How My Sister Discovered That I Was in Love with Her Best Friend

"You would NEVER
do that for me," she said
in a huff, half shocked;
half outraged after learning
that I had treated J.J.'s
soup bowl like an underwater
hunting expedition --
navigating around the
diced carrots and potatoes,
green bean cuts, petite
peas, navy beans and
conchiglie to fish out
the kidney beans
that J.J. despised
so much. I shrugged
my shoulders, smiled
and stared at the floor
for a few seconds until
J.J. changed the subject,
wondering if we would
see snow that night.

(startled by twin burps)

startled by twin burps --
the secret belcher hidden
in his cubicle

Drawing for Limited Edition Newspaper Blackout Poem Print

If you'd like a shot at winning a signed, limited-edition print of one of artist/writer Austin Kleon's newspaper blackout poems, head over to his site and make a comment on the giveaway post! The deadline is Monday, Oct. 26, at midnight CT. I've already entered, myself!

Southern Festival of Books

Downtown Nashville hosts the 21st annual Southern Festival of Books this weekend. I'm especially excited about Alimentum's sessions, entitled "The Poetry of Food," to be held around lunchtime today and tomorrow. I recently discovered Alimentum, a fabulous literary journal that features poems and short stories that celebrate food (whether directly or indirectly). Rich, wonderful stuff, indeed. Join me tomorrow from 1 to 2 p.m. at the foot of the State Capitol, Charlotte Ave. and Sixth Ave. N.!

Spice by the Spoonfuls

The Hungarian mushroom
soup I had at lunch
today reminded me of
Till Midnight, the
tiny cafe across
the street from
my alma mater.
I went there
once or twice as
a student, unable
to afford more
than soup, dessert
and the spicy jazz fusion
piping through the speakers.