Veteran ’ s Day at the Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lori Widmer

third eye. It fills up a gallon every minute. I measured it once with the empty vase From the Argentinian receptionist’ s front desk the day I arrived to work a few minutes early.

Furthermore, I am a problem-solver. I can recognize an issue and devise a plan of action to deal with it, and I never hesitate to take on responsibility. At my current job I have taken the initiative to encourage the office to go green and to become better global citizens. As you might have noticed, this very letter has been printed on recycled Fair Trade paper handcrafted by the One WOV foundation, a Rastafari faith-based organization that, due to my persistent campaigning, my company now supports. One WOV or “Workers of Value ” helps growers in Jamaica to continue to cultivate high-quality product while making a living wage, not worrying about “big man ” oppression, and studying the divinity of Haile Selassie.

It was the first thing I thought of doing, I would build up my case. It’ s not that over the past five months two hundred sixteen thousand gallons of water have been lost. It’ s that

I am delighted to remain standing with a trusty heart and a sober mind and am a competitive candidate for whatever position you have available. I have heard such good things about you, the world at large, and have dreamt of this new opportunity. Please select the position, using the option(s) below, that you sense best fits my skills, experience, and personality type described above.

Franciscan Nun: Runs a convent in the Peruvian Amazon to help the Asháninka

Veteran's Day at the Wall

By Lori Widmer

Seven Hundred Twenty-two miles

Ten hours traveled back Forty-three years just to read Thirty names on thin paper Three had died Fifteen minutes apart Two minutes to say all Thirty including those Three names he drinks to forget.

Lori Widmer is a veteran writer and editor whose articles have appeared in numerous trade and consumer magazines. She lives in the Valley Forge area and blogs regularly at www.poetunderconstruction.com and www.wordsonpageblog.com. refugees receive equal education and protection from the remaining members of the Shining Path.

Proud Mother: Births the first female Dalai Lama.

Company Director: Runs a Caribbean fusion dance flash mob whose biggest fans happen to be in Southern France.

Cuban Diplomat: Establishes sustainable fair trade between the U.S. and Cuba without allowing U.S. companies to change or control the aesthetic or nature of Cuban culture/traditions.

nobody cares. When I informed my Russian boss that I had asked Joe, from maintenance, to come and fix it.

I have enclosed my résumé for your review. Should you need more information, I will be happy to provide it. You may reach me on my cell phone, my ex ’ s cell (but we ’ re still cool), or inbox me via Facebook at KeepingItReal (all one word), or just follow me on Twitter at #OccupyingSpaceFromTheOuternet.

I could see she thought I was crazy. She even laughed a little and said, “Oh, dushka, you didn ’t need to do that. ” But it is exactly what I needed.

Sincerely,

The dripping is driving me mad; it’ s either apathy, insanity or unemployment. The key to my office is not to jingle.

Noel Straight teaches creative writing, along with other English courses, at Temple University ’ s Intensive English Language Program and, at night, she offers Spanish classes through Fluent City. In her free time, Noel is working on a hybrid collection of short stories/poetry and planning her next trip to Cuba. Artist grants to support her writing in Cuba are highly encouraged (wink, wink). Some of Noel’ s work can be found on flashfiction.net and, forthcoming, in the Fall 2014 Issue of the Schuylkill Valley Journal.

JULIE COHEN

R E A D E R

Julie Cohen, PCC, spends her days as a professional Career and Personal Leadership Coach. Her work focuses on areas such as: work-life balance, leadership, communication, and personal growth. Julie is also a long-time reader and supporter of Philadelphia Stories. Given Philadelphia Stories ’ recent ten year anniversary, we thought it would be interesting to look back and gain some perspective on what the magazine means to one of our many valued readers.

Working as a Career and Personal Leadership Coach seems like an interesting and challenging profession. Could you briefly explain what the job entails?

Individuals hire me when they seek support in making a change regarding their work and/or life situation. They usually want to do something differently, do something better, or make a change that will enable them to be more effective, more satisfied, or navigate through a challenging situation. Organizations hire me when they want support for their employees – to either help them become better leaders and more effective in their positions, or to offer their employees tools and strategies to create a more manageable and satisfying work-life balance.

In March, you will be presenting a workshop—at a Philadelphia Stories run conference—on the topic of “Write/Life Balance. ” Can you describe some of the material that you plan to cover in the workshop?

