Promise #30: Embrace the cause. Enjoy the effect.

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I have a friend who is 138 chapbooks away from a dream.

I didn’t really think much of that at first, because—let’s face it—whether it’s chapbooks or chapped lips or chaperones there’s always something in the way of kissing a dream. That’s the beauty of having a dream: you need to work through, toward, over and around the obstacles. It makes the actual kiss so much more…meaningful.

Anywhooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Finishing Line Press agreed to publish Dawn Leas’ first book of poetry, I Know When To Keep Quiet, if she sells 206 copies by September 3^rd. At first I thought that’s not outrageous…it’s certainly doable…I’m in. Then I logged onto the publisher’s site and thought…holy shit. This is crazy. I need to help.

Dawn isn’t just buried under 138 chapbooks she’s also buried on the website.  If you clicked that link above you probably had trouble finding it yourself. Her picture, book cover and buy button is the 51^st product on the page.

When I emailed her to ask if I could tell her story here she sent me a whole bunch of links to some of the poetry. Excuse my unpoetic French but her work is unfuckingbelievable.

It’s a collection that will, line by line, transport you back to the familiarity of your own childhood, all the while questioning the power contained within every home. That’s the beauty of poetry – the place where the poet’s experiences intersect with your own.

I’ll leave you with this excerpt from NorthSouth. A poem that speaks of friendship, summer, breathless fun and common ground.

In backyard gardens we hide and seek . . . blue wisteria, full-bloom Magnolia. I climb the fence like a boy.         ready or not                 I jump                       picket catches                 my shoelace,                 and I’m falling

And then I’ll blatant ask: can you find the common ground to bring this woman one less chapbook closer to her dream? Give a little ($12 + $1 shipping). Get a ton. Know that you brought someone closer to their dream.

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Here’s a picture of the book. You’re going to need to scroll down on the page to the find it on the publisher’s site.