Fall 2008 Museletter

Winter 2008

Home

Poet pages

Museletter

Events

Conferences

Calendar

Publications

Links

Markets

Contests

Laureate

About Us

Suggestions

Join

Next

Printable .pdf of current issue

Museletter Archives

President's Message
      I have no literary allusions to share this month. No commentary about what it means to be a poet. Currently, I’m reading Of Human Bondage because my oldest daughter happened to mention that she is, and the novel was already on my PDA in ebook form, so this seemed a chance to share a reading experience with her. But at chapter 30, it’s still too early to have formed any opinions of the novel’s purpose, let alone its success, let alone what it might mean for us as writers.
      So let me just cover a couple of items of business, offer a few thank-yous, and get off the stage.
      First, congratulations and thank-yous are in order for Jan Chronister, Michael Kriesel, and everyone else involved in putting on the Fall 2008 conference. Attendance was somewhat over 80, I believe; the Roll Call poems were exceptionally enjoyable; and the Saturday presenters were inspiring. The food was good, too. I say this often, but it’s absolutely true: If you’ve never been to a WFOP conference, you’re missing a real treat.
      Next, let me thank Susan Kileen and Judy Kolosso for their many years of service managing the Literary Fund and conducting the Muse and Triad contests. After the 2009 Muse contest, they will be stepping down from those positions. The next time you see either of them, be sure to offer your gratitude for all the work they’ve put into these contests.
      Happily, at the conference, other WFOP members stepped forward to volunteer for the positions. Thank you to Brenda Hansen and Jane Osypowski for taking over the Muse contest, and to Alice D’Alessio and Jackie Langetieg for taking the Triad contest. We do still need someone to head the Literary Fund, however, so if you’re interested, please contact me.
      Also, a thanks goes to Janet Leahy and Carolyn Vargo for taking on the vacant East Regional VP position. I am sure they will do wonderful things for that region.
      All those thank-yous remind me, oddly enough, that November is a month of thanksgiving. It is also the month in which the submission period for the 2010 calendar opens, so start submitting! Check wfop.org/calguide.html for guidelines.

Sincerely,
Les

Next deadline: February 6, 2009
Send Museletter contributions to the Editor:
Christine Falk
9556 Upper 205th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044
(952) 985-5375

thefalks@frontiernet.net

SEND US YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS if you haven't already, so we can update the WFoP database. Your address will only be used for communication among members.

Museletter Delivery Options
     To read and download the Museletter from our website, request e-mail notice, with a link to the Museletter web page. By choosing this option, members will be removed from the bulk-mail list and will not receive a hard copy of the Museletter except the one they download and print themselves. This will provide the fastest delivery, at a significant savings to the Fellowship.
     Members may also opt to receive the Museletter by first-class mail rather than bulk mail. There is no charge to members, but this will increase mailing costs to the Fellowship.
     Notify the Museletter editor if you wish to exercise one of these new options. The "default" delivery method will be bulk mail.

Membership List Available
Fellowship members are entitled to receive a list of members at a cost of $2.00 to cover postage. Please send cash or check payable to Chris Falk. Receiving the list via e-mail is free. E-mailed lists will be sent as a .pdf which requires Adobe Reader, available as a free download from www.adobe.com. In order to receive the list, members must now sign the agreement and submit it with each request (copy and paste to e-mail it).

Welcome
to the following new members who have joined since the last Museletter issue.

John Campbell	Brookfield
Mandi Isaacson	Oshkosh
Erik Richardson	Milwaukee
Michael Jay Varga	Milwaukee

New member inquiries should be directed to Peter Piaskoski,the credentials chair. Join us!

Make Sure Your E-mail Address is Up-to-Date
In recent years, e-mail communications have increased within the WFOP membership. The list of e-mail addresses is kept in the main membership database. On occasion, announcements are e-mailed to the entire membership. Each time this happens, some e-mails get bounced back to the sender. The main reason this occurs is that the database manager has not been notified that an e-mail address has changed. If you have not received e-mails from the WFOP in recent months, most likely we do not have your most recent address. If you change your e-mail address, please contact Chris Falk at thefalks@frontiernet.net and let her know of the change so it can be corrected in the membership database. This will ensure that you receive all electronic correspondences.

Remember:
If you move or change your e-mail address, please notify the Museletter editor. Bulk mail is not forwarded, so you will not receive your Museletters. E-mail is the only way members are notified of Museletter deadlines.

