First poem in 15 years

This is the first poem I’ve written in more than 15 years. I wrote it for a poetry workshop I’m taking at UNLV, as a graduate assistant in the MFA creative writing program. (My concentration is fiction, but we have to take some poetry classes, too.) The theme of the workshop is the “immediately accessible sublime” or, as I simply interpret it, that which is near and dear.
This is the second draft. The teacher Donald Revell and my remarkably talented classmates provided plenty of feedback, a lot of which I incorporated into the poem.
Breaking and Entering
Standing on the sidewalk
Screaming
Half English, half Farsi
Her refuge
Shattered
Interior lights on
Porch light off
The door splintered and ajar
Faceplate and screws
Sprawled across the floor
The scene is secured
Doors and drawers dusted
She enters
Past a palm print black on white
In the squad car
The officer asks questions
Despondent she responds
He pecks an antiquated computer
While reading aloud
“The victim stated that the jewelry
Was given to her
By her grandmother in Iran”
They leave us alone
Noticing a painting
She no longer likes
She observes
They never take what you want them to
With ink-stained hands
We push the suddenly mobile
Media center
Against the door
Drag the mattress into the living room
Everyone’s a suspect
The neighbor, the FedEx guy, the security guard
Finally a kiss good night
Then with all the lights on
We lie down and act like we’re asleep

On the death of an old friend

As some of you know, my first (and only) fulltime journalism job was with Las Vegas CityLife. After freelancing for the well-rounded alt-weekly for two years, I was hired as a staff writer in early 2000.  I spent eight years at the paper, including three as managing editor, and it proved to be an amazing and defining experience.
Sadly, CityLife  recently stopped publishing. I don’t have the time or inclination to perform a proper autopsy (I’m teaching, taking graduate courses, freelancing, etc., and, over the past several years, I lost touch with the paper), but several other people have weighed in on its demise. Here are four pieces on the subject, three of which include my thoughts or info about my time there. If you only read one of them, I highly recommend the last link (a meditative, metaphoric column by Chip Mosher that doesn’t directly mention the paper’s passing).

‘Dr. Phil’

Apparently, the full episodes of the “Dr. Phil” shows are not available online. However, they did post summaries of the shows on the official website. This first one (below) focuses on the tunnels and a couple’s life down there. The second focuses on the woman, Cyndi, and her four daughters, as they reunite in the studio.
I still have not seen the episodes, but, judging by the summaries, they’re pretty moving. Here you go:

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who bought my book Beneath the Neon today (after it was featured on “Dr. Phil”). It’s currently the third-best-selling “Travel Writing” book on Amazon.com, behind Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

The seedy side of Vegas

I’m working with a British TV program that will be in town from mid-July to early August. They’re interested in the seedier side of Las Vegas—drugs, prostitution, homelessness, etc.—and stories related to the economy. For example, the costumed characters on the Strip and Fremont Street or squatters in foreclosed homes. They’re also interested in meeting unique Vegas characters who can serve as guides (e.g., Oscar Goodman to introduce the city or Linda Lera-Randle El to introduce the world of the homeless). While the show may sound dark, it also hopes to highlight success stories and people who are trying to make a difference in the community.
If you have any story ideas or character suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

Family Connect

A notice from the Nevada Homeless Alliance:
Family Connect is an annual resource fair for homeless or low-income families living in Southern Nevada. The 2013 event, scheduled for May 15th at the East Las Vegas Community Senior Center, will see upwards of 300 families with children, and include the participation of over 50 service organizations. Prior to exiting the event, each family is escorted through the Giveaways Section to obtain food and personal care items that may be difficult for them to obtain without assistance. Please see below list of items needed for this section. All items should be new or gently used only.
Children’s summer clothing, hats and shoes
Adult’s summer clothing, hats and shoes
Toys
Packaged Underwear
Blankets/sheets/comforters
First Aid Kits
Diapers/formula
Canned food
Bus Tickets-Day Use for RTC buses
Shampoos/Conditioners
Brushes/Combs
Soaps/Hand Sanitizers
Toothbrushes/Toothpastes
Feminine Hygiene
Sun Screen/Lotion
Please contact Michele Smith for drop-off and pick-up information. Email: fortheleastofthese@cox.net Phone: 702-324-6850.
*Please allow 24 hours for a return call or email
**Contributions to the Nevada Homeless Alliance are tax deductible as provided by law. If you have any questions about the value of your contribution, kindly contact your tax advisor. For donation receipts, please contact Stacy Sutton with the Nevada Homeless Alliance at NHAvoice@aol.com, or by calling 702-743-1487.

Nevada Homeless Alliance

I was recently named a board member of the Nevada Homeless Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless by creating partnerships and promoting collaboration between service providers. My responsibilities include making sure the NHA remains focused on its mission, serving as an ambassador for the nonprofit and the homeless, and raising funds and awareness. Of course, I’m particularly interested in helping the people in the underground flood channels.
A lot of you have expressed interest in helping the hundreds of people in the tunnels and the thousands of other homeless in the valley. In this new role, I should have more answers, suggestions and opportunities for you.
Stay tuned!