The Poetry Workshop Critiques our Anniversary Poem from the Perspective of Craft

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

I The class sits in a circle. Each day, two poets share. Todayis my turn. Last week we read Olds, Addonizio. It’sa unit on femininity, loss, rage. We’ve traced the lineageall the way back to Plath, and then even further. I’ve just finished reading. No one’s talking. Whowill break the silence. Perhaps the instructor—two books… Continue reading The Poetry Workshop Critiques our Anniversary Poem from the Perspective of Craft

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Embalmed

February 8, 2023 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

I pause for a cigarette. There’s a church on the corner.The air is frigid – twenty. I haven’t been outsidein two weeks. Been working from home, shopping from home,living from home. The dogs love it. I’m sickof cooking. Nutrients, calories. A big waste of time. The wind keeps blowing out the flame. It’s a cheap… Continue reading Embalmed

Literature

It goes straight to voicemail

April 14, 2021 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

When he’s asked how his mother’s doing, he is remindedof the vinegar she used to scrub the lice out of his hair at age sixand how now dill pickles burn his mouth. When his fiancefirst asked him how he learned to cook he said he taught himself,but really it was the EBT and trips to… Continue reading It goes straight to voicemail

Literature

The fridge has an ice maker

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

The noise in the backyard hurts. Yuki is digging in the dirt, pullingat the vines with her teeth. Her entire family beside her, Erica gardening beside me. And I am counting the birdsongs, one for each corpse since quarantine.One hundred ninety thousand gorgeous songs. I can’t stop picturingthe notes hanging from the treble clef. I sip the iced lemonade my neighbor’s child… Continue reading The fridge has an ice maker

misc

This Won’t Ever Be Over

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

A common sentiment of the moment is: “When this is all over.” When this is all over… Let’s go to Disneyland. Let’s catch a Clippers game. Let’s get married. But for half of all Americans, this won’t ever be over. For one thing, 23% [1] of Americans are school-aged (<18). Those students have already lost… Continue reading This Won’t Ever Be Over

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School Suspended for One Month Upon Realization Average Student Hasn’t Studied Abroad in Western Europe

March 15, 2020March 15, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

ILLINOIS–After learning that the average Illinois student has not gallivanted across Western Europe with their friends while drinking as much beer and wine as possible, Governor JB Pritzker has suspended school for one month across the state of Illinois. “It’s an outrage,” cried Pritzker. “Every child deserves an opportunity to experience another culture. Especially when… Continue reading School Suspended for One Month Upon Realization Average Student Hasn’t Studied Abroad in Western Europe

Literature

Sleep apnea

February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

what if my nightmares are all really happy like what if they’re full of colorful parrot birds who speak perfect English and tell me exactly what they want they say Hey can you cut me a piece of melon? there is no honeydew in sight dreams are strange things it’s sunny outside the sea air… Continue reading Sleep apnea

Literature

RE: the pt.

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

beginning to relish television it cuts out the boring parts all the parts are boring the last time i woke up was a while ago none of that poshness the formula is getting up and going to sleep there’s some middle but no rising action no climax none of that plotting stuff i live in… Continue reading RE: the pt.

Literature

My relatives call me provincial

February 13, 2020February 15, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

because all of us are broke & 2 pm tuesday afternoon is the time i see my friends most often. i like it this way i like drinking beer with raf at 4 pm on a thursday i relish cigarettes with trent on the picnic table in chandler park we ash them and talk about… Continue reading My relatives call me provincial

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Andy Reid Celebrates Super Bowl LIV Victory by Eating Vince Lombardi Trophy

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 jonnaskrentLeave a comment

MIAMI—In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory since 1969, head coach Andy Reid was discovered Tuesday morning consuming the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the commemorative award that each championship-winning team has proudly held before a national audience since 1967. “I couldn’t be more proud of the guys,” said Reid. “They really… Continue reading Andy Reid Celebrates Super Bowl LIV Victory by Eating Vince Lombardi Trophy

Jon Naskrent Blog

Author: jonnaskrent

The Poetry Workshop Critiques our Anniversary Poem from the Perspective of Craft

Embalmed

It goes straight to voicemail

The fridge has an ice maker

This Won’t Ever Be Over

School Suspended for One Month Upon Realization Average Student Hasn’t Studied Abroad in Western Europe

Sleep apnea

RE: the pt.

My relatives call me provincial

Andy Reid Celebrates Super Bowl LIV Victory by Eating Vince Lombardi Trophy