Governor Doyle Appoints Marilyn Taylor as Poet Laureate
Governor Jim Doyle announced the appointment of Marilyn Taylor as the Poet Laureate of Wisconsin. The new Poet Laureate will succeed Denise Sweet. Taylor is required to choose and lead one large-scale project that contributes to the growth of Wisconsin poetry. She must also plan and attend at least four statewide literary events each year and perform in at least four government, state and civil events as requested by the Governor's office, school systems and literary organizations. Taylor will begin her two-year term immediately.
Marilyn Taylor received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and both a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She has written six books (one forthcoming), and been published in eight anthologies and countless journals of poetry. Ms. Taylor is the recipient of several distinguished poetry prizes. She has worked at UW—Milwaukee as an associate lecturer and adjunct professor and served as the Poet Laureate of the City of Milwaukee from 2004 to 2005. She spends much of her time coaching, teaching, leading workshops and judging poetry throughout Wisconsin. Taylor intends to use her position as the State Poet Laureate to bring poetry to new audiences around the state and showcase the outstanding work that is being created here.

What's Happening in Your Region?
Central-Fox Valley Region

Bill Gillard, Central-Fox Valley Regional VP
1478 Midway Road
Menasha, WI 54952-1224
bill.gillard@uwc.edu

Jean Biegun, Two Rivers, had poems in the recent issues of Fox Cry Review and Mobius, The Poetry Magazine. Jean also was the “Poetry Night” featured reader at the Neville Museum in August. Her regular gig is writing nature poems for The Dunesletter quarterly of Woodland Dunes Nature Center.
Kathryn Gahl of Two Rivers, a writer and registered nurse, has two pieces appearing in A Call to Nursing, a humanities textbook published in spring ’09 (Kaplan Publishing). Included will be Gahl’s poem, “The Reason Nurses Write Mostly Poetry” and her essay, “Chest Clippers.”

East Region

Janet Leahy, East Regional Co-VP
13480 W. Fountain Drive
New Berlin, WI 53151-3968
leahyja@earthlink.net

Carolyn Vargo, East Regional Co-VP
6147 West Stack Circle
Milwaukee, WI 53219-3054
vargocj@execpc.com

      Thomas J. Erickson received an honorable mention in the 2008 Ann Stafford Poetry Prize contest sponsored annually by the University of Southern California’s Southern California Review for his poem, “The Lawyer Who Died in the Courthouse Bathroom.”
      Charles P. Ries won first place and the Jade Ring in the Humorous Poem Category, and third place in the Adult Short Story Category of the 2008 Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Association Jade Ring Contest. His poetry reviews have or will appear in: League of Laboring Poets, Istanbul Review, Gloom Cupboard, ESC!, Chiron Review, Small Press Review, Poesia, Word Riot, Cynic Review, Creativity Connection, Free Verse, and Presa. His poetry has appeared or been accepted for publication in: Arbor Vitae. His short story “The River” has been accepted for publication in Cyclamens and Swords.
      Sr. Irene Zimmerman’s poem “Finding Mary” appeared in Spiritual Book News, published by Ave Maria Press. Three of her poems were accepted for publication in St. Anthony Messenger.
      Barbara Bache-Wiig hosted a poetry reading to raise money for The Waukesha Women’s Center on October 4, 2008 which took place during “Jeri Phillips’ Walk for Family Peace.” The day was crisp and sunny, and the walkers/runners pushed off at 9 a.m. The poets and their audience were inside in the Huelsman Board Room of The Women’s Center. Charles Ries was the facilitator, and what a great job he did—light,serious and warm, all with his rich voice and bright smile. Poets who participated with Barbara were: Charles Ries, Barbara Bache-Wiig, Janet Leahy, Liz Rhodebeck, and Anjie Greene-Martin. The poets each had a chance to read twice.
      Anjie Greene-Martin received an HM in October in the WFOP Triad Contest in the Poet’s Choice category.
      Mary Jo Balistreri gave a talk and read poems from her book Joy in the Morning at Ten Chimneys in Genesee Depot on November 12th.

Mid-Central Region

Joan Johannes, Mid-Central Regional VP
800 Ver Bunker Avenue
Port Edwards, WI 54469
joanjeff@wctc.net

