An 'Ocean' Of Loss, Through A Poet's Prism
There was once a cultural moment — though not one that is easy to remember — when only a select few writers got the privilege of publishing a memoir with a big house. Those writers had to either a) be famous, b) have such a compelling story that it screamed to be told, or c) be a fantastic enough stylist to gloss over the lulls and ebbs of a sometimes banal life.
These days, memoirs are being snatched up by the dozens for publication, and many of their authors have none of these qualifications. Sure, celebrities are still confessing their sins on the page (see the current best-seller lists) and the genre has produced blockbusters (some later found to be based on lies), but for the most part memoir has become a literary punch line.
And yet, even now, there are the memoirs that break through. Writing out one's experiences is still a powerful form of catharsis, and when the author has been through enough to have learned some big lessons and has the chops to express them well, the result can be exhilarating. Such is the case with acclaimed poet Kelle Groom's new memoir, I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of A Girl .
Groom has crammed so much pain into one lifetime that it is almost hard to believe: An alcoholic at 15 and pregnant at 19, she, on her family's urging, gave up her infant to an aunt and uncle to raise. That child, Tommy, surrendered to leukemia before the age of 2, and Groom's family kept the details of his illness from her, choosing to let her grow up with a hazy vision of how her baby lived and ultimately died. In the years that follow, Groom was abducted and raped after a night of heavy drinking, the second time in her life she had come under assault (she was attacked at knifepoint as a teen). She fell in and out of rehab for drinking and self-mutilation, got engaged and then broke it off, preferring several short love affairs and random sexual encounters. She moved from place to place in search of sobriety, safety and solace. And she was saved, at least in part, by writing poetry — and by digging deep into medical archives to understand her son's prognosis.
, you'll wish that more poets would write their lives in prose — Groom's voice feels vital and awake, uncompromising and refreshingly spare.Groom beautifully summons the smallest moments from her memory. When a boyfriend once hugged her after learning about her son, she writes, "that holding on stays with me, like the painted works of mercy." Remembering the last time she embraced Tommy, she writes, "His head is barely resting on my white cardigan, almost as if he's levitating. But he's at ease with me, nearly asleep in the red flowers.
Electric Needle Punch - News
It is just one shot, one needle through my skin. But even nine months pregnant, my frame is small — the weight all baby. So the effect of the drug is a flood in my veins. I'd like to walk down the street feeling this light. I'd like to be a passenger
Yorkie's Primitives: My Swaps & Win!
Jan gave away three of her punch needle projects and since I was the first winner, I got two!! Pictures do not do these punch needles justice. I have swapped with Jan before and her work is fabulous!! If you haven't seen her blog head over and check out her work at http://myprimitivenest.blogspot.com/ Here's a pic of what I won and I absolutely LOVE the sheep punch needle!!!! And the rabbit punch needle is soooo adorable. I am still deciding if I want to frame the sheep or make a pillow out of it. I was also in a 4th of July swap on Prim Pals and got Sharon Posey. I opened the box and she had everything wrapped in crow paper. I love the paper but I really loved all the goodies. She sent an Uncle Sam, electric candle, an adorable embroidered hand towel and so much more. She even etched 1776 in the small candle! Here's pics of all the goodies I got. Thanks Sharon for such a great swap package!!!!! And last but not least, I was in a supply swap at Old Farmhouse Gahtering and got Mary Thompson as my partner and she sent me the neatest items. She read that I have a hard time finding linen and sent me several pieces of linen for stitcheries! She also sent some flowers, lace buttons and a lot of amish pattern. Thank you so much for such a great swap Mary!!1 Here's pics of her swap. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 40 years. We have 2 girls and 6 grandkids and 3 extended grandkids (2 nieces and 1 nephew). I love spending time with my family, sewing, woodcrafting, cooking, gardening and anything crafty. I have crafted for over 30 years doing everything from making dolls. macrame to cross stitching and have now developed a special love for primitive crafts. I enjoy making these crafts and thinking how it must have been in prairie days without all the luxuries that we have. So sit back and relax and enjoy my blog.
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