Two of my poems, Lessons in Genetics and They Called Him Cap’n Glass, are published at The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature. You can see the poems by clicking HERE.
I love The Mule! Stick around and read it all.
Cap’n Glass is based on a real person who was a colorful soul.
In Genetics, Lesson #4 is dedicated to my daughter. It’s one of the things I always tell her about family. My tongue is firmly implanted in my cheek, of course.
Thanks for reading!
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Awesome Julie! Lesson in Genetics was hysterical! And you know I love the Captain.
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Thanks, Cat! Hey…do we get pictures of your garden? That would be awesome. I hope you got some of the rain we did last night. It was nice. -Julie
j b-y,
you did well.
both different, both wonderful.
Thanks, Jack. It’s always great to see you.
Oh MY GAWD, Julie! Those two were just fantastic! I love those numbered rules in “Genetics” and the “unmitigated gall” of the potato salad.
The Cap’n’s funeral was priceless! Especially the inclusion of the preacher’s laughing too. Genius – as usual, from you, my dear! God’s whisperin’ in your ear (when he’s feelin’ a bit like ridin’ the wild side)!
Kat
Hi, Kat! Ridin’ the wild side…ha! ha! I love how you put that. People sometimes get upset at a few of the “wilder” words in my poems (which I find funny, because it’s really pretty mild). But it’s the voice of the cap’n. He doesn’t do frilly words.
Thanks so much, Kat. I appreciate your comments very much:)
Hahahahaha! “Genetics” is hilarious! Lesson #1 and Lesson #2 had me rolling! Such great stuff. It reads like a family inside joke (which it is), but the way you word it you let all your readers in on the joke. Even the ones who ain’t kin.
On an unrelated note, Noah has started making fun of me because I say “ifn'” from time to time (as in “we can go to the beach tomorrow ifn’ ya wanna”). I blame you.
Hey, Amber Love! Ha! Ha! Do I say if’n? I didn’t even know that. I swear!
Grandma is going to kick my butt if she ever reads this. All I get told is that we’re “a little bit of kin…maybe” to Marsh. Grandma’s mother was a Williams. There are a bunch of them on that side, and he’s related to them. But I don’t know where (or if) we fit in. She won’t tell me. Ha! The movie of his life came on recently, but I missed it. I think it was Jimmy Stewart who played him? Not sure.
We’re also maybe related to a former Miss North Carolina who is also a Williams. I had a stanza about me in a tiara. Laugh loudly now:) Too bad I had to cut it. It was a bit much. Ha!
The pirates came up when a dear relative was researching our geneology back in the 80’s. She was hoping to find royalty. Bless her heart. She was ever the optimist. Maybe that’s where you get your pirate-ness from? I haven’t been able to find them since, though.
It’s sort of funny how much emphasis people put on who is on the family tree. It is interesting to find out. I’d love to know where Buffaloe comes from. But even if there are great people on there, it doesn’t make me great (or the other way around). On the other hand, it might explain a lot of things…hee hee.
Love You, Amber! I can’t wait to see you. Tell Noah I hope we can all do something fun IF’N he wants to come. Ha! Ha!
Hey, Amber! Lookit this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CarbineWilliams
He must be famous if’n he’s on wikipedia. HA! HA!
Congratulations again, Julie!! You rock!
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Hi, Rachel! Thanks so much. ‘Tis always great to see you:) -Julie
God, you went and did it again. You are the Poetess! Goddess of Poets!!
Simply wonderful. There is no escape indeed.
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Christopher, your check is in the mail. Ha! Ha! I’ve never been called a Goddess of Poets. I’ve been called a pain in the arse or other things like that but never goddess of poets. Thanks so much. It’s always good to see you. -Julie
First of all, I think we might be kin. Does your grandmother’s tombstone say, “Proud daughter of the UDC and the DAR”? Does anybody in your family have the name “Mad” in front of their other name? Does the ig factor rise with the volume every time the family gets together? Does every family surname show up in the Melungeon handbook? Are the black sheep of the family the superachievers? Yeah, I thought so. We’re cousins!