       Michael Kriesel’s poem “Sailor On A Greyhound” was one of 12 finalists in the Robert Frost Foundation’s 2008 competition. His poems “Drowning On The Moon” and “Black Dice” both received honorable mentions in the 2008 WFOP Triad contest. He has a new chapbook out in November called Moths Mail The House; 20 poems in the Threesome form he devised a few years ago.
       Cathy Conger’s Christmas poem, “God With Us”, has been accepted by Madison Magazine for their December issue.
       Barbara Cranford conducted a poetry workshop in Hancock in October. She served as a judge for a recent Free Verse contest. Her poetry appeared in the Animal Anthology section of Free Verse.
       Jeffrey Johannes, Joan Wiese Johannes, and Michael Kriesel received recognition in the WFOP Triad Contest. Michael Kriesel was also recognized in the Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet Contest.
       Cathy Conger, Jeffrey Johannes, Joan Wiese Johannes, Michael Kriesel, and Jim Pollock were contest winners in Free Verse #97/98. Barbara Cranford, Michael Kriesel, and Jim Pollock had poems in Free Verse #97/ 98.
       Poets from the Mid-Central Region in the 2009 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar are: Linda Aschbrenner, Barb Cranford, Bruce Dethlefsen, Lincoln Hartford, Joan Wiese Johannes, Jeffrey Johannes, Lucy Rose Johns, Jim Pollock, and Beverly Scott.
       Bruce Dethlefsen gave a poetry reading on November 18th at Conkey’s Bookstore in Appleton in November. Bruce and his band, annaRANaway, performed at the WFOP Fall Conference in Marshfield.
       Linda Aschbrenner won second place in the 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition mainstream/literary short story contest. Linda presented three poetry workshops and three poetry readings at the Great Lakes Writers Festival in November. Linda Aschbrenner/Marsh River Editions published the chapbook Zebra by Nadine S. St. Louis in October.
       Janet Leahy (East Region) and Lincoln Hartford (Mid-Central Region) offered a joint poetry reading at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo on Friday, November 14th. The event included poems, songs and an open mic. They read poems about blueberries and elderberries so elderberry and blueberry pie were served at half time.

Northeast Region

Sarah Rose Thomas, Northeast Regional VP
970 School Place
Green Bay, WI 54303
psychopsychosarah@yahoo.com

       On September 13th Ron Ellis gave a knock-out show of poetry and visuals at Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor. Before Ron’s performance, Ralph Murre and Rolf Olson also read from their works.
       Annie Parcels and Nancy Rafal did a reading at Aurora Books in Menominee, Michigan on October 11th. Both read their works from the 2009 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar.
       Nancy Rafal presented copies of the 2009 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar to Billy Collins after a reading in Stevens Point and to Governor Jim Doyle after a Door County Land Trust event. She has sent a copy to Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton.
       Peter Sherrill won the 2008 WRWA Jade Ring in the “Serious Poetry” competition with “Sylvia Plath on the Way to the Library.” He took second place in the “Humorous Poetry” section with “This-Ain’t-No-Monastery-Blues.”
       Anita Beckstrom of Sister Bay was a winner in the recent Animal Contest sponsored by the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. She read her poem, “Sanctuary”, during poetry night at the museum, along with others including Door County poets: June Nirshl and Judy Roy, Baileys Harbor, and Estella Lauter, Fish Creek. The poems were featured in the Animal Anthology section of the latest issue of Free Verse.

Northwest Region

Jan Chronister, Northwest Regional VP
3931 S. County Road O
Maple, WI 54854
janchronister@yahoo.com

Diana Randolph, Jan Chronister, Ann M. Penton, and Naomi Cochran were featured readers in October for the Second Sunday Poetry event that highlighted poets from the Northwest region included in the 2009 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Prior to the featured poets, six audience members shared their poems during the open part of the reading.

South Region

Frank Konieska, South Regional VP
3633 Honey Creek Rd.
Burlington, WI 53105
konieska@tds.net

South-Central Region

James Roberts, South-Central Regional VP
324 Kedzie Street #30
Madison, WI 53704
jrob52162@aol.com

