ME READING STUFF (Robyn O'Neil)

My first real podcast, simply me reading you one of my favorite poems.

I am a lake. I am a tongue. I am a spirit. I am fevered. I am not covetous. I am the Dark Cavalier. I am the torch. I arise. I ask. I blow. I bring. I cannot change. I cannot look. I climb the hill. I come. I dream. I envy. I found. I heard. I intended an Ode. I know. I love. I must not grieve, my love. I never. I pant. I remember. I saw thee once. I traveled. I wandered. I will. I will. I will. I will.

Carson McCullers is a personal hero, and while I’d love to read all of The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter to you, that’d be ridiculous. So what better way to start a Monday than reading a poem about the maddening enchantment of love?

Today, you’ll hear me reading the great Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai. This guy hit on all cylinders. And with Amichai, those cylinders embedded themselves in things as diverse as sex, agitated lawyers, prayer, geometry & home.

My friend Tim sent me a Mark Strand poem. I immediately loved it. Then I punctuate the reading with a Mark Strand translation of Rafael Alberti. I also talk about laundry and taxes.

Today I sing to you from an unnamed hotel in an unnamed city. I tell you about how I'm now on iTunes, so please subscribe. Most importantly, I read to you the unrivaled and most complex of all romantics, Anne Carson. She talks here of hitting the wall, and then of alcohol, memory and blood.

This week conjured up many lines from Charles Bukowski's "The Genius of the Crowd", so that's what I'm reading, amongst the bugs, today.

Stop seeking average (imperative),
Robyn

Today I barely have a voice, but I went ahead and attempted to read anyway. Apologies for the gravel. The poem today is "Dream Song 22 (Of 1826)" from John Berryman's 77 Dream Songs. By chance, this poem happens to mention the 4th of July, so there you have it. Celebrate. Eat something. Stand in the heat. Look to the sky. Yours, Robyn

I am getting better all the time, but I wish nothing bothered me. I meet those people. I live with one of those people. People able to move through life without unnecessary upset. Those are the best people. And dispositionally fortunate.

But for those of us irritated, today I read Lydia Davis's "I'm Pretty Comfortable, But I Could Be a Little More Comfortable." It's funny, it's relatable, and I'm hungry. Yours, Robyn

When a poem starts with the line, "Get out of my walled infinity," I'm so in. I discovered the work of Serbian poet Vasko Popa this weekend, and can't get enough. What I can get enough of is how unpalatable these recordings sound to me, so I ask you guys for mic setup suggestions. And I promise, there will be no Kickstarter. I got this.

Out of my mouthful of sun,
Robyn

If you were looking for a triad of DEATH and FAMILY WOES poems, well guess what? I'm here for you! Today, we have some heavy hitters, including one of my very favorite people who ever walked the face of the Earth, Robinson Jeffers. The other two are Heinrich Heine and Frank Stanford. I love them both dearly as well.
And I love you, Robyn (slightly over my time limit today and I'm so so so so sorry)

Shhhhhh, this is my WEEKEND BONUS ROUND!!!!! Tonight, as rain fell on Los Angeles and I digested an entire tower of Salt & Vinegar Pringles (SPONSORSHIP PLEA), I decided to read you a hilarious piece by Jason Preu called "Billie Jean King." In it, he informs us of the devastating news that she is not Michael Jackson's lover.

Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts,
Robyn

Today was filled with technical glitches, gin-soaked women, and me accidentally stumbling into a replica of Buffalo Bill's lair. Only this one had a crying baby in a playpen, making it that much more fun.

With all the excitement, I almost didn't get around to reading you "Blue Song" by Tennessee Williams. But look at me, I did it. And what a poem it is.

I am tired too, Mr. Williams,
Robyn

Today I sit on some bathroom floor water and read to you powerful poems by Heather Christle. She's alive right now. And so are you apparently. All of this is a good thing. These poems brought up cherished memories of reading François Rabelais and listening to Nina Nastasia. Let me know what they do for you.

I eat stars, Robyn

Along with reading e.e. cummings, today I challenge you to write your own poem. But here's the premise. You are Channing Tatum. And this is your secret erotic poetry. Email your finished work to oneilassistant@gmail.com. Winner receives a special drawing made by me!

All my love, Channing Tatum

Today is just highly erotic. It must be because I'm going to a RUSH concert tonight. Geddy Lee is the picture of SEX, am I right?

Today, I read a beautiful short poem by Emily Moore. She is a poet, musician, and a high school english teacher. I'm thrilled to have been introduced to her work.

And as your little appetizer, I read my first Channing Tatum erotic poetry entry, and in it, we learn that Channing Tatum has fallen in love with Jimmy Fallon. Listen to the e.e. cummings episode to find out more about the contest I'm conducting through August.

RIP Cecil the Lion. I'm sorry that humans are wretched.

Love, Robyn

Hearing Leonard Cohen read his "A Note To The Reader" in the documentary I'M YOUR MAN is about 6 billion times better than hearing me read it, but that didn't stop me from clumsily reading it through my early-morning-sinus coughs. I also read two Rilke poems that you'll enjoy if you have blood inside your body.

From the Underground, with love,
Robyn

I'm hesitant to expose myself the way I did in this episode, but what are you gonna do? Apparently when you're me, what you do is embarrass yourself. Why the hell not.

