Crosswinds News
December 2023
Featured Poet:
Frank Paino, of Ohio
Frank Paino, a frequent contributor, won third place in Crosswinds’ 2023 poetry contest.
Frank earned an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. His manuscript, Pietà, won the 2023 Jacar Press Chapbook Competition and is forthcoming in late 2023/early 2024. His third book, Obscura, was published by Orison Books in 2020. Frank has received a Pushcart Prize, The Cleveland Arts Prize in Literature, and an Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council. His poems have appeared in a variety of literary publications, including: Crab Orchard Review, Catamaran Literary Reader, North American Review, World Literature Today, The Briar Cliff Review, and Lake Effect, as well as a number of anthologies.
Links & Upcoming Readings:
Website: https://www.frankpaino.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.paino.poet
Check Frank’s website closer to dates for specifics:
27 April 2024: Verse-Virtual (online) reading with Lise Goett and Jennifer Franklin.
General Statement About Writing:
Note: This is adapted from my poem, “Muse,” based on Laura Christensen’s multimedia piece by the same name.
On Writing:
The Muse is not one to speak unless spoken to, and still she’ll make you work for it, every time, hip deep in aquamarine as you let the ancient lake close over you. It’s up to you to do the breaking, where the twinned weights of time and water press the veiled light of our histories into a lexicon for what it means to be alive on this ravishing planet we refuse to stop breaking. It will be the new tongue you speak when, finally breathless, you take what you can carry—haul yourself back into light.
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November 2023
Featured Poet:
Robert Clinton, of Dedham, MA.
As many of you know, Robert was awarded the $1,000.00 Grand Prize-in Crosswinds’ 8th annual poetry contest.
We were thrilled that Robert was able to come to Rhode Island and perform his poem at our annual celebration book launch.
About Robert Clinton:
Robert earned an MFA from Goddard College and has twice been a fellow at MacDowell. His poems have appeared in Wisconsin Review, Stand, Shenandoah, Antioch Review, Ploughshares, among others. In 2022, Robert won the Yeats Poetry Prize; and we at Crosswinds were thrilled to award his poem (one of over 1,500) Grand Prize earlier this year. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts where he has a woodshop in his basement.
Robert is the author of two poetry collections poetry, Taking Eden (Sarabande Books 1998), and Wasteland Honey (Circling Rivers Press 2021), both available at Amazon.
Robert had this to say about poetry:
I wrote once that “poetry is the code of common elements transmuted into history and fortune.” These days I’m not so sure how coherent the history is, and I’m not sure that fortune is paying attention. The words on the page seem weaker and more confused. But I will say there is nothing in my life as powerful as writing a poem which I admire and I aim to continue the search. I depend upon it; I do practically nothing else. And I can’t help hoping for a big payback.
To read the reviews or purchase Robert Clinton’s newest book, Wasteland Honey, please visit Circling Rivers Press at: circlingrivers.com
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A few upcoming Rhode Island poetry events and opportunities:
Nov. 30th – 6-9 PM: Poets for Peace – Notes Coffee Co. 508 Armistice Blvd. Pawtucket, RI
Dec. 10th – 7-10 PM: Poetic Artistic Experiences, including poets, rappers, singers, and musicians. 225 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI.
