My body and brain tell me it’s December. At work I’ve been teaching, grading, going to meetings, reading files, doing paperwork, conducting interviews; the rest of the time I’ve been making lists, shopping, cleaning, cooking, digging out wool sweaters, and wondering when I’m going to get the house decorated. The sun rises late and vanishes early. I’ve got sniffles and deadlines.

But my long-awaited chapbook Propagation has arrived! And it’s set in early spring in the Virginia woods–or a slightly uncanny version of them, with Russian folktales climbing the tree boles like an invasive species–where the main character tastes bluebells and ponders her choices. Order it from dancing girl press here; read about it at William Woolfitt’s Speaking of Marvels blog here. Or contact me–I’m happy to send signed review copies gratis if you’d consider reviewing or teaching it.

Thanks to everyone who helped me get this long poem into print, and who helps me survive the world’s stupidities. Occasionally something really does blossom through the duff (subtext: Alabama).