Issue #2
Hello! Perhaps you don’t remember signing up for this newsletter. That’s okay. You’ve probably forgotten far more important things and you still managed to muddle through.
Let me remind you. My name is Robert van Vliet. I'm a poet and teacher, and a few months ago I thought that starting a newsletter sounded like a good idea. If you’re reading this, you apparently agreed. We may both be mistaken but, oh well, here we are anyway.
While we wait as my chapbook, This Folded Path, slouches towards Ottawa to be born, here are three things to distract you:
First: I have a poem, “Four Lessons,” in the latest issue of Guesthouse. I am genuinely honored to be among such company; it’s an amazing collection of writing. (And check out the excellent critical essay that introduces the issue.)
“Four Lessons” is from my book, Vessels, which will be published next year by Unsolicited Press.
Second: Robert Bringhurst was a major influence for me as a typographer as well as a poet. Recently, he participated in rob mclennan’s long-running 12 or 20 (second series) questions.
Third: Here’s a local-interest story which only just came to my attention. The Kmart that destroyed Nicollet Ave closed in May of 2020. The city of Minneapolis bought back its lease and is planning to revitalize the area. I’m cautiously optimistic that they might do it right this time: New Nicollet Redevelopment.
(This will catch you up on the history of the site: Imagining a New Nicollet.)
Until next time!