Traveling at Home

David’s second obsessive review of Illinois poetry introduces us to Illinois Voices.

David takes a look back at the classic Spoon River Anthology.

Dave learns that the Green Mountains are green, but the Vermillion River isn’t red.

David crushes some lilacs, pulls up a few weeds and summons Eliot.

David Wright duels with nature and the idea of Nature, ending up with dirty hands and wilted basil.

David Wright discovers five toilets in a field, and ponders what it all means.

How do you eat in place? David Wright considers the Obamas’ new garden and Michael Pollan’s manifeso for eaters.

Champaign may refresh itself with a transient population, but moving just makes David Wright, and his friends, tired.

In his first column for Smile Politely, David Wright ponders sticking around in one place long enough to truly get to know it.