The Write-Life Balance workshop will take many of the principles I teach and apply them to individuals whose writing is a significant part of their life. We will discuss how to create boundaries to protect one ’ s writing and creative time, how to develop priorities that include writing and all that goes with it, and how to design reasonable expectations, so others can support the writer with their commitment to his/her craft. And more!

In your professional life, do you often suggest the arts as a means of achieving balance in a work-heavy life?

I don ’t prescribe any specific avenue for enhancing someone ’ s work-life balance. How one chooses to achieve balance is a very personal decision based on one ’ s own unique values, priorities, and goals. The arts (or any hobby, interest, passion, etc.,) can enhance energy and provide a lot of pleasure in a ‘ work-heavy life. ’ If a client or reader would like more space and time for the arts in their life, I support them in making the sometimes-difficult choice to place aside the time and energy to do so.

Why do you believe it is important to support the local arts community?

On a completely personal level, the local arts community expands my awareness, challenges me to think in new ways, and enables me to experience new things. I want this for my son, my friends, the larger world and myself. I also want more joy, beauty and creativity in the world.

Do you have any suggestions for improvement or things that you would like to see Philadelphia Stories do in the future that could benefit the local arts community?

I’ ve noticed that most of the workshops are geared towards writers.

Perhaps offer a workshop for the reader. Maybe something like

‘ why and how to read poetry ’ . It would be interesting to have a poet at the class who could explain to the reader the value of poetry and why and how we should be reading it? A class on the value of short stories, opposed to novels, would also be interesting.

As a long-time reader of Philadelphia Stories and local arts enthusiast, what role do you believe the magazine plays in the greater community of Delaware Valley artists?

It’ s been exciting to see the magazine grow over the past 10 years. It’ s filling a void and providing a place for great talent to be shared with many who would not normally experience it. As someone who mostly reads novels, PS has exposed me to short stories and poetry that I most likely, would not have read elsewhere.

You can help support the local arts by becoming a member of Philadelphia Stories for as little as $25.

www.philadelphiastories.org/member

DEBORAH BURNHAM P O E T

Deborah Burnham PhD is a Professor of English at UPENN, as well as the author of Anna and the Steel Mill and the chapbook Still. She is also a long-time member of the Philadelphia Stories poetry board. In her free time, Deborah is an avid gardener and has constructed many small gardens in Philadelphia.

When did you first become involved with Philadelphia Stories?

In the spring of 2007.

What role do you believe Philadelphia Stories plays in the local arts community, specifically poetry?

A very important role. It offers a venue for those who aren ’t necessarily well known but who have something to say. It’ s free, very attractive, and quite accessible.

As a long-time member of the Philadelphia Stories ’ poetry board, you ’ ve had a chance to interact with submitted works and assist with screening selections. Have you noticed any common style, ethos, or attitude that tends to win the hearts of our editors?

Probably this: poems that are clear but not simplistic, that have a distinctive voice but do not pose or perform, that are rooted in the area but don ’t rely on cheese-steak/Rocky/Iggles clichés.

When did you begin creating your own work? Was poetry your first medium?

I began writing seriously in graduate school, in my mid-20s. Poetry was my only medium, for a long time.

Do you prefer poetry that is more narrative or image-based?

Oh, that is a really tough question! I love both.

Do you believe that a poem is obliged to hold meaning or do other factors—such as beauty and sound—weigh more heavily?

Another good, tough question. I think poems can develop a set of meanings and be beautiful (visually, sonically, etc) at the same time.

How have the Internet, social media, and the growth of self-publishing affected poetry?

All of these arenas have made it possible for people to think of themselves as potentially published. This likely makes people write more, and more often.

What working local poets do you find the most exciting?

Eleanor Wilner, Susan Stewart, Elaine Terranova, Gregory Djanikian, Bob Perelman.

Are you currently working on any projects?

Yes. I have finished a volume of lyrics about a long marriage which is on the market. I am working on a volume of elegies which should be finished by the spring. I also have a novel nearly done, which I’ m probably going to re-write for a young adult audience.

In Her Room by Maria Keane © 2014

Porches Writing Retreat

overlooking James River Valley in the Virginia Blue Ridge open all year to artists | www.porcheswritingretreat.com