Today, from a balcony in Beverly Hills, I perform some raps and songs I wrote in 2nd grade. And then I launch into the real meat of this episode. Siste Viator, a book of poems by Sarah Manguso was recommended to me by a well read listener, and I immediately fell in love with it. I'm positive you will as well. I also read you the Dave Eggers blurb from the back cover explaining why this is the perfect book of poems for those of us not so inclined to read poetry. I know that describes a few of you out there. I'm just sorry you have to hear me singing about my early-onset-jealously towards people with blue eyes first.

Please stay,
Robyn

You guys are the first people I spoke to today. Before even my beloved, Coffee.

This morning, I remind you that the Channing Tatum erotic poetry contest is going strong. Please email your stimulating entries to mereadingstuff@icloud.com. The poem today is a quick shot to the heart, and it contains the most powerful and immaculate ending. I know you're going to love it. This is Donald Hall's "Affirmation."

Stifling,
Robyn O'Neil

Hafez, Persian poet from the 14th century, will blow your mind & help you to find a new lover. No doubt about that. Enjoy this selection of poems about parties, God giving you a full wet kiss, and about quittin' ya day job.

In this episode, I tell you a story about an insane way I once quit a job of mine (in involves being a defiant barista & being killed off in a horror film.) I used to be a terrible liar.

Change rooms in your mind for a day,
Robyn

p.s. also mentioned: Eli Porter, Tenacious D, Bruce Hornsby and being nice.

This is what we do over here at ME READING STUFF occasionally. As the lights of the city dim, and the glorious people of the Land beg for provocation & sweet nothings, we turn that $50 mic on and we READ. We read about Channing Tatum learning about what incense is and living near a Whole Foods. We read about Channing Tatum understanding the difference between dead bird feathers and sex toys. And we also read a poem by the great Frank O'Hara. We do it all over here, and we do it for you.

Are you breathing? I am, but barely.

Sincerely,
Robyn

Well, well, look who's back? I'm finally reading a little Gertrude Stein for you. I may have chosen the cowardly route by picking pieces that aren't next-to-impossible to get one's tongue around, and for that I am sorry. If you'll stay tuned, I assure you I will soon attempt some of her more strenuous verse.

And someone asked me to explain my obsession with Kleenex, so I dig into that a bit.

Lastly, may we never forget, "romance is everything."

(as if one could),
Robyn

My friend, artist & musician, Anthony Record, recommended I read you some Theodore Roethke. How could I not? Roethke is one of the best. So is Anthony! And LOOK AT THAT TITLE. "Elegy for Jane (My Student, Thrown by a Horse)"...jesus. That's a title. This poem destroys me. Too bad I don't know how to pronounce Roethke's name. Sorry about that. While we're at it, sorry about a lot of things. I'm cloudy and consumed and not on my "A" game right now. Something about this morning also compelled me to share with you my favorite art & literature journal, Nat. Brut! Please go check their website out ASAP. You won't regret it.
Neither father nor lover,
Robyn

There's been a lot of poetry being flung around ME READING STUFF these days, so today I switch it up a bit. I read you a short story by Margaret Atwood that is as devastating as it is hilarious. It's an important one. It's from her 1983 book, "Murder in the Dark" & was published again in 1992 in "Good Bones." You should go buy one of those.
Here's to authentic endings,
Robyn
p.s. only 1 week left in the Channing Tatum erotic poetry contest!

In order to make sure everyone remembers they have to enter the contest by the end of the day, Monday, August 31st, I'm reading you one of my favorite entries so far! Anna Reynolds Wallis imagines Channing Tatum loving her for all she is: greasy bangs (I relate), dirty laundry, reading short stories, and driving her base model Kia. This poem made me laugh so hard! Thanks to Anna for sharing.
Don't forget guys, if you win, you get a drawing by yours truly AND a care package full of all sorts of fun stuff. So ENTER! It's FUN! And I love you.
Royalty free, hip hop, dark,
Robyn

I was full with medium-level energy as I recorded this on my balcony for you this morning. Here is just one of the fantastic lines you'll get to hear today if you listen to this episode: "I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only. I would like to be that unnoticed & that necessary." I decided to make this a Margaret Atwood week. Today is her poetry. Please enjoy. Please buy any of her many books. Wishing you all well today, as always. XO, Robyn

Today, I finally read the master Walt Whitman. I guess I didn't read him to you yet because it seemed so obvious? I decided to read part 1 & 2 of Song of Myself in case there are any newcomers to Whitman. This is a great place to start. We'll do some deep cuts at a later date. IMPORTANT! DEADLINE for the CHANNING TATUM erotic poetry contest is tonight, midnight Pacific Time. I'll announce the winner on Thursday!

With many thanks to all who entered, we have our winners! I wish I could have chosen all of you, but the contest winners are "Em" and "David Drury"! Congratulations to them both. I hope you enjoy my readings of these two magnificent entries. And while I did not do either of them justice, I had a goddamn BLAST with these pieces. Em's complex rendition of Donald Barthelme's "Concerning the Bodyguard" was truly mind-blowing. And David's tender understanding of Channing Tatum's inner difficulties was both touching and arousing. The words "chiseled confusion" sum it up nicely.

Em has nothing to plug because she remains a mystery. David can be found on twitter @DavDrury (highly recommend following him) & also at @jeffbreakfast. Also, listen to Tennis Pro! You won't regret it!