Love the Cap’n, and like all of the people in your poetry, I can see him so well.
You do such great work, Julie. You can make me smile or laugh or cry or rage at your will. You’re a great poet.
Hi, Cuzzin Karen! Of course, we’re kin! And you’re the only one except for Amber who will claim me. Ha! Ha!
One thing I will say about my family is that we DO NOT inbreed. Yuck! At least we’ve got that much sense. There are a couple of Mad Dogs in the tree, though. LOL! Maybe I’m one of them.
Thanks so much, Karen. You always make my day!
Love ’em both. I particularly love Lesson #2. Its funny but the family lesson I’ve always given to Angel (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) has been “run….run while you still can.” Hmmm. Seems he’s learned it well.
Hi, Brigindo! Ha! Ha! Run while you still can! I laugh, but that really is a great lesson. They have to run, so they can find out who they are apart from the family. When they come back, they are much stronger and enjoy being with the family even more. I think family always stays with a person, no matter where he or she goes.
Sheesh…here I am giving “sage” advice. Who am I kidding? I bawl for Amber all the time…ha! ha!
I can’t wait to go through your nonfiction reading list. It sounds like you have a lot of good books that might go into the subject. Thanks so much!
Fantastic, both of them……..I especially like the wicked humour in the first and the descriptions of the second. You’re a wonder and I can’t wait for your book to come out……I just wish we’d got it first.
Thank you so much, Jo! It really means a lot to hear you say that. You know how much I love your work. Speaking of which, I’m waiting for a poem this week…tapping foot:)
i absolutely LOVED lessons….great poem. perfect ending. wonderful choice of words. well done, ma’am!
Thanks so much, Justin. My mother will kick my butt if she sees this. But it really is true, isn’t it? I can see all of my family in me…things I say, patterns of speech, even small gestures like the way I move my hands or eyes. No escape! Ha! Ha!
Congratulations! I enjoyed both, had my share of laughs while reading, and again marveled at your imagery (I hope I spelled that correctly, because I’m too lazy to look it up.)
I hope you’re staying dry in this weather. Six tornadoes yesterday! Hopefully none today, but with all those red spots on the radar, who knows.
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Hi, Kimberli! Thank you for the kind words. I feel so badly for the people who lost their homes. I have been through hurricanes and never once had the fear I get from a tornado. I guess it’s because we could prepare for hurricanes days in advance. Tornadoes just seem to pop up out of nowhere.
In my neck of the woods, we’ve had thunderstorms and rain for the gardens, which was nice. At least so far. Who knows what will happen? Crazy weather reminds me how transient we are in this life.
Thanks, Kimberli! -Julie
You love the Mule, and the Mule loves you! Wonderful news. I’ll go read.
So funny! We can all learn a thing or two from you about humor in poetry, Julie. These are two great poems. I love how you worked in ‘sumbitch’ too!
Hi, Christine! Ha! Ha! I’ve been scolded this week for using that word. Sheesh! People think I should make the captain say “golly wally.”
On a different (sort of) topic, Amber tells me I say if’n, and I still don’t believe it. I keep asking my husband…”Did I just say if’n? Huh? I don’t think I did.” HA! I’m so silly.
Thank you so much, Christine. Your comments are most appreciated:)
Julie, those two poems are superlative! My gosh..you got me laughing with both of them. You are just a wizard with characterizations, and narratives, and descriptions and ….et. al. et. al. –
You’re a talented storyteller. You take observations of ordinary life and render them so finely and completely that it astonishes me. I dare say your work nourishes me as a southerner AND as a poet. – such wise depth!
Always an extreme pleasure to read your outstanding work.
Hi, K! Thank you so much. You’re a big encouragement and inspiration, and I appreciate it very much!
