[Michael F]

First, I suppose, there's mine here. Hello, Sphere!

I've been shy to come out before you, in part because poetry to me seems a serious vocation, a priesthood of sorts -- and I recall an admonition from my teens: "Stay out of the priesthood as long as you can!" I can at least say, I tried...

Some recent morsels, and with sincere thanks:

- The magnanimous Peter B has accepted "Winter Birds" for the next 14by14;

- Mahatma Mike B has just posted a handful of my poems in the Spotlight at The Hypertexts, including some brooding nuggets from my youth that I won't disown, that I'm happy to see in print;

- As you may have seen, the munificent Rose K accepted my flabby deliberations in the latest Shit Creek Review;

- The adventurous Tim Green at Rattle has taken a curious lil trifle (in meter and rhyme, I'm pleased to say) called "Think of the Children", dedicated to the Reverend Mrs Helen Lovejoy (!), to appear in June.

And thanks to you, to this site: I listen and I learn. You help brace the buckling will, steel the timorous nerve -- to come out --

MJF

[Mark Blaeuer]

Congratulations, Michael, and welcome!

Mark

[Ed Shacklee]

Congratulations, Michael -- I'm very glad to see you on the Sphere. I still remember the surprise of reading 'Recognition,' which was published in 14 by 14 a while ago, especially but not just the final couplet.

Ed

[Michael F]

Mark, thanks.

Ed -- thanks, and thank you for your very kind and generous words. I also admired your "4th of July", for the freedom with the form, the controlled sentiment, and the skillful execution. (I mentioned as much to Peter when the issue went up.)

TTFN

[Maryann Corbett]

I love it when new folks speak up when they've published! Welcome, Michael.

[Alex Pepple]

Welcome to the Sphere, Michael! Those are fine publication credits. Congratulations!

...Alex