When one thinks of Las Vegas, one immediately thinks of Carson McCullers, am I right? Please enjoy a beautiful passage from The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, as recommended to me by the incomparable artist Jesse Wiedel. I love you guys. Truly, Robyn

The ending of this one unravels facets of sapiosexuality, something I'm both close to & agonized by. Please buy "Danger and Beauty", the book from which this sturdy poem came. Jessica Hagedorn, I love you. This poem throbs.

Back on the rough stuff (coffee), I come at you this morning burning. Anne Carson, one of the great loves of my life, is the reason I'm reading you Ingeborg Bachmann today. These three poems are vigorous and clear, and I hope their strength will stun/stir/stimulate you the way they do me.
I lose my screams, Robyn

The Greatest Speaking/Reading Voice in The World is that of Evan Dalton Smith. And today, I have the honor of reading you two of his poems. Evan's first book LOOKING FOR ANDY GRIFFITH will be out in 2016, and he can be found on twitter at @evandaltonsmith. "When I wake I fret, strut, destroy." With love, Robyn the Voyeur

First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for all the "ummmms" in recent episodes. I'm mortified by my horrendous speaking patterns these days. My dear friend (artist) Matthew Sontheimer sent me two really commanding poems via email today. That email & these poems fortified my insides. And I needed reinforcement. So how could I not share with you, my dear sweet friends? Warning though, I'm a little weird today. For that, and for many other things, I am sorry, Robyn

Memorial episode to Pulitzer Prize winning poet C.K. Williams.

"time, as do you, dismember me, render me, leave me slop in a pail"

This book is "a compendium of found poems pieced together form the post-game interviews of professional athletes." say writers Jeff Parker and Pasha Malla. This is a collection of truly remarkable, gorgeous, funny, bizarre & poignant poems by people like Ron Artest, Kevin Garnett, George Best and Tiger Woods. I can not recommend this book enough. It is phenomenal. Preorder it on featherproof.com for only $14.95.

Even though I wanted to read this poem to you, what I REALLY want is for you to go listen to Tracy Morgan read it on Def Poetry Jam. So do that! And have a wonderful day, week, year, life. Be kind to yourself. Drink lots of water. Eat an apple. Write letters. Do your thing.

I hadn't even stretched or breathed yet this morning when recording this one, so you get to hear me wake up. A dream come true, I'm sure. These are some poems that I had to cut out of previous podcasts due to time constraints. The C.K. Williams one rips me apart. If you've ever felt humiliated, it'll get to you for sure. I'm humiliated. Often. With love, yr girl Robby

Sex, Death, Balls, Melancholy, iTunes reviews, Denim, Poems, Blue Crayons, Dahlia, Confederate Money, Royalty Free Music Haters, Longshoremen & Lists. What more could one want? With affection, Robyn

p.s. please see my friend Iva Gueorguieva's stunning and thoughtful solo exhibition at ACME GALLERY. Details: www.acmelosangeles.com

A poem compiled from thousands of sentences said by the poet's son while he was 2 and 3, this is resonant. I also talk overheard conversations, Jayson Musson, natbrut.com , ekphrasis, found poetry & more. I never want to minus you, Robyn

Every day is a good day to read Rilke, especially when he reminds us to celebrate the burdens of life and love and all sorts of other shit. I also read Valéry Larbaud who seems totally cool with laying bare his soul for others to consume. Sound familiar? Take everything I am, Robyn
p.s. if you'd like to win a personal podcast by yours truly, please support my friends over at Free Beer Podcast. They'll be having a fundraiser in Austin on October 17th. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1700959660139337/

A man 900,000 years old, or is it 25? A worn-out love. A man staring directly at the sun. I read you two poems today even though my voice sounds like I own a wine bar. Enjoy it. xo, Robyn
p.s. special thanks to http://www.stephaniegoehring.com

"Why involve yourself? You'd be better to sit off to the side, on the sidewalk under the awning, hands over your mouth, your ears, your eyes...." - Margaret Atwood.

Waiting for the word, Robyn

Austin writer Stephanie Goehring allowed me to read from her in-progress manuscript "Who Took This Selfie?" and I couldn't be more grateful. You can find much more about Stephanie and link to the numerous places she's been published on her website http://www.stephaniegoehring.com
There's a lot of internet related sadness in this World, and Stephanie seems to be particularly in tune with the subject. Also on today's podcast, I talk about bananas and assholes. Not the anatomical ones, I like to save that for face-to-face conversations. Until then, Robyn

p.s if you're in the Austin area, you can go hear Stephanie Goehring read at Malvern Books this Friday, October 23rd at 7pm! More info here: http://malvernbooks.com

These two poets sat in a classroom together and wrote under the prompt: DEATH! Here is what happened. A man doesn't have time, Robyn

Tonight, I sit on my drum throne appreciating DVD players. I pretend to bring you tea and cookies. And then I read to you both William Stafford's "A Ritual to Read to Each Other" & William Meredith's "Poem About Morning."

It was a simple Saturday night, and we both enjoyed it. xo, Robyn

“When you’re in the studio painting, there are a lot of people in there with you - your teachers, friends, painters from history, critics…and one by one if you’re really painting, they walk out. And if you’re really painting YOU walk out.”
Philip Guston

Other topics: anger, Toyota Tacomas, apes, coffee, water, John Goodman. And of course, the wonderfully complex Russell Edson.

