When the Weebly and the WiFi Are So Slow You Want to Cry

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/when-the-weebly-and-the-wifi-are-so-slow-you-want-to-cryfir

I Had an Aha, a Rare Aha

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/i-had-an-aha-a-rare-aha

I Showed Up and So Did My Writing Energy

http://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/i-showed-up-and-so-did-my-writing-energy

Cross Post: It's O.K. To Be Shitty, First Draft (More of The Harvest)

Editorial toilet paper is coming soon.  Actually, I clean up a lot of shit on my own, but I can't wait to finish this full draft, so I an tear it up and reconstruct it and agonize about that process.

I'm so lucky this doesn't have to put food on the table.

Anyway, I went over some sections and added another page.  I'm taking it page by page.  I'm at 150 double spaced pages.  Yay!  You can read the ongoing draft, here:  The Harvest.

Stop judging your first drafts.  #Resist.

Cross Post: Almost 100% Happy with My New Poem: “True Faith in Unity” Posted

I have a poetry reading with 100 Poets for Change tonight at 7p.m.:
Red Rover Reading Series Outer Space Studio: 1474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622.

It's my first time reading in this studio and by some macabre twist of fate, I fucked up my knee at the yoga studio on Thursday trying to get into an uncompromising pigeon pose.  The venue is three flights up, but I am still going and taking my son.  I will just do some poetic penance on the way up for procrastinating on the poem.

Anyway, I was going to read two pieces, starting with the first narrative poem I published "Jesucristo Santificanos", but the reading is only three minutes long.

I wrote a whole new piece:  “True Faith in Unity”.  You see, the theme is "Sign of the Times" www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EdxM72EZ94 by Prince, which is a bitter sweet sad song.  If you haven't heard it, the song is deep.  With Trump in office, I am sure many poets will focus on the Trump-post apocalypse.  I decided to focus on hope and vision.

My son is going to help me perform a small part of it from the audience because I included my children and their voices in it. 

Way below is the draft.  I will post it in the Poetry Section when I am done tinkering with it.  Wish me luck!

Oh wait, I was watching Ted Talks to inspire me.  And I caught this good one on writing daemons by Elizabeth Gilbert.  Yes, I read the book:  www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius

She talks about the writing daemon, and frankly my writing daemon, I hope you get off your ass and come back.  I will start showing up to work on my novel and whatever other creative project needs to be done daily.  Let's work together again, but don't clutter my mind with bullshit.  (Watch the video and that rant will make more sense.)

Reinvigorate your writing daemon without booze.  #Resist
=============

“True Faith in Unity”

by Dr. Maria J. Estrada

People say those in power will always eat a gluttonous feast of misery and profit.

The poor will always get poorer.

            They will be with us in the shanties of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora

Where indias sell harsh mint chicles and Spiderman keychains to American tourists.

           

            In the Gaslight District of San Diego, Califas

Bleeding cardboard casitas and moldy sleeping bags of shame flap in the dry wind street

by street

by street. 

Under Chicago’s viaducts, drivers sometimes share a look of meaningful sadness—between texts—maybe throw pocket change at single mother and prisoner toddler, in her tent. 

The rich will forever gorge on the fruits of that Puritan zeal, anointed by years of

Colonization,

Slavery,

Repression,

Racism,

Misogony, for money

tu bien sabes.

Y toda mi pobre gente?  [ME1] 

Que se chinguen! 

Dreamers?  Que se chinguen! 

In fact, already rounding up criminals forever nationally tattooed gangeros. 

Unions preaching that loving proletarian-arm in-arm, solidarity forever?

 Que se chinguen!

Y Texas, Florida, Mexico,

Puerto Rico,

            Devastated, starving

            Commonwealth like Colony.  Like a Tourist Hacienda.

            You asking for some sustenance?  Quieren pan?

           

            Necesitas agua?  Some Aquafina in crystalline bottles?

            Te hace falta la luz for the hospital?  Para vivir?

Pues Amen.

I look to my children, who fill me with so much esperanza, [ME2] and I a wonder at their different celestial dreams.

Seven year old son, prays every day, “Dear God, Please make Trump a better man.”

My heart laughs amazed at his Faith.

My two year old hijita so sweet, powerfully determined prays, for her friends, the scared,

Los zoo animals, her light-up shoes. 

She knows nothing of Twitter terrorist threats, fake nuclear news against North Korea, China,

the selected Middle East.

Against You.   

Sure,

Let’s pray for our enemies.

Let’s also pray for what could be

That Unity

           

Where the abundance that is now

            The technological splendor that is now

            Will be shared gratis y sin verguenza.

                        Unashamed and free for all to have

            And my children and your children and

We

           

            —We won’t have to pray for their scraps anymore.    

---

 [ME1]Circle arm motion to include all.

 [ME2]Point at Antonio.

Cross Post: Grading and Plotting Future Writing Projects

I took that great shot at the Chicago Cultural Center, where I am currently sitting and grading papers.  So, as you my have noticed I haven't posted for a while.  Unfortunately, I have been busy NOT working on my novel.  I forgot how intense summer school can be, but my students are amazing.  I spend most of my time grading and writing grievances for my union members.

Still, I have been thinking about the ending of the current novel I am writing, The Harvest, and a sequel where the androids play a greater role, but one step at a time.  The glimmer of hope is what has me captivated.  There will be hope in my novel because the characters will grow in that direction.

On a practical note, I think from now on, I am going to come to the Chicago Cultural Center to write because it's relatively quiet and close to work.  (Of course, as I finish this entry, someone is practicing her singing, and it is gorgeous.  I think singers come here for the acoustics.  How wonderful!)

Here is to finding quite places and spaces to write.  #Resist

Cross Post: The Android Are Coming and More of the Harvest Draft

I was watching the news the other day, and they announced the robot priest/pastor.  It can have the voice of a woman or man, and it can bless you with the light of its arms.  Think I'm joking?  Think again.  http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a26698/germany-robot-priest/

I told some friends about this news report on WGN, and they thought I was joking.  Food for thought, pastors and priests.  The robots are coming for your jobs, too.  Anyway, on that happy cyber-note, back to my writing.

This morning, I finally spent a few hours working on my novel.  It had been a while since I woke up at 2a.m. to write, mostly because I was tired from teaching.  In fact, I thought the writing itch was dissipating, and it was.  Ergo, I read a lot of literature.  But, I started teaching the summer term yesterday, and I am back to waking up with the drive to write.  Of course the teenagers listening to loud assed movies at 2a.m. helped, and also, my brain is trying to solve union problems.  Nothing like a little problem solving to get the brain-engine going.

Today, I developed the character of 147-Paul a little more.  He will play a larger role with Alan and his new mother, who I am not naming yet.  In fact, I may not until something happens in the plot, which I won't reveal until the end.  She needs to remain anonymous because she is going against the state.  Enough of her.

I have big plans for the androids in the revolutionary process.  In fact, my goal is the humanize the androids, while the women in this setting are losing their humanity with every mod and upgrade.  (And I can't wait to see the Blade Runner sequel!)

Here's a bit more of The Harvest:  A Novel.

Resist the robots if they don't serve us, the people!