In the Belly of the Albatross

Hey, look! I have a book. It took me only thirteen years to get a book published, so I'm a little bit excited. If you order it from the publisher (fabulous Glass Lyre Press) by Nov. 14, you don't have pay for shipping.

Want to know more before committing?

In these moving poems, many of them dramatic monologues spoken by women, Patricia Caspers conjures up the lives of historical individuals—a black slave midwife who “[gives] Justice her dowry,” Amelia Earhart’s mother, waiting hopefully for her daughter’s return. And she reimagines the figures of Greek and Hebrew legend—the Gorgon who begs for “the gift of monstrosity,” the biblical Ruth, revealing a sensuality the Bible does not allow her. She also draws on her own experiences as girl, woman, wife and mother. Alive to possibility, the speakers of her poems are characterized by their energetic response to setbacks.“Tear apart the cosmos,” says a wife to her husband. “Let there be a new kind of light.” Patricia Caspers' poems flourish and grow by turning themselves undaunted to the light. —Chana Bloch, author of Swimming in the Rain: New and Selected Poems


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I have a few readings coming up, too. Here are the details:

1. My official book release! 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 at Valona Deli, 1323 Pomona Street, Crockett.

2. My Auburn book release: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11 at General Gomez Arts and Events Center. Open mic follows. Donations for Stand Up Placer will be gratefully accepted.

3. I'll be reading with Annie Stenzel and Katherine Case at the Coffeebar in Truckee, 6:30 p.m., Sunday Nov. 15.

I'll also be reading with Julia Park Tracey at Frank Bette's in Alameda in January. Details forthcoming.

I hope to see you there!