Thanks to artist & ME READING STUFF listener, Marcy Thomas, I'm doing the unthinkable. I'm reading Sylvia Plath's "Daddy." I've always really disliked Plath, and I loathe The Bell Jar. Furthermore, I've never said the words "daddy" & "jew" so often in my entire 38 years of existing. Also mentioned: my brain thinks it bought a donkey figurine in China, but I haven't even been to China. I have however been to East Texas.

LINKS:
http://marcyjthomas.weebly.com
https://jasonpreu.wordpress.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/opinion/oliver-sacks-on-learning-he-has-terminal-cancer.html?_r=0

As a special Halloween Bonus, I read you guys the first poem I ever memorized. I was a 7th grade goth cheerleader. Forever in black, Robyn

I saw three women do something bold and pretty distasteful already this morning. Listen to hear what they did. And then I came home to read you H.D.'s The Wind Sleepers.

To Rocky Top, Robyn

I have never felt so desperate to share a book with you all. Anne Boyer's "Garments Against Women" is necessary. There's nothing like it. And if the world were right, those 800,000 people at that Kansas City Royals Parade the other day would have been there to celebrate Anne Boyer. That many people should be falling all over themselves & each other in order to honor their love of her books. That's the world I want to live in.

http://www.anneboyer.com
Buy Garments Against Women here: https://ahsahtapress.org/product/boyer-garments/

If you feel like a Monday is best handled underwater, this is the Monday podcast for you. Bigots Not Invited!

Today I read from the phenomenal book INTERFERON PSALMS by Luke Davies. A friend and someone I aspire to be more like every damn day, this book will tear your heart into pieces and leave you begging for more.

We lift up our hearts, Robyn

LINKS:
http://www.lukedavies.blogspot.com
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13120632-interferon-psalms
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/243066
http://greatconcavity.podbean.com

There are clouds overhead, there are people whose fathers are dead, there are crime novelists writing poetry and those people sometimes die of cancer. There is this. And there is that. And there is you and there is me.

Restless desires & unnerving fears,
Robyn

LINKS

Kenneth Fearing, selected poems: http://www.loa.org/volume.jsp?RequestID=210

Matthew Sontheimer's show: http://www.lacitycollege.edu/academic/departments/art/gallery.html

Julie Weitz: http://www.julieweitz.com/touchmuseum/

"The world poured back and forth between their eyes once or twice." Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson is in my list of the Top 5 Books I'd Recommend to Absolutely Anyone. It's tragic, obsessive love. It's cruelty and confusion. It's brave and brilliant. And dear Geryon is the most lovable main character I've ever read. And the structure of this book - A NOVEL IN VERSE - perfection.

GOD LOVES LOLA,
Robyn

p.s. so sorry for the horrible German pronunciations!

What did you last ask in a graveyard? What is the perfume you love? Have you, a poor man, entered a woman of means? And do we all agree that good things are most likely NOT on their way?

How much toilet paper do you keep in the house? Do you use HP60 ink cartridges? Is it ok that this is all about me? Did I warm your heart in San Antonio?

With love, Robyn and Mark

LINKS:

Strand on Bookworm: http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/bookworm/mark-strand-a-blizzard-of-one

But the book: http://knopfdoubleday.com/author/30082/mark-strand/

Don't be a clown. Or do. It's all about the depending.

Listen as Leonard Cohen tells us what is embarrassing and not-right about those who read to us. Let me not fail him.

I look good when I'm tired (he said so),
Robyn

Before I started dicing a bunch of Thanksgiving vegetables, I took my laptop outside to talk to you. But I'm naturally very loud and it's early, so I'm more like whispering to you. I sound pretty creepy. Sorry about that.

And less than a week ago, I stated clearly I would never have a guest on this podcast. Today, I broke that rule with a surprise guest. Listen to hear who I let in!

With love, Robyn

Today, while I watch a man in a Members Only jacket urinate on the wall behind my home, I read you a poem about how the wondrous clashing of emotion and time are exactly what make up a life. This isn't bad, this isn't good, it just is. And I guess in its is-ness, it's actually pretty damn splendid.

I also talk to you about an experience I had with two bodybuilding brothers while living in Chicago. Now that one is sad. Unequivocally.

We will go through endless streets,
Robyn

Can you head out into the world without issue? Can you think about your past and be all "ehhh, it was ok, no big deal." Can you attend a party and enjoy it? Can you just eat regular, healthy meals & head to the gym after work and not overthink the whole thing? Well good for you!

Please listen to another reading of Anne Boyer from her astounding book "Garments Against Women" which can be purchased through the link below. I can not explain how much I revere this book. If I could give it every single award there is, I would do exactly that.

I love you guys,
Robyn

Buy the book here: https://ahsahtapress.org/product/boyer-garments/

Learn more about Anne Boyer here: http://www.anneboyer.com

I managed to tear down an old folder off my bookshelf to see what would fall out. An old printout of this Ted Kooser poem was the 1st thing I found. So I read it to you, wished you well, and went about my business.

Also, no matter what:
“Considering the ways in which so many of us waste our time, what would be wrong with a world in which everybody were writing poems?" -Ted Kooser

Affirmation by Power of Thought

I think my life to flow,
I know my life to flow,
From brain to all my body to flow.
Streaks of light do shoot
Through my tissue root.
The flood of life in vertebrae
Doth rush through spine in froth and spray;
The little cells all are drinking;
Their tiny mouths all are shining;
The little cells all are drinking;
Their tiny mouths all are shining.