       What a Fall it has been! Readings, readings everywhere! Too many to keep up with, though I do my poor best. If I missed anyone, or several ones, let me know and I PROMISE to get it in the next issue. I’ve been busy with a large book project which hopefully will be completed by the time you read this. Anyway, let’s settle in the for the winter and write! write! write!
       Amy Groshek read from her book Shin Deep at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo on August 8th.
       Richard Roe did a reading somewhere on August 25th (but doesn’t Richard do readings everywhere?) but I couldn’t download his attached announcement, so you will have to find Richard and ask him sometime.
       Robin Chapman taught a workshop on “From Poem to Sequence: Writing into Chapbooks and Books”, in the Celebrity Saturday series on Saturday, September 20th at AllWriters’ Workshop in Waukesha.
       Angela Rydell continues to present poetry and writing workshops which have been praised by many WFOP members. The following three were held at the Pyle Center in Madison: Write Like a Poet, Angela Rydell and Laurel Yourke, September 27th (For poets and non-poets, learn how to write tight, use metaphor, surprises and imagery, enrich whatever you write.); From Notebook to New Work, Angela Rydell, Wednesday evenings, October 29th-November 12th (How to find that story, memoir, or poem before it escapes you again.); Making the Poetic Leap, Angela Rydell, Saturday afternoons, October 11th–25th (Find poetry in surprising places.)
       Madison Poet Laureate Fabu was a very busy woman and was part of the following readings: Saturday, August 23rd in Peace Park, 500 State Street in Madison, along with several teen poets that she has mentored; Tuesday, August 26th for Poetry in Penn Park along with South Madison and Madison teen poets; Saturday, September 13th, Poetry at 1:30 pm at The Harambee Center sponsored by The South Madison Library and The Wisconsin Humanities Council; Saturday, October 4th, Kids in the Rotunda, Storytelling at 9:30 am, 11 am and 1 pm at the Overture Center for the Arts, Rotunda Stage, and, finally, on Thursday, October 16th at Open Book Cafe in the Helen C. White building as part of The Wisconsin Book Festival, The Wisconsin Poet Laureates: Milwaukee Poet Laureate Susan Firer and Madison Poet Laureate Fabu. Keep up the good work, Fabu!
       Regent Neighborhood Poetry Club Exercise Hour continues to chug along with monthly meetings at the Froth House in Madison, hosted by Ronnie Hess. On Thursday, August 21st, Gillian Nevers facilitated at a new location: the Macha Tea House on Monroe Street.
       October 8th at the Peninsula Bookman in Fish Creek, Richard Swanson, Ralph Murre, David Clowers, and Rolf Olson (now known as “Men in Socks”) read from their published and unpublished works.
       On October 10th, Jeannie Bergmann joined Bruce Dethlefsen, reading from their newly published books at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo.
       James P. Roberts and Kimberly Blanchette read poetry during the August Derleth Society’s Walden West Festival in Sauk City on October 12th.
       On October 15th, John Lehman presented Rosebud’s 15th Anniversary: “How the Story Goes,” a retrospective of the magazine, at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison.
       On October 26th there was a poetry reading by Adam Gregory Pergament, Jeannie Bergmann, and members of the Dubuque Iowa Area Writers Guild at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison.
       Shoshauna Shy sends this item: Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf announces the first WOODROW HALL AWARD. This award will be given to a Wisconsin poet who has actively contributed to Wisconsin’s literary landscape, and will include five hundred ($500.00) dollars to implement an idea for a new poetry program or project. The winner must execute their idea in 2009. No entry fee. Multiple entries from same poet welcome. Download application at PoetryJumpsOfftheShelf.com and send with a SASE to: Woodrow Hall Editions, PO Box 260026, Madison, WI 53726. Entry Deadline: December 15th, 2008. Winner announced in January.
       Sarah Busse has been awarded a residency from the Terry Family Foundation and Edenfred. She will be a day resident in February-March 2009.
       Susan Elbe has a poem from her book online in the Vernal 2008 issue of Sea Stories seastories.org/indexVernal08.html, five poems online in the Madison issue of Locuspoint locuspoint.org/volume2/madison/elbe.html, and five poems online in the Fall 2008 issue of diode diodepoetry.com/v2n1/content/elbe_s.html. One of the poems in Locuspoint has been nominated by the editor for Best of the Net. She also has a poem in a new anthology from Yarroway Mountain Press, Cadence of Hooves: A Celebration of Horses. On October 4th, Susan taught a workshop titled “Illuminating The Walls of Mystery” during the Celebrity Saturday at AllWriters’ Studio in Waukesha, where she was very fortunate to have terrific poets participate.
       Peg Sherry has had a new book of poems titled Life Lines from Extraordinary Abundance, published by Holtz Creative Enterprises from Eau Claire. Peg says it’s her third collection in ten years.
       Jackie Langetieg has recently had poems published in Aurorean, Tiger’s Eye, Silk Road, and the 2009 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar and an acceptance by Hummingbird. She has a new book: Confetti in a Silent City, a collection of poems and gave a reading for her book of poems, And Just What in Hell is a Stage of Grief? in July at Avol’s with Alice D’Alessio.
       James P. Roberts’ poem, “Old Man” appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of Fox Cry Review, along with work by South-Central members Shoshauna Shy and Jeanie Tomasko, as well as several other WFOP members.

Submitted by James P. Roberts, South-Central Regional VP

       Kathleen Ernst has has poems published in Fox Cry Review and Appalachian Heritage.
       The 16th Annual WFOP Invitational Poetry Marathon was held at Olbrich Gardens in Madison on June 22, 2008. The readers in the 3-hour event in order were Fran Rall (Madison), Peg Lauber (Eau Claire), Eve Robillard (Madison), Fabu Carter Brisco (Madison), Sarah Rose Thomas (Green Bay), Nancy Rafal (Baileys Harbor), Phyllis Wax (Milwaukee), Kay Sanders (Oshkosh), Richard Swanson (Madison), Jeannie Bergmann (Poynette), Kathy Miner (Madison), Timothy Walsh (Madison), and Wendy Vardaman (Madison). The total attendance was about 50, similar to previous years.
       Madison Magazine features a poem each month in Poet’s Place, edited by the Madison Poet Laureate, Fabu Carter-Brisco. In the October 2008 issue, the featured poet was Fran Rall with her poem, “Before Wright Broke the Box.”
       Lisa Cihlar recently had two poems published in Wordgathering.

