The National Spelling Bee…
Host: “The word is galliambic.”
Katherine: “galliambic- g a l l i a m b i c”
Host: “Correct.”
Host: “The word is tlamatine.”
Nathan: “Tlamatine. t l a m a t i n e.”
Host: “Correct.”
Host: “The word is hamburger.”
45: “Hamburger. h a m b e r d e r.”
Buzzzzzzzzz
Host: “I’m sorry; it’s spelled h a m b u r g e r.”
45: “Once again, FAKE SPELLING.”
After Talking It Over
She says, “Why not?” Says,
“Corn chips, a long walk, maybe
a new dog, a mutt, half beagle or
one-third collie, one that will sit
on our laps when we watch
the worst shows on TV.” I think
TV, but know the shows will
turn into another movie or
a report on raising taxes to build
a dam in Idaho. Sixth grade
was not this frightening, but came
close. Mrs. Kendelton held spelling
bees every Friday afternoon. We’d
stand in a line along the blackboard
in the order we finished the last time.
She kept a record. We spelled
antelope, nuclear, satellite, creche.
Winners got chopsticks. Amy
Witherspoon finished elementary
school with 27 sets. Losers sat
with their knees pressing against
the bottoms of their desks. This
place is filled with winter. Winter
makes you think about your head, keeps
your mind on the road, roof, the dog
being outside. You have to know how
to spell rock salt, shovel, scarf.
–Jack Ridl
from Practicing to Walk Like a Heron (Wayne State University Press)
Next Thursday: D.R. James, Katie Kalisz, and Greg Rappleye will be reading from their new collections at The Bookman, 715 Washington Avenue in Grand Haven, 7pm.
AND
On January 29 at 7pm, the Hope College Visiting Writers Series will host a reading by Sophfronia Scott in the John and Dede Howard Recital Hall located in the Jack H. Miller Center
AND
Today is the birthday of William Stafford. I remember him every day as I sit down to write, kept good company by this poem he wrote at our first house, about our first dog.
On April 1 (perfect!) (yipes, just 2.5 months away) my new book, St. Peter and the Goldfinch, will be released by Wayne State University Press. Preordering is up at that link, and Julie says stay tuned for news of a PARTY!
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Visit Reader’s World in Holland, The Bookman in Grand Haven, and The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague to find Jack’s books in West Michigan.
Click here to subscribe to receive Jack’s poems and news in your inbox.
Click here for Jack’s entire collection, In Time — poems for the current administration.
RIDL.COM 
“This place is filled with winter” in all its layered meaning. Thank you, Jack. Since the Right started calling the Left snowflakes I’ve used the mantra from GAME OF THRONES as my own internal mantra. It helps to live in Montana.
Oh my yes,it would certainly help to live in Montana.
“Layered meaning” Beautiful, so beautiful.
Hold fast to that mantra!!!!!
Hugs
Love this poem – I was immediately in the 4th grade again. Also appreciate you sharing the poem from your friend. What a gift. If only we could hear and see what an animal does – even for a brief moment – I wonder, I ponder, maybe words will come.
Thank you, my friend. Kathleen
Not a day goes by that I don’t sit with our dogs and cat and wonder, wonder, wonder what their world truly is.
I’m grateful that you love the poem. Thanks so much for telling me it took you back to fourth grade. A poem
should most of the time take the reader somewhere personal.
Ahhhhh yes, Bill Stafford. When asked about writer’s block, he always responded, “Lower your standards.”
Hugs
Jack, thanks for this fairly well spelled poem. (You may stay standing, or not.) And thanks for the good ink about our reading next week. drj
Yis, I tryed to get the spilling jush riit.
And you are most welcome for the plug about the reeeeeding.
Thank you, Jack! I just laughed out loud in front of my students, reading that Trump joke. The poem, too, made me smile and remember. Thanks for blessing my Thursday, Mark
I hear that laugh, Mark. And man am I glad to hear it. You sure
need and deserve a laugh.
Ahhhh yes, don’t ya love it when a poem can make you smile and remember!!!!
On we go, Friend.
Happy birthday, William Stafford – and what an amazing memento to have in your home! I’ve been a fan ever since I read “You reading this, be ready”.
I can’t imagine having a finer poet by your side. That’s what Bill’s poems
create–connection, a being with. How lucky I was to have him as a mentor.
His solution to writer’s block—-“Lower your standards.”
Peace
Yes!
!!!!
I love this Jack. Thank you.
Thank you, Linda. When one says they love something, it goes way beyond
evaluating and into something was touched that matters. What a mystery that is.
Thank YOU for telling me.
Hugs
Perfect way to wake-up on a blustery winter morning! Love to you & Julie – Susan
It’s my version of Bohemian Rhapsody! : )
Yeah had a Betsy chat this morning.
And it really does mean so much what you say about waking up.
It ain’t always easy, waking into another day. I’m really
grateful you told me. And as always, thanks for being
so good to Betsy.’
Hugs!
Oh Jack – what a pair you two were …Stafford and you – cut rom the same cloth.
>
I am so glad for this message, dear Friend. That you feel this
means so so soooo much. Wasn’t I ever lucky to have him come
into my days. And stay.
Like you have!!
Hugs!
Two great poems for the price of one!
I THANK YOU! BILL THANKS YOU! WE THANK YOU! AND IT’S SNOWING UP HERE!!
Your sister says, “Brrrrrrrr!”
Hugs
I went down in 6th grade on “unusually.” Your poems make everything better.
I was the first to go down in the bee that would send ya to the national.
In Pittsburgh your word is spelled unuselly
Thanks for the poem. Never made it beyond the fiest roun, still can’t. That’s wy I turned to painting.
I just pult myself up off the floor : )
Love this, Jack! And what a tribute from William Stafford. I wrote about Kim Stafford in a guest post on Kathy Temean’s website a bit ago. We must be channeling them! I hope you are much warmer than we are, here in Lansing. I’m not usually chilly, but wore my coat indoors at work today! Blessings to you and Julie and the furry crew!
Love, Beth