Thanks to Steve from the tunnel by the library.

From my sickbed comes a crucial PSA about the risks of being naked while receiving a FaceTime invite from your brother and his 4-year old son. Please enjoy. And do not visualize anything I say. Ever.

Just straight up bragging about having perfect attendance from Kindergarten-12th grade in this episode. I'm doing my best over here, you guys. I'm so sorry the past 2 weeks have been downright unimaginative. I hope with all hope I can deliver something more entertaining to you soon.

And to the executives at Kleenex, I'm ready for a meeting whenever you are. Call me!

Not a rule breaker,
Robyn

Buy the Stafford book here: http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-way-it-is_william-edgar-stafford/487951/?gclid=CIzS4_TD5MkCFUOVfgod7fYKxw#isbn=1555972845&pcrid=70112866032&pkw=&pmt=&plc=

Learn more about my favorite company Kleenex here: https://www.kleenex.com

Garth Brooks thanked God for Unanswered Prayers, and today I salute, with heavy heart, Unanswered Letters. And dusk. And tater tots. And you.

From the 5th window,
Robyn

Buy Tranströmer's The Great Enigma here: http://www.lybrary.com/the-great-enigma-new-collected-poems-p-212123.html?gclid=CPbz79P67ckCFViTfgodDNAP2Q

Here's to kicking pedophiles and/or bigots out of your house this Christmas.

And here's to storms,
Robyn

p.s. Buy the Goldbarth book The Kitchen Sink here: https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/kitchen-sink-0

Greetings from a rare Saturday night in the shittiest part of Beverly Hills. Today my athletic neighbor caught two people having sex behind my car in our parking garage and got really concerned about it. Then I made really disgusting orange chicken for dinner. And later my cat threw up. And my feet are abnormally cold. Anyway, something about this combo of events made me realize tonight was as good as any for a ME READING STUFF check-in. So here I am, reading to you about the end of the world as envisioned by Czeslaw Milosz.

Maybe a bee was circling those two people behind my car? One never knows, Robyn

An update from the garage. My apologies for the sibling/marriage joke. I would have edited it out, but I just didn't feel like editing it out. There's lunch to eat over here, and these drawings aren't gonna make themselves.

I wish I could see these geese Mary Oliver is talking about, but they're not flying around my apartment.

You do not have to be good,
Robyn

Listen to Mary Oliver read "Wild Geese" from her living room in Florida here: http://www.onbeing.org/blog/mary-oliver-reads-wild-geese/5966

Check out Electric Works here: https://www.sfelectricworks.com

Buy Dream Work by Mary Oliver here: http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/dream-work_mary-oliver/265887/?gclid=CjwKEAiA2IO0BRDXmLndksSB0WgSJADNKqqoc6AawXlIeZAYC9v8wO8UGMv1DH8XlXgHZT5zJ2Q2bBoCXTLw_wcB#isbn=0871130696&pcrid=70112866032&pkw=&pmt=&plc=

"My New Year’s Eve Toast: to all the devils, lusts, passions, greeds, envies, loves, hates, strange desires, enemies ghostly and real, the army of memories, with which I do battle - may they never give me peace." -Patricia Highsmith, age 26, at 2:30am New Year’s Eve 1947 in her journal.

Buy the Jean Valentine book, "Door in the Mountain..." here: http://www.upne.com/0819567124.html

The Patricia Highsmith I recommend the most is here: http://books.wwnorton.com/books/The-Animal-Lovers-Book-of-Beastly-Murder/

I'm PISSED today. At Kleenex. It's over between us. I've moved on to Puffs already, but it was a dramatic & painful break-up. So, be patient with my fury in the first few minutes of today's episode.

And then, most importantly, listen to Robert Hass fly.

"And the days churned by,
navigable sorrow."

With love,
Robyn

Buy Sun Under Wood here: http://www.bestdealbuys.us/p/Sun-Under-Wood-51687968.html

And look at the amazing work of Matthew Sontheimer here: http://www.talleydunn.com/artist/view/matthew_sontheimer/21

And check out my twitter feed to see the hostility between Kleenex and yours truly: https://twitter.com/Robyn_ONeil

For $75 a month, I rented a house that didn't laugh at me. And I'll be happy to make your decisions for you. Also, we ate so much spaghetti back then. I taught Trent what a colander was, and he showed me Hieronymus Bosch.

I'm exhausted, Robyn

This poem can be found in this anthology: http://www.amazon.com/Solitude-Poems-Everymans-Library-Pocket/dp/1400044235

And here's my friend Trent: http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/trenton-doyle-hancock/

And meanwhile, you, in the wind.

xo, Robyn

DEFINITELY buy this book. But I couldn't find it anywhere but Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Poetry-Drummond-Andrade-Alberti/dp/0375709886

My hero: http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-be95/k2-_1359e45c-57a8-4d19-9743-1c16b358cc8a.v1.jpg

The title of this podcast is, "RESPECT THIS HUSTLE"

This is not an angry podcast. But it almost was! Isn't life fun? No? Yeah, I know. But...

"perhaps the same bird echoed through both of us yesterday"

Your friend in all kinds of matters,
Robyn

The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke: http://knopfdoubleday.com/book/154369/the-selected-poetry-of-rainer-maria-rilke/

Cool photo of me taken Sunday night: https://shogofawafa.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/francisco_de_goya_saturno_devorando_a_su_hijo_1819-1823.jpg

Today:

Low energy.
Canadian praise.
Heavy air of grief.
Tenderness and sparks and homeless and arguments and it's all ok.

