I am on of the winners of AIBA’s “I love Albuquerque” Contest. You had to say in 25 words or less why you love Albuquerque. I won the AIBA’s choice award – second only to grand prize winner.

Here’s my entry:

Albuquerque

Hot yet cool,
expansive yet intimate,
embracing it’s history
and hurtling towards the future,

open, accepting, welcoming

HOME!

A little cheesy, eh? Oh well, I did rather quickly at 2am one night – and really can’t believe it won. But I’ll take it – and the chocolate that is my prize!

I’m a poet and didn’t know it! (Sorry, I had to throw that in here)

So I recently read How the Dead Dream, by Lydia Millet. First piece of actual literature I’ve read in a while – and it was intense, sad, wistful, and ultimately satisfying. My awesome friend Sarah, started an online book club – and this is the first selection.  I’ve already posted my comments about it on her blog, so I won’t go into details here – but it spoke to me on several levels.  The other book I’m still reading is Poemcrazy by Susan Woolbridge – I’m actually rereading it – I love it so much and can open it to any page to get a little inspiration to get me through the day.

So here’s by piece inspired by both of these books.

little shell – do you see me?
does your soul feel my compassion,
can your husk hear me weeping,

the walls are covered with rusty tears
upon learning of your passing,
take care little shell
i bid you peace
-and dreams of ocean blue skies

This poor bird was tied to the bars of one of the cells at the old state pen – this was in the area where the really bad stuff in the riot went down – things I can barely stand to think about. It was already a spook-filled place – and this little creature’s death was more than I cared to see – but I did. His tether was rather long with lots of room to move about – I can imagine him flying back and forth – trying to break free.