West-Central Region

Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP
320 W. Tyler Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
lindowleaf@yahoo.com

       After a week of lovely Indian Summer weather, today it is snowing in the Chippewa Valley. Wet slush is beginning to accumulate. If it freezes tonight, driving won’t be fun. Good time to stay home and read poetry.
       Poetry has prospered in West Central Wisconsin this fall. On September 10th, Steve Betchkal and Yvette Flaten were part of a poetry reading, “Four Square: A Poetic Antidote for Politics as Usual.” September 22nd, Sandra Lindow hosted the fall solstice White Pine Celebration at the newly remodeled Creamery in Downsville. Beginning October 16th the 9th Annual Chippewa Valley Book Festival attracted people from all over the area. October 17th, Japanese-American poet Lawson Fusao Inada was the featured poet. October 18th, Nadine S. St. Louis and Yvette Viets Flaten presented “Surviving with Poetry: Women on the Edge of Chemo.” Dina read from her new book, Zebra (Marsh River Editions, 2008), and Yvette read from her manuscript Chemo Sabe. Saturday, October 25th, at the Mabel Tainter Theater in Menomonie, Dina St. Louis and Peg Lauber read their poetry as part of “Seniors in the Spotlight” celebration.
       November 1st, Bruce Taylor was a presenter at the WFOP Conference in Marshfield. Taylor’s poem “Middle-aged Men, Leaning” was featured on Garrison Keillor’s Writers’ Almanac November 5th. Also on November 5th, Steve Betchkal, Candace Hennekens, Don Melcher, Yvette Flaten, Peg Lauber, Sandra Lindow, and Dina St. Louis participated in a 2009 Calendar Celebration at the Eau Claire Memorial Public Library.
       Steve Betchkal was interviewed on the Spectrum West radio show about his publication. Betchkal’s book, All This and Robins, Too, is a guide to bird watching in Wisconsin’s wildlife areas, which includes good places to sit and write poems.
       Don Melcher has had three poems accepted for an anthology on the homeless and hungry entitled Empty Shoes. It will be published by Patrick Randolph of La Crosse.
       Jane-Marie Bahr, Susan Kirch-Thibado, Sandra Lindow, and Dina St. Louis have poems in the Free Verse Double Issue, 97/98.
       Peg Lauber’s poem, “Six National Guardsmen Blown Up Together” has been chosen for the 9th revision of a textbook, Literature and the Writing Process, published by Prentice Hall.
       Sandra Lindow’s sixth poetry collection, Touched by the Gods, has just been published by Sam’s Dot Publishing of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her poem “Lambing Time” was one of three winners in the Free Verse Animal Anthology Contest. Her poem, “A Crisis of Forest”, appeared in the October/ November issue of Asimov’s and her senryu “In Space” won honorable mention in a Space Western on-line contest. See it at spacewesterns.com/articles/83/.

submitted by Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP

Keep Your Dues Current
Please remember that membership dues are payable by January first of every year. We no longer offer a "grace period" after nonpayment of dues. Members must be current with their dues to enjoy membership benefits such as:

the opportunity to be published in the Museletter's Poetry Page
listing of recent publications in the Museletter
free chapbook ad, and reduced advertising rates for other ads in the Museletter
eligibility to enter the Triad poetry contest
reduced entry fee for the Muse contest
free member web page on the Fellowship's web site
and, of course, the Museletter itself.

Don't Forget the New Dues Option
Members may pay $100 for a five-year membership. That's five years worth of membership for four years' dues. Please take advantage of this savings. The Fellowship also saves money by reduced mailing cost for all those payment reminders and lapsed memberships.

SOAR Scholarship
      For a third year a $250.00 scholarship is available for a WFOP member. The scholarship must be used toward tuition and expenses at the School of the Arts-Rhinelander in 2009. This scholarship has been sponsored by one of the Fellowship’s members.
       The Board will select the recipient at their winter meeting. The recipient must attend SOAR in 2009 and present receipts to WFOP to verify participation. He or she may take any classes.
       The first recipient of the scholarship was Brenda Hansen in 2007. Caroline Vargo was the 2008 recipient. In order to apply please send the following in a single envelope:

Name, address, and contact information
A statement of roughly 100 words describing what you hope to achieve at SOAR and whatever else you consider important in supporting your request for this scholarship
A sample of your writing (three pages or so)

Please send to:
      Lester Smith, WFOP President
      PO Box 12
      Elkhorn, WI 53121
Application postmark deadline is December 31, 2008.