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org

Tyler Bright Hilton: http://www.tylerbrighthilton.com

Jay Dart: http://www.thedart.ca

You know the old proverb, "If you follow bikini models on instagram, your eyes and brain will dull into nothingness." Well, let's keep in mind the other one, "If you follow smart, interesting & talented people on instagram, your insides will glow & you'll become more intelligent with every scroll downward." I follow Water Liars on instagram, so my insides get to glow a lot.

And thanks for all the positive reviews and feedback on iTunes! Keep 'em coming, friends.

Reaching infinity,
Robyn

LINKS!

Me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robyn_oneil/

Water Liars: http://www.waterliarsmusic.com

Water Liars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterliars/

Buy "Astonishments" here: http://www.paracletepress.com/astonishments-selected-poems-of-anna-kamienska.html

Do you love me? Does your neck smell like a campfire? Are you going to be obsessed with this Mark Strand short story? YES YES AND YES.

"A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves." - Marcel Proust

From my shade of blue to yours,
Robyn

BUY THIS BOOK HERE: http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062424891/mr-and-mrs-baby-deluxe-edition

Aggressive sculptures are built, I rant, I want a piano, I love Bruce Hornsby, I even had long fingers, I freaked out, I love the sound of a summer storm, I can't change my mind, what do those breadcrumbs see?, listen to the tears roll, watch her hug her dress tighter and tighter, listen to the banjo wind, come f*ck with me, I laughed and she'd smile, listen to the music on the lake.

Sad song drifting low,
Robyn

LINKS! Important ones.

But the book this Charles Simic piece came from here: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Great-American-Prose-Poems/David-Lehman/9780743243506

Learn more about Andrew James Weatherhead here: http://www.andrewweatherhead.org

Learn more about The Great Concavity, a podcast about David Foster Wallace & much more here: http://greatconcavity.podbean.com/category/art/

Listen to the Mandolin Rain here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDgOwX72fLI

Human Beings.
That's it.

LINKS:

Catullus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catullus

Anna Akhmatova: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/anna-akhmatova

The book I read from today: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poems-of-anna-andreevna-akhmatova-anna-akhmatova/1122976878?ean=9780393300147&pcta=n&st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Core+Shopping+Textbooks_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP17&k_clickid=3x17

Joe Brainard: http://www.joebrainard.org/BIO_MAIN.htm
(he's hot)

Question of the Day Podast w/ James Altucher & Stephen J. Dubner: http://www.earwolf.com/show/question-of-the-day/

The thing is, everybody loves tortillas.

Don't drown,
Robyn

LINKS:

Today's poem was found here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poem/181724

LISTEN TO BOOKWORM! Here's the John Wieners episode I mentioned today. You will love it. Trust: http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/bookworm/supplication-selected-poems-of-john-wieners

Buy Supplication here: http://www.wavepoetry.com/products/supplication

"Nervousness is cranking up, vibrating, all the time."

Sad and tender,
Robyn

LINKS:

More on Chögyam Trungpa here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chögyam_Trungpa

Buy the book here: http://www.shambhala.com/shambhala-4911.html

Meditate in LA here: http://la.shambhala.org

Take care, you who wish
to deal with names
for love. Behind their sweetness
and wrath, nothing endures.
Nothing but wounds and kisses.

Though love appears far off,
you will move into its depth.

LINKS:

World Poetry Book (highly recommended): http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203921.World_Poetry

Women's Spiritual Poetry (by SHAMBHALA hello!): http://www.shambhala.com/the-shambhala-anthology-of-women-s-spiritual-poetry.html

All Things Elliott Malkin: http://dziga.com

Jon Love & his amazing work: http://jonlovesart.com

Am I forgetting something?

Dear friends,

I set up my $40 mic next to an old cold cup of coffee. Not OLD old, just mildly old. I probably last took a sip out of it around 1pm. It is now 10:24pm. This is night in the shittiest part of Beverly Hills. Billy made me spaghetti and salad tonight. Billy is already asleep. I will now do other things with the evening.

I'm not happy with this After Dark for whatever reason. But I am deeply happy some of you care to hear this stuff. Thank you for that.

I do wish you all understanding.

With love,
Robyn

p.s. Thank you Mark.

LINKS:

World Poetry: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203921.World_Poetry

The World Doesn't End by Charles Simic: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/The-World-Doesnt-End/9780547546889?atrkid=V3ADW6700B927_17288355412_pla-97894452652__70201759372_g_c_pla__1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiA3Ou1BRDso5XyhduuwFASJABP3PEDmlA9QYn5YCiDKEpY7q_ZMBOLf57QF_G4V1eHSSSRKBoCyuPw_wcB

My website: http://robynoneil.com

I just basically said the word "incredible" over and over for 10 minutes. And I cried. Twice.

ENJOY!

LINKS:

Preorder Derrick Austin's "Trouble the Water" for a mere $16!!!!!! here: https://www.boaeditions.org/collections/poetry/products/trouble-the-water

Derrick's website: http://themadscene.tumblr.com

Derrick's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParadiseLAust

The Frick: http://www.frick.org

Say no to sandpaper; say yes to locating your spouse's Foreman Grill.

