatter's Review wrote to me this morning to say that I was the Honourable Mention Winner in their The Wrong Roof competition. I am still trembling with excitement at this news : ) I totally love the zine and this was just my second time ever entering a poetry competition and my first time ever submitting anything to Mad Hatter's Review. The name of the poem is 'Cast Away Unnecessary Layers' and it will be in their next issue. Definitely going out to celebrate today. : )

Famara in Lanzarote - A Volcanic Island in the Sun

Famara in Lanzarote Island is where we are escaping to for Christmas. I am really excited about it as we are taking the car and going by ship on the night of the 25th. There is a kind of magic attached to this as we will be sleeping in a cabin and leaving at 11.45pm. I like the idea of being on a sort of high seas on that special night : ) We have rented an apartment in this non-touristic village, we'll be there for a week. We have friends living there too so plan to meet up and have a full gown and bow-tie affair on New Year's Eve.

Finished 4th Round of 30:30 ......Six Brick Press Rejection

30:30

Just finished my 4th round and must admit to being relieved. I was about to opt out on a few occasions due to tiredness and flu and being unable to settle to write. So glad I kept at it though as I think I've got a few pieces from it that might be worth revising and fine-tuning. As usual, the support and fun were pantamount in
keeping going. It really is a special place. : )

Rejection from Six Brick Press

I got the following rejection from Bard. At least it's not a real keep-away-from-my-zine-in-the-future rejection. Bard seems to have a nice way about him. I might try again with him at some stage.

Dear Liz,

The selections for the next issue of Six Little Things have been made and I'm sorry to say your work was not among them, this time. Submissions for this issue numbered well over two hundred, surprising the pants off me, and it was difficult to select a final six. My final decision was based mostly on how the works fit the theme and how they fit together — my favorite of yours was "In The Kitchen With Chestnuts and Tomatoes" which had, for me, precisely the right balance of chaos and order. I really hope you'll let me see more of your work for future issues.

I truly appreciate your sharing your work with me. For any new magazine, that show of faith is always very reassuring. I appreciate your patience in awaiting a response.


yours,

Bard Cole, ed.
Six Little Things