Just some bullet points since people don't read myspace as much as they used to:

-I am engaged.  Rich (AKA Mr. Villar) put a ring on it.  We have not set a date, and I like Rich's version of the engagement story, which is complete with him getting on one knee in the post-work Friday Newark Penn Station crowd with the ring in hand.  I did not think this would happen, but I am happy it did. 

-Plans are underway for my book Arc and Hue to debut in Fall 2009.  Some great poets have offered to blurb my book, and Afaa Michael Weaver will be writing the Foreword.  An amazing Chicago artist and educator Makeba Kedem-Dubose will be contributing the cover art.  I'd like to thank everyone who has been encouraging me throughout this process, and helped me believe that there is more to come.

-One of my poems-"Jena, Louisiana"- is in the debut issue of Aunt Chloe, a literary journal put out by Spelman College and edited by Kyla Marshell.  The other publication that I'm extremely excited about is three poems in the latest issue of Black Renaissance Noire edited by Quincy Troupe.  Two of those poems, as well as "Jena, Louisiana", will be in Arc and Hue.

-Other good news, I am getting ready to enjoy my summer so I have to grade papers.   I'm also finishing the second of two short writer's residencies in the Bronx.  I love teaching these kinds of workshops. So much thanks to Ebony Golden for inviting me and sharing the amazing space she's created for the young people in her class.  Shout out to Lakim, Njejeh, Gina, Jennifer, Khadijah, Ariel (who is always smiling), Nita, Camil, Jarvis, Pedro and Day.  Please forgive me if I misspelled someone's name. 

The best news-the weather is getting nice out again.  YAY!