Riding, riding,
Robyn

LINKS:

Mark Halliday's "Selfwolf": http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo3624976.html

Matthew Sontheimer: http://www.talleydunn.com/artist/view/matthew_sontheimer/21

Harvester Arts: http://www.harvesterarts.com

George Foreman Grill: http://www.georgeforemancooking.com

I'm in Wichita. See the connection there?

I guess I'm traveling around the Midwest recording myself too. This is the same Midwest that once surrounded my elementary school body as it traveled to Pizza Hut in my mom's van once a month so I could BOOK IT! Which is why I became such an obsessive reader, and ultimately why I do this podcast!

This one is for you, Bud Gates.

LINKS:

About the 50th anniversary of Wichita Vortex Sutra: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article60959522.html

Buy Planet News: http://www.spdbooks.org/Producte/0872860205/planet-news-19611967.aspx

Harvester's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/harvesterartswichita/?fref=ts

Is there anybody up in here who ain't on birth control?

LINKS

What it's like to be in the studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtfK-aCn3Q

This is not the exact book I read from, but this will get you through the week: http://knopfdoubleday.com/book/156629/the-collected-poems-of-theodore-roethke/

More on vasectomies: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/vasectomy

tired
adjective
1 you're just tired from traveling: exhausted, worn out, weary, fatigued, dog-tired, dead beat, bone-tired, ready to drop, drained, zonked, wasted, enervated, jaded; informal done in, bushed, whipped, bagged, knocked out, wiped out, pooped, tuckered out. ANTONYMS energetic, wide awake, fresh.

LINKS:

More info on Sohrab Sepehri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sohrab_Sepehri

Harvester Arts: https://www.facebook.com/harvesterartswichita/?fref=ts

Me on the phone. I don't like it.
Me with blankets. I like it.
You being nice. I like it.
You with happiness. I like it.

LINKS:

World Poetry book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203921.World_Poetry

Werewolf at Charlie James Gallery: http://www.cjamesgallery.com/show-detail/werewolf

Nick Brown's work: http://nickbrownart.net

"All night your empty shoes
screamed alongside your bed."

Tonight, I almost went to bed, but didn't.

With love,
Robyn

LINKS:

Buy the book "The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai" here: http://www.lybrary.com/the-selected-poetry-of-yehuda-amichai-p-255360.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiA3t-2BRCKivi-suDY24gBEiQAX1wiXMgkqHpoXkSWgK98NSBQET2tyAmqzDjQwcL_b1RSSPEaAvqc8P8HAQ

Energy levels are low; passion levels are high. I made sure no one listening was a racist, bigot, or a sexist. They are not welcome here. And did an iTunes reviewer call me a bad name? Listen to find out more!

I love you guys,
Robyn

LINKS:

Purchase "Good Poems", Selected and Introduced by Garrison Keillor here: http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/good-poems/253821/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA3t-2BRCKivi-suDY24gBEiQAX1wiXOmA2ieTgRYeANl-DtKvdZYlEAtJv2KclX6bGC5_XrQaArX88P8HAQ#isbn=0142003441&pcrid=70112866032&pkw=&pmt=&plc=

1. Calm down
2. Be nicer to myself
3. Shut up
4. Breathe like Julie

So much love, Robyn

LINKS!:

Wislawa Szymborska:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisława_Szymborska#cite_note-reuters_death-3

Buy Szymborska's "Here": http://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/Here/9780547504643?atrkid=V3ADW6700B927_17288355412_pla-97894453372__70201759372_g_c_pla__1o1&gclid=Cj0KEQiA6vS2BRDH8dq06YDHz_IBEiQAzNdBmes2GxHQjBnylgx-z_NoDgdCaCwJZio2nwCMqLzC0OoaAm8C8P8HAQ

D.W. Burnam:

https://twitter.com/dvvburnam

http://landramp.bandcamp.com

Stay strong everybody.

LINKS:

Buy James Galvin's book "As Is" here: https://www.coppercanyonpress.org/pages/browse/book.asp?bg={33AECE7B-9CB3-4F49-9DAA-F88430441392}

Check out more from Stephanie Goehring right here: http://www.stephaniegoehring.com

and here: https://twitter.com/eselgoehring

and here! https://www.instagram.com/eselgoehring/

Wallace Stevens's The Man on the Dump: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172209

William Blake's The Ancient of Days: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ancient_of_Days

Some definitions for today:

Hikes: Seems like you're going' up hills a lot and you're in dirt.

Walking: strolling down the street in your city, havin' a good time.

LINKS:

The Interview: http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4569/the-art-of-fiction-no-29-katherine-anne-porter

Buy the Book: http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/writers-at-work-the-paris-review-interviews-2nd-series/1657204/?gclid=CjwKEAiA04S3BRCYteOr6b-roSUSJABE1-6BMSQHetg94mg3_tva_gjS6p8r0uMpbjhTD-UvvdZj1xoCtQPw_wcB#isbn=0140045414&pcrid=70112865192&pkw=&pmt=&plc=

My instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robyn_oneil/

My twitter: https://twitter.com/Robyn_ONeil

Reading from misdirected texts, this is no time for minimalism. I take you to Wolf Town & The Town of Uneven Love (But All Love is Uneven) (Remember, Carson McCullers already told us about that.) This is definitely the first time I've mentioned porcupines twice in one episode. I doubt that will ever happen again.

