My World
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My World
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POETRY CORNER (James Magill, E-mail: Jwm2125@aol.com)
1. I am a widely published poet and a person with multiple physical disabilities.
2. In February of 2004 the "National Arts & Disability Center" (NADC) recognized my writing talents by a post on its Internet site. The NADC is a program of the Tarjan Center at the University of California, Los Angeles - Semel Institute. Its programs are supported by UCLA and federal, state and private grants and contracts. I am listed under "Literary Arts"--- Poets and Writers. *Please see "My Writer's Links" as provided below.
3. In April of 2004 the University of Toledo (Disabilities Studies Program) recognized my writing abilities by a posting at its Internet site. I am listed under "Humanities," Disabled Poet---James Magill. *Please see "My Writer's Links" as provided below.
4. In May of 2005 "VSA arts" placed a biography of me on it Artists Registry. I am listed under "Literary Arts." *Please see "My Writer's Links" as provided below.
("VSA arts" is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the inclusion of people with disabilities into the arts at large. "VSA arts" was founded in 1974 by ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. "VSA arts" and the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" (Washington, D.C.) announced their formal affiliation effective 10/3/05.)
5. In February of 2005 Temple University (Disabilities Studies Program) acknowledged the merit of my poetry by a post on its Internet site. *Click on: http://disstud.blogspot.com/2005/02/disabled-poetpa-arts-council.html
6. A number of newspapers have done stories on my poetry/life. The most recent being the "Times Leader" (Wilkes-Barre, PA, 1/12/04, Issue No. 2004-12, pages 1A & 10A). Also, a limited biography of me is available in the March 2002 print edition (Vol.13, Issue 102) of "New Mobility Magazine" ("Full Circle, page 64).
7. ALSO, in September of 2004, I was notified that I was approved to receive a grant, from the "Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Project Stream" (a Re-grant Program of the "Pennsylvania Council in the Arts"), for the grant year 2004-2005. The grant was awarded to advance/support my writing endeavors, and one of its elements was the production of a multimedia CD on my poetry/life titled "Poetic Visions and Animated Dreams."
8. In January of 2006, I was hired by the Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center (SKIL) to write poetic compositions for inclusion on its 15th anniversary calendar (year 2007). The SKIL's web site can be accessed at: http://www.skilonline.com/
9. FURTHER, I have finished a 65 page manuscript of original, and previously unpublished, poetry titled "Reflections on the Human Condition." I am currently in the process of marketing my manuscript and I am looking rather hard for a potential publisher.
ADDENDUM
I was appointed by two of Pennsylvania's former Governors (i.e, Thomas Ridge--8/19/99 and Mark Schweiker--7/12/02) to be a member of the "PA Statewide Independent Living Council" (i.e., a Governor appointed leadership organization of people with disabilities). I am honorably retired from the United States Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Prisons). I have earned both BA (1975) and MS (1982) degrees from Bloomsburg University of PA (Bloomsburg, PA). I have also lived and worked in southeastern Alaska, for parts of three years, where I was primarily employed by Sheldon Jackson College (Sitka, AK).
****Special Note
I has been invited to take part in Pennsylvania's 7th Biennial Statewide Independent Living Conference ("Our Freedom - Our Choice") to be held in Harrisburg, PA at the Hilton Hotel from 9/7/06 to 9/10/06. The conference is being planned and hosted by the "Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living
Council" (http://www.pasilc.org/). I will be taking a leading role in the "Poets Corner/Roundtable Discussions" segment of the conference. This event is being held on 9/9/06 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
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"Writer's Statement" & Selected Poems
Some of the root creative & time tested works of literature had their inspiration in the pain, hope, & suffering of experiencing life to its fullest. Much of my poetry deals with the human condition, as seen from the perspective of a person with a disabillity that began in his earlier years, & the struggles & sacrifices made to participate in the world as a contributing being. My work stretches from the often shallowness of man's heart to the absolute triumph of his spirit over obstacles both seen & unseen.
My writing hopefully provokes the reader to better understand what a person's will can overcome, create, and accomplish in the face of everyday adversity. My poetry may not always express a joyful tone, but to deny its honesty is an untruth in itself.
I believe that my poetry helps to further define the ever emerging and growing culture of people with disabilities and thus is of some significance. Further, I feel comfortable in describing much of my life as, "An Exercise in Quiet Fortitude and a Triumph of the Human Spirit."
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WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY
Regal as an eagle
Gentle as a dove,
Compassion deeper
Than any ocean
And as high as the clouds above.
Progenitors of generations
Yet to come,
Who nurse and teach
Till their days are done,
And who can deny
That the loving arms of women
Reach out---
To hold up half the sky? *
STANDING TALL
Not many bother anymore
Seldom hear that knocking at the door
Sure do miss a friendly "hello;"
Open friends sometimes close their minds.
But there's no bending of the knee
Even though these legs do so easily tire,
Because these arms are made of iron
And this chair has wheels of fire. *
NURSING HOME
Reduced to
Three drawers
And a dresser,
Could have been
Something by definition
But reduced to nothing
By the system. *
MOVING ON
Desert dancing
Somewhat west of Phoenix
Route 66 whispers
A knowing lullaby
Moonlit Texaco star sways
Not too far overhead
---Thinking only about seeing
Another day's untethered miles. *
MORNING
Sun rising up
Moon going down
Body slipping away;
It's just another crippled dawn
With such dues to pay. *
SUCH AN EVE
Torn curtain
Heat down low
Forty watt bulb
No one around
Scarf on neck
Can of soup.
Just waiting for the night
To sleep it all away. *
GOING HOME
Swim the River Jordon
Walk that Jericho Road
Climb Mount Zion
Hear the Sermon on the Mount
See the Bright Morning Star,
And break down all bondage walls
---Pass into the Kingdom's Halls. *
SHADES OF BLUE
You just had to go your lonesome way
So quiet, yet so much to say
Since you've left, I've grown so small
Both inside and out, cheap talk seems tall
To be like you, I wish that I could
Try to stand, where you once stood
But you have your ways, and I have mine
We'll meet again --- at some other time.
STREET
Weathered and forgotten man
Papered on an open bench
Moves much of his world
Pushing a rusted shopping cart
Never complains or talks too much
Counts pieces of his life in the dark
He sometimes sits and longingly waits
Often looking toward the Eastern Gate. *
SO IT GOES
If I could only get near that paradise bridge
Anyone could safely bet,
That I would find it easy
To rearrange the inevitable sunset
And even if I had the defensive heart
Of a stone gunfighter,
I'd gladly trade those ways
For some clearer days and some times that were lighter
Yet, still like most, I'll probably spend
An extended part of my designated time,
Somewhere between the pain of the trial
And the thought of the crime. *
WRITER
With the straight and narrow line,
An attempt is made to depict some better times
Often the facts don't appear as they really are,
Occasionally a cinder can become a bright and shining star
A measure of hope can make any attempt worthwhile,
Defeat becomes meaningless after so many trials.
*(Denotes material previously published on a First Rights Basis.)
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Correspondence
I would sincerely like to hear from any publisher who might have an interest in publishing a major, or a minor, segment of my work. I may be contacted via e-mail at: Jwm2125@aol.com or by the telephone at: 570-784-7377
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