We cancelled our plans for a week in the Alps, alas. Europe is a mess now, with various cross-border restrictions, also inside Germany, and nothing but worry, worry, worry. When I finally caved and cancelled the rental home, I was relieved. Surprisingly there was no service fee, and that was a balm. Nevertheless, we’re worn out with Covid-19. It’s less the inconveniences than the sense of doom. My guess is there won’t be a vaccine even in 2021 and we’re going to have to wait for it to peter out. Here’s hoping.

It’s pretty cold in the Alps right now anyway. I would have enjoyed the view. There was a stack of books I’d planned to read. I had the week free and could have read them of course, but was distracted by my home and projects: the pressure to be productive, the tidying up, the dust.

At least I am not putting any effort into alternatives to the handshake. I don’t need to flash a peace sign, or bow or shrug or stick out my tongue. A distant hello will do. Save your inventiveness for something worthwhile.

I have very few things out under consideration, and continue to struggle with various possible paths involving collage, embroidery, aphorisms. But I have had some publications over the past week/month:

*Zócalo Public Square published one of my erasure poems, Sleepless Night #33.

*I have five visual poetry pieces up at ctrl + v, a publication focusing on multimedia that always features interesting collage. These are ‘by’ collages, all using old paper. In books and essays I’ve read recently I somehow got into the concept of agency, with all the ‘by’ phrases explaining how things happen. I also love anaphora, so the repeat of ‘by’ like an endless catalog of causes appealed to me, and the phrases’ passivity. It has a way of making you sad and angry at the same time.

*The Indianapolis Review also published five visual poems. A couple of these are also collages using ‘by,’ and there are some freer collages referencing books, which I think is coincidence but maybe is not.

I’m also interviewed by Kelcey Parker Ervick, and Amanda Auchter reviews Hotel Almighty. It was really kind of those two and the publication to make room for me.