In Memoriam

James Alderson

James Alderson, 82, died on July 29, 2008 at his home in Oshkosh. After serving in World War II, James earned a degree from Milton College in 1957. He worked as a teacher for 27 years, teaching at Blanchardville High School, Roosevelt Junior High School in Oshkosh, Oshkosh High School and Oshkosh West High School. James was a life member and past president of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and was a life member and past treasurer of the Council for Wisconsin Writers. James is survived by his wife, Jo, also a WFOP member, one son, four daughters, and six grandchildren.

Markets

Contest Updates

Publications

Museletter Poetry Page

What Were You Wearing?
Editor: Marilyn Taylor

THE SUIT

Tonight I’m wearing the suit you loved,
the one I wore to your funeral.
I haven’t had it on since,
the cream-colored blouse,
jacket, long, with one black
button, the whole ensemble
with its indistinct lines a blur
in black and white like morning fog.
I’ve looked at it so many times
and thought of you, of that day,
harder in some ways than the day
you died.

So unlike you, this suit, the business
cut, the lack of color, but then,
the whole ensemble shouts good taste,
would never betray the torn person inside.

It’s cold here in Florida, the ocean writhing
and tossing, smacking the shore as if filled
with rage. We’re going out to dinner, some posh
club with people we hardly know. I feel sad
and alone and that’s why I chose this suit.
It looks like a knight’s chain mail, but the kind
a mother would give a child. Soft,
protective and magical.

—Mary Jo Balistreri, Waukesha

NUMBER THIRTY-THREE

The basketball rang with every bounce
on the concrete driveway.
Rough orange rubber spun under my
fingertips, stopped
as I pushed down again, again.
The ball and I had found our proper rhythm.

In that alley in the summer of 1971,
I backed toward the hoop,
leapt straight up in one smooth vertical motion
and at the apogee released the ball
over my friend, Lenny Kazubowski.
Swish! My Sky Hook was unstoppable.

My favorite jersey blew and flapped around me,
Milwaukee Bucks, Number 33.
I stood only 4'’8”, but at that moment I had become
my 7’2” hero, Kareem Abdul Jabbar,
the year we won the NBA Championship.

I was 10 years old, insulated from
the protests near and far that had marked
all the years of my life. I saw no irony
that a small white boy from the South Side
would worship a 26 year old
black Muslim from Manhattan
struggling with his identity in America.

I was simply Number 33. I had grown
tall and strong and proud.

—Tom Toerpe, Baileys Harbor

WHEN THE ZIPPER WOULDN’T GO UP

I remembered
the sensation of waistbands
hanging off hipbones
& how I'd inhale
to feel the space
between skin & denim
& how the width of my midriff
fit the curve of boys’ hands.
I recalled
rolling with one in his
daddy’s big bed
wearing Landlubber blue jeans
exactly like his
& his long dark hair
exactly like mine
draping down softly
over both of our shoulders
& how I succeeded
at staying a virgin
the entire morning.

—Shoshauna Shy, Madison

LIFESTYLES OF THE DEAD

The dead set their alarms for moonrise and get up
before the buzzers spend their tiny silver seeds.
They feed the crickets flakes of pallid skin,
polish what’s left of the baroque brass handles.
Stepping into shrouds of secondhand light,
shoeless and cold, they follow forgotten foxpaths
through wasted fields.

When they get to town, they drift apart,
to walk up and down the blank sidewalk
in front of a new bank, stand peering
into a dark window in a vacant house, climb
stairs over and over that are no longer there.
They wear oily rags found in gutters, shreds
of crumpled black plastic, and lost overcoats
whose pockets they fill with all the feathers
they can find.

—F.J. Bergmann, Poynette
previously published in Margie—The American Journal of Poetry

Theme for Spring issue:
A 35-Word Poem
See below for more specific submission information.

Deadline:
Friday, February 6, 2009

RED STILETTOS

My whole life
I’ve wanted
to be beautiful,
you know—striking,
maybe head-turning?

But I’ve been busy,
and beautiful is hard work,
especially in middle age,
which is where I am now,
the age of being sensible,
a few pounds over, but realistic.

No magic mirror for me.
I’ve adjusted my sights, that’s all.
I’m coloring my gray,
I have my health,
my husband doesn’t complain,
and when I’m wearing my red stilettos...
Oo, girlfriend, I can strut.

So how could it hurt,
if one ordinary day,
some good-looking guy were to spy
this woman crossing the street
in her red, patent, Anne Klein stilettos,
and were to turn his head and think, “Striking ,”
and then, feeling compelled,
were to whistle at her?

