I Believe In Pittsburgh

/

Hi Friends,

The end of summer is already in sight. How can that be? Wishing you all hearty final weeks of summer.

Sharing something I’ve rediscovered from a bit ago and about the city I love.

Until next time,
Judy

• • •

I believe in Pittsburgh.

I do! I believe in the specialness of the city of my birth, the city where I have spent my entire life—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And I’ve done plenty of soul-searching about it: is it my illusion that this city is in any way unique, or better, or more anything than any place else? Does it seem this way to me because it’s my hometown? Am I rationalizing because I am stuck here? Or do I just not know any better?

My old friend, poet Gerald Stern, another hometowner, called it “beautiful, filthy Pittsburgh,” and I thank him for the “beautiful,” but let’s face it, Gerry, the “filthy” designation applied long, long ago, when you were a boy. As I am not a kid anymore, either, I too remember when the Mon was coal-colored and putrid but I contend that the reasons for the dirtiness are part of what’s special, part of the uniqueness, part of the legacy.

So what am I talking about? A complex of factors, really, a coming together of history and geography and topography, in a way that favored the the most essential element in the mix–the people who built and lived and still live in this town. Pittsburghers.

And just to keep my credibility, I hasten to add that my city is not perfect: I note that sometimes there is less architectural integrity in evidence here than there should be. There are many examples. The corner of Fifth and Bellefield is hideous, due to a lack of taste and/or planning. So are some of our roadways. Routes 30 and 51 come to mind. We should not have lost the Syria Mosque. Nor should we have lost the Civic Arena, an iconic structure and part of our skyline, to the forces of political/economic/sports cronyism. I believe my Pittsburgh should have been better than that. I comfort myself with the realization that those responsible and benefitting from the destruction will also be remembered for it–their legacy will be that they destroyed the Civic Arena.

There are also problems here in education and transit, for example, but enough criticism. I love this city, with many good reasons…

Where else can a stranger stop and ask directions, and be escorted where he or she needs to go?

What other shot-and-a-beer town can claim one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras?

What other hard working people dug in and created the armaments that were a decisive element in winning World War 11?

What other city has a history of dynastic families who took, and prospered–but then generously gave back—-so much?

Where else can you become such an excellent driver? By learning to drive in Pittsburgh, you master hills, curves, ice and snow, and pothole dodging. You are set up to be able to drive anywhere.

In the 60’s, the tough years of civil rights and anti-war protest, Pittsburgh, unlike Detroit or Watts or Newark, was not burned down. Again, we are certainly not perfect, but I believe that among Pittsburghers there is a higher degree of civility, less tension, and more sincere respect for the rights and dignity of one another than exists in other places.

One of our newspapers, in addition to publishing poetry, has a feaure called “random acts of kindness.”

Yes, Pittsburghers are kind, friendly people.

And…

What other town saw the catastrophe of the collapse of its main industry, and a profound diminishing of population as a result, and followed it up with a vigorous reinvention of itself?

We are home to lively communities of artists, poets, musicians, thespians; we are home to great sports teams and ethnic neighborhoods and universities, theaters and restaurants and museums and libraries.

In the foreword to “Along These Rivers,” a collection of poetry and photography from Pittsburgh, which I co-edited with Michael Wurster in honor of the 250th anniversary of our city, I wrote:

“We know that our region has been blessed with 250 exciting years of history—it is a fact that the history of Pittsburgh profoundly parallels and intersects with so much of the history of America—as well as a richly realized, unique cultural heritage. We are a center of higher learning, as well as a place of ethnic diversity and great energy. Surrounded by rolling hills and filled with interesting culturally diverse neighborhoods, rivers and bridges, we can also lay claim to one of this country’s most beautiful skylines.

We share such abundant blessings in this nurturing little city, not the least of which is our community of artists.”

That was what I wrote then, in 2008. Rereading this, I think I may have written yet another Valentine; well, I suppose that’s what love will do.

Summer Annoucements

/
 

Hi Friends,

Wishing you a happy summer.

Some news and notes from my desk. FIrstly, happy and proud to have been featured as part of Robert Morris University’s Rune Magazine spotlight. You can find the spotlight here on Instagram.

Also, my painting Orange Courage is featured over at Writer’s Adventure.

And finally, my painting Beach was featured on Persimmon Tree and alongside Saint Natalie of the Too Soon Departed by Terri Watrous Berry.

Sending care until next time,
Judy

New Poem, Rage

/

Hi Friends,

I have a new poem entitled Rage that is published on Mike Maggio’s website. The poem is in response to the events of October 7.

Judy

Rage

(in remembrance of the October 7 Massacre)

It disturbs, this slanting light
yellow & rapturous
and once a part of promise.

Mocking now, and strange
these sighing palms
that stirred with expectation.

How like betrayal
the stillness of desert flowers
quiet, beautiful, unfaded.

I was not an alien here.
I was as one with the light
the palms, the cactus.

Why did the earth I loved
not cry out for me
as my life’s blood
was sought
and taken.

New Poem, Black Scar, at Vox Publica

/

Hi Friends,

I have a new poem entitled Black Scar that is up at Vox Publica. You can see it on their site here, or read down below.

