William Stobb

is probably dead now and there wouldn't be any record. I don't even know his last name. The last time I lived in Grand Forks, he was sleeping in the basement of the science building at the university--there was a little side door down a ramp and he'd figured how to disable the lock and he'd just slide in there at night, pretty late usually because he'd be out 'til bar time playing pool. This is why I thought of him, because just today Sean Thomas Dougherty's anthology of writing about pool came out-- Double Kiss , it's called , and when I saw the post for it, I remembered this guy Tom. We were friends for about six months, I guess, through one winter. He was homeless in Grand Forks in the winter , which can not be a ton of fun. I mean, one time they canceled classes there because it was going to be 60 below zero--minus 100 with wind chill. Not a place where you could find a park bench or a little spot by the river. I know he was a big time drunk, moreso ...

2017-2018 Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Karla Huston, lives in Appleton, Wisconsin. Huston’s poems find their roots in the stories people tell—those memories and perceptions, personal and cultural mythologies which define us as human. From ancient Greek gods to Hollywood movie stars, Huston’s poems explore a wide variety of subjects, but frequently return to topics related to aging and women. The author of eight chapbooks of poems, the latest  Grief Bone , (Five Oaks Press), and a full collection  A Theory of Lipstick  (Main Street Rag Publications), Huston’s work has garnered many awards, including a Pushcart Prize for the poem “Theory of Lipstick.” She received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association for her collection of the same title .  Her writing has earned residencies at Ragdale Foundation as well as the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. Her chapbook,  Flight Patterns  won the Main Street Rag Chapbook Contest in 20...