And if she were to blush and toss her hair
as she walked on,
her shoes a little shinier,
her hips taking on a sway
like she was Marilyn Monroe,
how could it hurt?
I’d like to know.

—Cathy Conger, Wisconsin Rapids

I MUST HAVE HAD A REASON

to wear that giant red poppy
pinned at the side of my face
on that first day of high school

perhaps to draw attention away
from the flat chest
of a skinny girl
with big eyes

or from the tight new perm
when the style was for
sensuous long hair
with fluffy bangs

or maybe it was a sign
like in some south sea islands
that I was definitely
available.

—Anita Beckstrom, Sister Bay

IT WAS ALREADY OVER

I never read your obituary. Don’t know if I survived
you. Thought you weren’t really dead—
just playing another trick on me.
Remember my mother? She didn’t approve of you, but
she took me to Marshall Fields and bought me
a dress. A black dress with white, vertical stripes.
Conservative enough for a funeral, but fine for work. Or,
a date. In the Linden Room I picked chicken
from my pot pie, sensing her relief, suspecting
she was happy. She couldn’t have known it was already over.
You didn’t. I was so tired of you. Wanted more than
lonely nights, lost mornings. Lies.
Still, she must have been sad that you died
so young, my not-so-sweet, gap-toothed, bad boy.

             —Gillian Nevers, Madison

WHEN WE SHED OUR SKIN

There is a wildcat in me.
Coarse tongue for rubbing you blind.
Sassy as black lingerie under a winter coat.
Indifferent as June,
namesake, six lives and counting,
she is the twitching queen in my veins.

There is a giraffe in her.
Muscled tongue for licking you empty.
Fast as teenage love in steamy bucket seats.
Hungry as a bridge,
speechless, pounding tundra and chase
she is the quivering Amazon in your wake.

There is a porpoise in you.
Supple tongue for squeezing us deaf.
Erotic as a dancer in sheer veils.
Silver bracelet of the deep,
pretense, passport between sea and sky,
she is the cackling witch in your bed.

             —Cathy Cofell, Appleton

COMMUNION ON STOCKTON ISLAND

But this we know,
before we left our clothes behind
and ran to meet the water,
the blueberries we found
growing wild in the dunes—
and ate one by one
like sweet, small kisses—
turned into wine.

             —Jeanie Tomasko, Middleton

Theme for Poems By Our Membership Pages
A 35-Word Poem
1. Submit no more than two poems per member, please.
2. Title of poem, name of poet and home town of poet must appear on the submission itself.
3. Email submissions are fine, either as attachments or in the body of the email. Send to: mlt@uwm.edu
4. Snail-mail submissions are also fine. Send to: Marilyn Taylor, 2825 E. Newport Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Theme: Challenge yourself! Submit one or two poems consisting of EXACTLY 35 WORDS EACH, not including title. No more, no less. Any subject, any form. (I know, I know—this probably prohibits your sending a previously published poem. Consider it a great opportunity to come up with something new. Memorable nouns and verbs encouraged!). Membership status must be current to be considered for publication on these pages.

Marilyn Taylor

Thanks for your Entries!
As the new editor of the Museletter’s Poetry Pages, I have to tell all of you how impressed I was by the quality of the work that was submitted to the Winter Museletter—and by the sheer numbers, as well! Trying to pick just 8 or 9 from—literally!—the dozens that I received was downright daunting. In fact, many of the poems submitted that you do NOT see here are absent only because of simple space restrictions—and I’m not saying this just to make you feel good. The selection process–both a joy and a challenge—was exceedingly difficult.

Workshops, Contests, Etc.

CWW Opens 2008 Wisconsin Writing Contests for Poets
The Council for Wisconsin Writers invites submissions of writing by Wisconsin poets published in 2008. There are two contest categories for poetry: the Posner Poetry Award for a book of poetry; and the Lorine Niedecker Prize for a set of five individual poems, two of which must have been published in 2008. Awards of $500 and a weeklong residency at Edenfred, in Madison, are made in each category. Entry fee is $15.00; out-of-state judges will make the selections. Postmark deadline for entry is January 31, 2009. Writers must be residents of Wisconsin. Nominations are also open for the $1000 Major Achievement Award, recognizing a Wisconsin writer for work of outstanding merit. Entry forms and additional information are available on wisconsinwriters.org or by writing contest co-chair Marilyn L. Taylor, 2825 E. Newport Ave., Milwaukee 53211, indicating the contest categories needed. CWW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Wisconsin’s literary heritage and writers.