LINKS:

Buy Anne Carson's "Plainwater": http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/24646/plainwater-by-anne-carson/9781101911273/

More on Anne Carson:
http://www.ndbooks.com/author/anne-carson/

All about Jon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_DeRosa &
http://jonderosa.com/#blog-section &
https://twitter.com/Aarktica

Karolina Waclawiak: http://www.karolinawaclawiak.com

Live from a little girl's bedroom in Chicago:
Doesn't like to travel. Likes being with friends. Doesn't like some memories. Likes others.

LINKS:

Gwendolyn Brooks "Selected Poems": http://www.amazon.com/Selected-Poems-Gwendolyn-Brooks/dp/0060882964

More on Brooks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwendolyn_Brooks

E. Tyler Lindvall:
http://etylerlindvall.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/chopstarnation
http://www.believermag.com/issues/200402/?read=tool_invacare_folding_shower_chair

My show in Chicago: http://www.westernexhibitions.com/current/2016/2a_Oneil/index.html

I drank his cinnamon tea. I was kidnapped in Dublin by a taxi driver and forced to drink ginger ale. These are the stories.

But we shall find peace.

With love, Robyn


LINKS:

More on Kathryn Maris: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/kathryn-maris

Maris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathrynmaris?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Buy Kathryn Maris's "God Loves You" here: https://wordery.com/god-loves-you-kathryn-maris-9781781720356?currency=USD&gtrck=MjhWbmZ1QlAyYVpxakpjS1pHWXgrL3Y5ZUdMSVZ3ZWdhQVR0ZFU2RElOMU4ydXVwYkhadUtFRGtHTHhZUmJlNUFqaGFleFAwRHBFVVlycVZ5UTlzU0E9PQ&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt763BRDZx_Xg3-Pv2cABEiQAoDfeGAiJPk9Fbpike2SDt_rGUdo0tAywFWgQYFyT8FurK1IaAgK28P8HAQ

WE, THE MASSES trailer: https://vimeo.com/26486761

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org

People make eggs. They swim. They drive. They suffer. They write. They draw. They compose. They admire sunsets. They clean themselves. They clean children. They love you. They resent. They love again.

LINKS:

More on Mason Currey: http://masoncurrey.com

Buy the book here: http://knopfdoubleday.com/book/198763/daily-rituals/

Check out my friend Anne Regan's work here: http://www.annejregan.com

My dream car: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NChlFsqFjh4/UVxNFHiG3MI/AAAAAAAEM00/5q-L3J0dcU8UTFxSJUuL0BxVVtN794o0QCHM/s1600/2001_2004_tacoma_xtracab_004.jpg

I recorded this one in a cold garage in an unnamed location. The garage is large. It has two children in it. It it not my garage, but it does contain my old coffee table. I'm going to miss this coffee table, but it's too big for my apartment. I like living in very small places. I always have; I always will. My grandparents' apartment was so small. One of the children just rang a bell.

LINKS

Charles Simic: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/charles-simic

Buy “The World Doesn’t End”: http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook/the-world-doesn-t-end/charles-simic/9780156983501?gclid=CjwKEAjwrOO3BRCX55-L9_WojHoSJAAPxcSP9XxkzilICcttAZ_PbumhU38AibWPJOC3_Wg76f_F_BoCNJvw_wcB

AWP: https://www.awpwriter.org

CAMP REAL PANTS: http://camp.realpants.com

Dark F*cking Wizard: http://darkfuckingwizard.com

The New School’s LIT magazine: http://www.litmagazine.org

Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robyn_ONeil

I had cause to throw my book today, so we know this is a good one. The baboon in me did it. And now the eagle in me is taking me away.

I love you, Robyn

LINKS:

Buy Carl Sandburg's "The Complete Poems": http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-complete-poems-of-carl-sandburg-carl-sandburg/1111826976#productInfoTabs

Matthew Sontheimer's beautiful work: http://www.talleydunn.com/artist/view/matthew_sontheimer/21

An unplanned thematic event on ME READING STUFF: poems about grass and about how things just go on and on and on. And it's ok.

LINKS:

Buy the Holub book "Poems Before & After" here: http://bloodaxebooks.com/ecs/product/poems-before-after-848

Buy Sandburg's "The Complete Poems" here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-complete-poems-of-carl-sandburg-carl-sandburg/1111826976/2672386761103?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP2988&k_clickid=3x2988

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robyn_ONeil

And on Instagram, where I will no longer post 4 photos in one day: https://www.instagram.com/robyn_oneil/

I too am sick of being a man. I was always sick of being a woman. But I stroll along with my eyes and my ears, my rage and my hands. My hands, Sub-Zero since you asked.

LINKS:

About Pablo Neruda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda

Buy The Essential Neruda: http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Neruda-Selected-Bilingual-English/dp/0872864286/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434802711&sr=1-1&keywords=pablo+neruda&linkCode=sl1&tag=hellopoetry-20&linkId=23XWE25LTKJLG2DN

You bark.
I watch Poison Ivy.
I gotta do my taxes.
I'd love Tom Skerritt's phone number though.
That'd cheer me up.

LINKS:

Buy Vasko Popa's Complete Poems from Anvil Press here: http://www.anvilpresspoetry.com/pages/store/products/ec_view.asp?PID=281

More on Skit-Skat Skerritt here: http://www.adultswim.com/videos/tim-and-eric-awesome-show-great-job/a-tom-skerritt-jingle/