Julie, you are one helluva storyteller. Love these. Stunning poems!
Thanks, Michelle! I just read your tasty poem again, and I’m hungry:) Congratulations again. It is so awesome!
Hi Julie, I loved the poems, especially Cap’n Glass. “Sumbitch” is perfect in that poem, and perfect in that stanza; it’s part of the “music” of the words, and great characterization, said with obvious affection.
Hi, Annie! Yes, I do love the cap’n. A friend of mine would laugh to see it, because he is based on a real person. I just love those people who are so free and natural. He was rough around the edges but a good soul. Thanks so much, Annie. I look forward to seeing what you have up this week. You really get my wheels turning!
weird – why do i want biscuits & gravy & a king edward cigar all of a sudden?
oh, i know why. it’s because these poems are freaking brilliant. i love how “lessons” is funny with just the right amout of bite – wistful but with a gleam in the eye. (the good one, not the glass one.)
and the cap’n – well. i don’t know what to say except that everytime you write a poem like this you put on a clinic in poetic storytelling. ah-mazing.
Joaquin, I love your comments. Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. You sure do know how to make a crazy poet feel good:)
Now I’m thinking you’re kin, too. Don’t worry…I won’t make you admit it. Ha! Ha!
Mmmm…biscuits ‘n gravy. Now I’m ready for supper. Thanks so much.
dont they allow you to post those poems here too? i liked the lesson 2 in genetics…
lesson 3…HMMM why is that?LOL 🙂
lesson 4 :so true so true…
@They Called Him Cap’n Glass
“pissed where he pleased..”OKKK 🙂
i thought it was nice and funny…more than that perhaps i could not relate much to it..no i didnt say i dint like..i say i MIGHt have not understood it fully…sorry 😦
but lessons in genetics were brilliant.. 🙂 no doubt about it.. 🙂
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Hi, Narendra! It’s always nice to see you. Thank you for all of the comments. I will answer your other comments tomorrow (it’s Sunday night). I just got in from a weekend trip and am headed for some rest🙂
The answer to your question is yes. I am allowed to post my poems here. They have “first publication rights.” I guess that’s what it’s called. I need to learn the lingo. LOL! Out of respect for the journal, I’ll probably wait a while to post the poems, though.
Yes, the Cap’n is very regional. Among other things…ha! Thanks again for all of your kind comments. I appreciate it very much. Have a beautiful day. -Julie
julie, your poems always blow me away! they take me to a different world altogether. i especially love the lessons — brilliant!
i can’t wait to get my hands on your chapbook.
Hi, Odessa! Thank you very much. Your comments are so nice, and I do appreciate it. I look forward to reading your new poems this week! Happy Mother’s Day to your beautiful mother🙂
Wow, Julie – have not been here in a few days and just look at you – what a Great Storyteller you are —I am so happy for you – Two Wonderful pieces of work –
I wish you all the best and thank you for sharing —
Thanks, Barbara. It’s great to see you:)
Julie…oh Julie, I have been in my own world…teaching, visiting parents…I have missed reading your work. I am always so in awe. To use both meanings of winch/wench in a work…I envy you a bit for your insanely smart work. I’m happy for you with your chapbook. I want a copy!!! How did your move go? How are you doing in NC? I’d love to meet up this summer sometime. Lemme know!
Holly
Hey, Holly! It’s always so good to see you🙂 I’d love to see you this summer. Keep in touch, and we’ll come up with something we can do to get us in trouble…ha ha! I’m sure we can think of something. Thanks & feel free to drop in any old time.
Two different styles of poems, equally divine.
I so enjoy your tongue in cheek style, personal “Julie” marks, and fantastic visuals.
Congrats upon publication in the Mule! (I have a sudden yen for buttery (REAL butter) grits…
Hi, Lynne! Thank you so much for all the kind words. I could go for some grits right now, too. Yum! Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. Have a beautiful day!