Bob Arnold Named 2009 Muse Poetry Contest Judge
Bob Arnold, the judge for the 2009 WFOP Muse Poetry Contest, is the author of two dozen books. The major collection, Once in Vermont, is meant as a sequel to his highly praised Where Rivers Meet. Bob lives in Vermont with his wife, Susan, and has been a publisher (Longhouse) and bookseller for 35 years. Longhouse Publishing is home of Cid Corman and Lorine Niedecker’s poetry.

FINANCES
Fiscal Scond Quarter Financial Report**

July 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008

General Account: submitted by Nancy Rafal, treasurer Balance July 1, 2008 $52,130.24
Income:	Dues	$530.00
	’08 Fall Conference Income	$5,615.00
	Museletter place ad	$100.00
	Museletter book ad	$5.00
	5 for 4 CD Interest	$53.01
	Literary Fund CD Interest	$986.06
	Membership list request	$2.00
	Total Income	$7,291.07
Expenses:	Museletter	$1,152.84
	N. Rafal: postage/supplies	$27.00
	J. Chronister-VP Expenses	$50.70
	Total Expenses	$1,230.54
Outstanding checks ($270.00) Closing Statements Balance as of September 30, 2008 $58,460.77 General Account Balance September 30, 2008 $58,190.77* *$25,000 of this is invested in three interest-bearing CDs: one $5,000 CD (22 months) for the General Account to help bridge the gap created by “5 for 4,” and two $10,000 CDs (13 months) the interest of which goes to the Literary Fund for our contest prizes.

*Literary Fund Account:* submitted by Susan Kileen, Literary Fund Co-Chair Balance July 1, 2008 $1,017.08
Income:	Total Income	$0.00
Expenses:	Triad Judges	$300.00
	Triad Supplies	$63.41
	Total Expenses	$363.41
Outstanding check ($100.00) Closing Statement Balance on September 30, 2008 $753.67 Literary Fund Balance on September 30, 2008 $653.67

Calendar Account: submitted by Michael Farmer, Calendar Business Manager Balance July 1, 2008 $6,255.63
Income:	Calendar Sales	$3,820.56
	Total Income	$3,820.56
Expenses:	Postage	$544.36
	Inkwell Printers—2009 Calendar	$7,600.00
	Editors' Expenses	$45.92
	Total Expenses	$8,190.28
Calendar Account Balance September 30, 2008 $1,885.91

General Fund	$58,190.77
Literary Fund	$653.67
Calendar Fund	$1,885.91
Total	$60,730.35

Fiscal year is April 1 to March 31 to coincide with our federal tax filing; the quarterly designations are now as follows:

First Quarter	April 1 — June 30
Second Quarter	July 1 — September 30
Third Quarter	October 1 — December 31
Fourth Quarter	January 1 — March 31

submitted by Nancy Rafal, treasurer

"Fellowship" T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Mugs Available
Sport your Fellowship membership proudly, and support us as well! The WFOP logo now graces T-shirts, sweatshirts and coffee mugs. The "T" is a basic-white model, silkscreened front and back in black. L and XL for $10; XXL costs $11. The sweatshirt, screened yellow-on-blue, goes for $20. The mug, at $5, is white ceramic with fired-on black printing. To purchase, contact membership chair Peter Piaskoski at kppi2105@sbcglobal.net or call (414) 332-9113.

Door County Retreat for Rent
South Nest
Three bedroom, two bath house near Cana Island. A quiet, restful, woodland retreat located in the boreal forest just off County Q. Woodburning fireplace, convenient location for all of northern Door County. 8734 E. Moonlight Bay Drive, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202-0340. (920) 839-2191 or mrsticket@dcwis.com Rates: $50/night/room or $125/whole house/night.

Wisconsin Poets' Calendar

It’ll soon be that time of year again! Submissions for the 2010 Wisconsin Poets’ calendar will be open from November 1, 2008, through February 1, 2009. You’ll be able to send up to three poems (each of 32 lines or less). Previously published poems are welcome—we’re looking for your best work, so send it. Full guidelines will be available at the WFOP Fall Conference and also in the fall Museletter. We look forward to reading your poems! Huzzah.

B.J. Best and
Charles Nevsimal, co-editors

Calendar Info Page
Order Form

Conference Rotation Schedule

Spring 2009 April 24-25 South	Fall 2009 November 6-7 East-Milwaukee
Spring 2010 April 23-24 Northeast	Fall 2010 November 5-6 Central-Fox Valley

Museletter Advertising Rates
Books for Sale in Poetry Publications
section..................... $5.00 per listing
(This price is not discounted to Members. Discount is built into the one free listing per book, per year)

Business Card ....... $25.00
Quarter Page ........ $50.00
Half Page.............. $100.00

Prices are for camera-ready advertisements. Specialty designs or advertisement setups at a price to be determined. Contact Museletter editor if interested in purchasing advertisements.