Poetpal Matthue Roth waxes poetic about City Lights. I was at that Jill Corral reading, and at the trashed-getting part, where I believe Matthue even sipped my Manhattan.

posted by Celia Thursday, June 19, 2003

. . .

The Fortune Cookie Man, by Ron Padgett

Working for ten years now at the fortune cookie factory and I'm still not allowed to write
any of the fortunes. I couldn't do any worse than they do, what with their You Will Find
Success in the Entertainment Field mentality. I would like to tell someone that they will
find a gorilla in their closet, brooding darkly over the shoes. And that that gorilla will
roll his glassy, animal eyes as if to cry out to the heavens that are burning in bright
orange and red and through which violent clouds are rolling, and open his beast's mouth
and issue a whimper that will fall on the shoes like a buffing rag hot with friction. But
they say no. So if you don't find success in the entertainment field, don't blame me.
I just work here.

[via The Writer's Almanac, a daily radio spot and email newsletter, well worth subscribing.]

posted by Celia Tuesday, June 17, 2003

. . .