When I first read Courtney LeBlanc’s poem, “Goat of My Heart,” I thought oh I can relate to this. In my dating years, I did not always know how to make the best choices. I dated men who didn’t always respect what I wanted, or who pushed me to be something other than who I was. I dated men who, when angry, could ignore me. But I also dated good men—men with big hearts, kind words, men who might have chosen to love me for the long haul if I had let them. I let go of them and only later realized the extent of the loss.

But in each choice, there was a lesson. I gave myself quite an education.

Yet out of our choices and gained wisdom, often we can create beautiful art. I think Courtney LeBlanc did that here with her poem:

You can listen to Robert McCready reciting the poem on his Evening Magic YouTube Channel here.

This poem is posted here with permission by the poet, Courtney LeBlanc. It was published July 13, 2020 by Okay Donkey. This poem appears in Courtney's forthcoming book, Exquisite Bloody, Beating Heart which is available for pre-order (and will be on sale through April in honor of National Poetry Month). Learn more about Courtney LeBlanc here.

Thank you, Courtney, for sharing this poem with me and with us.  

During the month of April, which is National Poetry Month, I am sharing poems I love from contemporary writers. I hope to pique your interest in poetry, if it needs to be piqued, and to show you that a really great poem can be accessible to all. If you missed the first poem, you can find it here.

Photo credit: Marek Studzinski

Upcoming Events

The Art of Memoir & Personal Essay: A Generative Writing Workshop
June 9-July 7, 2021 (Wednesdays), 2:30-5 p.m. (EST)
Join me in this five-week, online (Zoom) workshop during which you will generate new writing, read writing that inspires, and learn some tools and techniques on the craft of personal essay/memoir writing. There are no critiques in this workshop. The goal is for you to leave with first drafts and a writer’s toolbox ready to help you finish and write the rest of your own life stories. Space is limited. Learn more here. Cost: $349. Early bird rate $299 available until May 8 or until space is filled. Register here.

Let’s Write Together!
Having a hard time finding inspiration and motivation to write? Join me for any (or all) of these online one-hour sessions. We’ll talk about a piece of writing, I will give you a prompt, and then you will WRITE. These workshops are part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $10/session.
April 13, noon EST: Register here
April 27, noon EST: Register here
May 4, noon EST: Register here
May 18, noon EST: Register here

Moments that Matter: an Introduction to Flash Nonfiction
May 5, 2021, 6:30-8 p.m. EST
In this workshop, we’ll talk about what flash nonfiction is, how it works, and why it works. Together we’ll mine some powerful flash pieces for effective techniques you can use in your own writing. This program is part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $30. Register here.

***NEW CLASS***
Make Your Poetry Titles Do More of the Heavy Lifting
May 26, 2021, 6:30-8 p.m. EST
Poem titles should serve your poem rather than simply being a way to navigate the contents page. Together we'll look at poems with titles that work hard, contribute to the poem, and offer zing and pizzazz, so your titles will entice readers and better serve your poetry. (P.S. All this can apply to flash nonfiction titles, too.) This program is part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $30. Register here.