National Poetry Month Celebration
Bio: Brian Hood is a high school English teacher living in the mountains of southern California. He has been recently published in "Straight Forward," "Tongue Mag," and "Blankets and other Poems." For better and worse, he has been teaching long enough to see his student's poetry published. But with his wife, kids, and dogs all is amazing.....life is sweet.
Star struck
300 sextillion stars in the universe
And God is going to help me pay my bills?
The lines on my forehead are deeper than they used to be
That old girlfriend?
Likely doesn’t remember my name
She’s been through three husbands.
and the Teflon on my favorite fry pan has worn off
fried eggs hold on like a starfish to its rock home.
The Teflon inside my digestive tract
Is likely more harmful than the lead in Chinese toys.
Every week a new announcement of death from overseas
The Hot Wheels I loved as a kid
are killing me today
So – given my karma lately –
I probably have a baseball-sized tumor.
God? Are you there?
No, it’s not Margaret
It’s me and I don’t think you care.
Do I care if I kill an ant?
Or cripple him? (I should make him play with my lead-addled Hot Wheels.)
No, I go about my business
making life difficult for ants.
And God is going to help me pay my bills?
The lines on my forehead are deeper than they used to be
That old girlfriend?
Likely doesn’t remember my name
She’s been through three husbands.
and the Teflon on my favorite fry pan has worn off
fried eggs hold on like a starfish to its rock home.
The Teflon inside my digestive tract
Is likely more harmful than the lead in Chinese toys.
Every week a new announcement of death from overseas
The Hot Wheels I loved as a kid
are killing me today
So – given my karma lately –
I probably have a baseball-sized tumor.
God? Are you there?
No, it’s not Margaret
It’s me and I don’t think you care.
Do I care if I kill an ant?
Or cripple him? (I should make him play with my lead-addled Hot Wheels.)
No, I go about my business
making life difficult for ants.
The Interview
Where do you find inspiration to write poetry?
I find inspiration everywhere, and not at all. I have to force myself to write with or without some amazing idea. Sometimes good words just come out through put a bunch of stuff on paper. Most of my inspiration has come from my wife encouraging and "nagging" me to just write something.
What advice do you have for people that are threatened by poetry?
My students are often threatened by poetry. Usually it's because of the poetry they've been compelled to read. By exposing them to poetry that's gripping, funny, unexpected, and relevant to their lives, they often come to enjoy it.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I've been in five movies without uttering a single word. I want to add "Professional Extra" to my resume.
Where do you live? Where are you from?
I've lived in Portland, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Long Beach, and Big Bear. I don't think I'm settled yet.
Who is your favorite poet?
My favorite poet is anyone who writes something which provokes me to think. I can't name a favorite because it may be different with the next poem I read.
I find inspiration everywhere, and not at all. I have to force myself to write with or without some amazing idea. Sometimes good words just come out through put a bunch of stuff on paper. Most of my inspiration has come from my wife encouraging and "nagging" me to just write something.
What advice do you have for people that are threatened by poetry?
My students are often threatened by poetry. Usually it's because of the poetry they've been compelled to read. By exposing them to poetry that's gripping, funny, unexpected, and relevant to their lives, they often come to enjoy it.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I've been in five movies without uttering a single word. I want to add "Professional Extra" to my resume.
Where do you live? Where are you from?
I've lived in Portland, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Long Beach, and Big Bear. I don't think I'm settled yet.
Who is your favorite poet?
My favorite poet is anyone who writes something which provokes me to think. I can't name a favorite because it may be different with the next poem I read.
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