Jeffrey McDaniel has been a big influence on my writing. In fact, it was a performance by him that got me re-started with writing and publishing poetry. I went to an "all-star poetry slam" with all star poets competing with youth slammers at a bookstore in D.C. I don't remember what I heard there, but McDaniel's manner and work had a big effect on me. Purchasing his book, "The Splinter Factory," I came across a voice that was real, contemporary, and funny. It made me feel I could do this, too, if not anywhere close to McDaniel's level. So I thank McDaniel for inspiring me, and share with you a poem of his from the Poetry Foundation's web site.

The Quiet World

By Jeffrey McDaniel

In an effort to get people to look

into each other’s eyes more,

and also to appease the mutes,

the government has decided

to allot each person exactly one hundred

and sixty-seven words, per day.

When the phone rings, I put it to my ear

without saying hello. In the restaurant

I point at chicken noodle soup.

I am adjusting well to the new way.

Late at night, I call my long distance lover,

proudly say I only used fifty-nine today.

I saved the rest for you.

When she doesn’t respond,

I know she’s used up all her words,

so I slowly whisper I love you

thirty-two and a third times.

After that, we just sit on the line

and listen to each other breathe.

Source: The Forgiveness Parade (Manic D Press, 1998)
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/jeffrey-mcdaniel

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016