Reviews give my writing life, give my ambitions, some spine. I'll never be able to reconcile their absence. It's worrisome.

I can't shake the angst, even knowing how few review venues exist.

But the flip side--are younger poets of the same mindset? Are reviews nice to have, not need to have? It's possible that beginning a career when review culture is near-nonexistent has bred ambivalence to them.

A discussion we had at Coach House ed board--how to convey to our older authors that reviews, or number of, are no longer a way to gauge reception.

I'm a case in point: I'm "older." This is the 2nd review Lossless has received, and it's not looking good for another, 1 1/2 years past pub date. 😱

It also has a poetry book for sale (one only) by a local author who, in the acknowledgments, “…would like to thank readers of poetry in general and mine in particular.” A sentiment we can all get behind.

What's you take on the odds McDavid signs in Toronto after his current contract. Do the odds go up or down depending on whether the Oilers win a cup?

Whenever the panel and media are like “But Auston Matthews is playing great defensively” you know it’s the same old same old. Straight swap for Rantannen…??

The only other time the Leafs were this healthy was 2023 when Bob put up a .950 or something and just stoned them. Sometimes it is that simple.

Helluva pic to go with the header. Kudos.

Big Graham fan and even still this one floored me. Great great book.