Until soon,
Judy

BLACK SCAR

Scar black scar

the artist’s long

black scar

symbol

in the earth

of the rip

in the body human

payment

in flesh all wars

are economic

the cost

charged the poor

black

the blood of Danny

long since

blackened

dried and caked

oh Danny boy

who is no more

he whom I loved

and he whom they loved

the Ebert’s older son

remember him

he played a drum

the paper boy on Linden

Painting and Poem Part of October 27 Archive

/

Friends,

A painting and poem of mine are now included in the October 27 Archive, which documents the local and global impact of the October 27, 2018 attack against three Jewish congregations housed together within a synagogue building in Pittsburgh. It is a living repository, ever-growing to include voices from all over the world bound together in community.

Below is copy from the site which speaks to the work I produced:

Shortly after the October 27 attack, she wrote a memorial poem and accompanying painting for the victims titled, "El Kiddush Hashem; a prayer more than a poem." The painting and the poem later became the centerpiece of an exhibit titled "The Numbers Keep Changing," held at the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh from April 9 through June 24, 2019. The title of the exhibit referred to ongoing discoveries of new victims of the Holocaust, pushing the number of total victims above the long-established total of 6 million.

You can see the work on the site here. And please explore the link above to see all the important work included in the archive to commemorate all that was lost on that truly sad and horrific day.

Yours,
Judy

I Apologize

/

Hi Friends,

It’s been a moment and it’s Fall already. Hope you had nice summers and wishing you good things for the season ahead. In the meantime, my poem, I Apologize, is up at Vox Populi. You can read it here and down below. The poem was first published in 5AM and won the 2011 Reuben Rose Award from Voices Israel.

Until next time…

• • •

I Apologize

to my precious elders;
the valuable ones, 
those thick-fleshed
indestructible Jews
I have known, 
those who 
endured; those who
had the clenched tooth
grit to flee before 
the ovens were lit, 
those –bergs and –steins
and –skis 
those tailors artists bakers
peddlers scholars music-makers
who did not become the incinerated trash of Europe:
My own people, once stalwart as the stars, 
must now weep as we, their stunning progeny,
disappear like shadows 
into the cracked cement of sweet America
our brainless heads sucked under the white foam,
merging, whistling, forgetting, drowning, dancing,
no lessons learned, refusing to keep anything.

Poetry Reading in July

/

HI Folks,

Excited to share that I will be participating in a reading in July as part of Hemingway’s Poetry Series. I’ll be in company with some wonderful writers. Information down below and also on the Events page.

Hope you’re all having a good start to Spring. Until next time…

Judy

• • •

HEMINGWAY'S SUMMER POETRY SERIES

Week 7:
Mant¿s,
Bob Pajich,
JudithRobinson,
Meghan Tutolo
Anastasia Walker

July 26
7PM ET
@ White Whale Bookstore

For more information and to RSVP:
whitewnalebookstore.com/events

New Review at California State Poetry Society

/

Hi Friends,

Happy New Year! Sending wishes for a good year to all of you.

As 2023 begins, I wanted to share a review I did for Andrena Zawinski’s new book of poems, Born Under the Influence. The review is featured as part of California State Poetry Society’s December Poetry Letter.

You can read the review HERE, along with some other excellent, Pushcart nominated poems. And you can visit Word Poetry Books to learn more about Andrena’s book, as well as purchase it.

Sending care.
Judy

Wildflowers Cover Everything

/

Hi Friends,

Happy to report that some of my work is now up on Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh Digital Exhibits. These works, part of my solo exhibit, “The Numbers Keep Changing,” were displayed at the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh in Summer 2019, with the painting hung alongside this corresponding poem, which also functioned as the label.

See it at here and down below.

 

WILDFLOWERS COVER EVERYTHING FOR FATHER PATRICK DESBOIS*

And the priest reports
A few villagers,
Aged but still living,
Remember

The festival days.
Mozart was played.
Strudel was served.
And beer.

There will be no towers
Of shoes or dentures,
No photo galleries,
No lampshades or gold teeth.

I write this poem
And Father Desbois does what he can
To survey, to count, to record,
But they were millions.

A New Poem at Bike PGH, and More at Persimmon Tree

/

Hi Friends,

December already. Wow. Wishing you a nice final month of the year.

In the meantime, I have a poem featured on Bike PGH and also another painting featured at Persimmon Tree. You can read the poem below, see the painting above, or click links to go straight through.

Sending care.
Judy

• • •

everyone

I tell everyone to try

to take note of things

that are improvements

like soft foaming soap in a bottle

vastly sturdier tires

air in the shrunken city —

so much cleaner that men don’t

wash cars on Saturdays anymore;

everyone is wearing black

and talking on small personal phones

many are fat and no one smokes

but everyone knows the way

to stay alive is movement

dance spin run yoga make room

for those bikes but watch out —

everyone runs the red lights.

Hemingway Poetry Series — July 26

/

Hi Friends,

I’m pleased to announce that recordings are now available from the July reading which featured myself, along with the remarkable writers Joan Bauer, Scott Silsbe, Anastasia Walker, Mant¿s, Bob Pajich & Meghan Tutolo.

Follow the link here to find more information on each writers, as well as audio recordings of each reader.

Thanks for tuning in. Until next time.

xx
Judy

Intimate Interview at The Christal Ann Rice Cooper Website

/

Hi All,

I’m pleased to share with you something more than a poem or a story. Recently, I was interviewed by The Christal Ann Rice Cooper Website to speak about my poem, Now the Sadness, which concerns itself with the grief of losing my son. Never an easy topic, but I was honored to have a space to speak about my son, and also how I wrestle with his passing in my writing.

Full interview and gallery can be found here.

Until next time,
Judy