This is the first time I’ve ever written a blog post while flying. I’m heading back to Iowa from the Tucson Festival of the Book, Nira my guide dog is stretched out at my feet. I’ve just had the obligatory can of Coke and we’re about 200 miles away from Cedar Rapids. If there’s a theme to this mid-flight post its that sometimes I feel lucky. I have had the opportunity these past two days to meet all kinds of people who love books. I met several teenagers from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. I heard some blind kids singing rock and roll. I heard my friend the poet and nonfiction writer Peggy Shumaker read alongside the poet C.K. Williams. I had dinner with many of the business leaders who helped to make this Tucson festival possible and I made many new friends. My own reading was also a Q. And A. Opportunity for people who wanted to talk about everything from assistive technology to literature and poetry to the very real posssibility that a cure for blindness may be coming in our lifetimes. It was a good journey. In the Dallas airport while riding the electric cart to my connecting flight I met my old friend and former neighbor, the poet Billy Collins who was also at the Tucson event. We had a lovely 10 minute conversation that felt richer and deeper than its duration would suggest.
The Finnish poet Pentti Saarikoski once said: “I want to be the kind of poet who can build houses for people.” As writers we hope to build communities. I was lucky these past couple of days to see many who feel the same way. Though you’d scarcely know it from watching TV news, this is still a great nation. And trust me it ain’t the Coca-Cola that put me in this state of mind. Our flight is nearing Cedar Rapids so I’m going to sign off. Let spring come with new books and fresh ideas for all who would have them.
S.K.
Planet of the Blind 