The war vets are shacked up on government land in old government buildings, part of a non profit program called Swords to Ploughshares. I come by on Tuesday nights and inspire them to write creatively. The first night of class 10 students showed up, eager to tell their stories. The next week only 4 returned.
I’ll bring some fuckin’ beer along next time. Beer and cigarettes. Get my enrollment numbers back up…what’d I do wrong? I started ‘em off with poetry. That was the problem. People hate poetry.
1. Beautiful photograph! That was the first thing that I saw when I got to the site and it really perked me up.
2. Never mind about the favor. I figured a way around it.
3. bummer about the attendance. Beer, I’m sure will work. I used to bribe my students (elementary kids) with free downloads to their iPods–that’s what I get for teaching in Malibu. But please don’t tell me that people hate poetry. I just posted a poem on my myspace page that I fear is a little lame and girly for my audience. Oh well…fingers crossed.
Comment by e. march — October 12, 2006 @ 2:26 am
Well e., i was a little terrified of that story. I can’t tell you not to use it, because that’s what the internet is about – grabbing images for your own use. But my god, I’ve never been stalked before, and to participate willingly in the stalking is a lot to ask.
I thought about the alcohol angle myself, but these guys are in a recovery program because their alcohol/drug abuse was so severe they wound up on the streets. I wouldn’t be a responsible educator if I did that.
Comment by jon — October 13, 2006 @ 7:05 am
these vets here you mention maybe like more to tell than to listen or write? i wonder if a stenographer is needed, or maybe a recording that, once transcribed, serves as a piece of writing to be further edited to better “tell” the story? the procedural aspects of writiing sure can be a buzzkill when getting off on the telling of a good story. and who dislikes a buzzkill more than a rehabee? sounds like a bridge between oral and written storytellin’(or poem-makin’ i guess) must be built. know any craftsmen?
-z
Comment by z — October 14, 2006 @ 1:14 pm
Stalking?! If that’s what your impression of my work was then not only are you NOT a tough guy (for being scared of a 5’2 dreamy IVY LEAGUE educated girl with a harmless crush on you)but you’re also not as bright as I thought you were. That piece had less to do about you and more to do with my liking you. You were the catalyst of those feelings and that work is nothing more than a bi-product of that. Still, I’d expect you to react that way. I’m finding that most cute indie white boys are soul-less self centered pricks, completely LACKING in any form of romanticism anyway…best of luck in life, Jon.
Comment by e. march — October 16, 2006 @ 10:03 am
oh boy. When we first met you called and asked my permission to stalk me, so that isn’t really stalking, is it…but the term stuck in my mind. Maybe you didn’t remember that.
soul-less, self centered…I have my good days and bad days is all I can say.
Comment by jon — October 16, 2006 @ 3:49 pm
Yeah, poetry, that could be a rough start for a crowd like this.
“The Things They Carried,” that’s the first thing that comes to mind for teaching this class.
You are never one to disappoint a crowd, my friend – you know how to keep people
coming back for more, and I’m sure this class will prove to be no exception!
Comment by KR — October 24, 2006 @ 3:20 pm