Sprout

The hushed news of winter's end
will not reach the earth in time
to speed the patterns of change.
Damp and capable, the first days
of spring chill the ground, the birds
and the heart. The lustful
frost returns, unexpected, tricking
the panicky bud who peeps
through plotted soil, skinny
wholehearted, and fearless,
until the sun eases out again
with its adorned messages
as bright and sweet as ripe honeycomb.

-Amy Nawrocki

Originally published in Slow Trains Literary Journal, 6.2

Travel and Adventure

My Literature of Travel and Adventure class heading out onto Fayerweather Island. It's a lesson in how travel and even adventure starts right at home. We found the tracks of raccoons and cats, and evidence of deer.

"The sea is a treacherous friend." - Catherine Moore, lighthouse keeper for 61 years, and most famous resident of Fayerweather Island.

Women's History Month

Just a little reminder of what sort of nonsense women have had to go through to gain the rights of human beings. Of course, I like how suffrage would "double the irresponsible vote." Think about it.

The struggle goes on throughout the world today.

In other news, the strongest woman I know, my wife, will be giving a reading next Sunday, April 5, at the Newtown Library. Copies of her book, Potato Eaters, will be available and refreshments will be served. See you there!

French Fare in Bridgeport

Once in a while I'd like to include a place that I have found in my travels that I really love. Here's one:



The Escargots Bourguignonne were full of garlic-butter goodness, the cheese and charcuterie plates are divine, and the steak au poivre is no slouch either. I couldn't even make it to their mouth-watering desserts...

211 State Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Be there.

April 20th Will Be Here Soon

I'll post more reminders. But here is the poster in the window of the Barnum Museum announcing the official release party on April 20, 6:30 pm.

Shipping Now!

Apparently my book is now shipping from Amazon and related outlets today. Reports are flooding in...

I'll try to have some reviews up soon.

Emily Dickinson Lives

My wife, poet Amy Nawrocki, giving a lecture on Emily Dickinson at the Barnum Museum.

Twas a lovely afternoon of tea and talk.

The Grave of Tom Thumb

The magnificent gravestone of Charles Stratton, better known as Tom Thumb, Mountain Grove Cemetery, October 2008.

Press Alert

I'm on the UB front page today, here.

"A skilled storyteller with a keen eye for riveting anecdotes, Lehman writes about subjects whose audacious creativity, bravery, and ingenuity left marks, not only on Bridgeport, but on communities far beyond."
- Leslie Geary, University of Bridgeport

Umbrella

Check out my new book review at the popular internet journal Umbrella.

Into my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?

That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

- A.E. Housman

Reeds at Sunset

Is this Cape Cod? The Outer Banks of North Carolina?

Nope, it's Bridgeport.

Historic Ladies: Two Lectures and Tea

My wife, poet Amy Nawrocki, will be giving a program at the Barnum Museum on Emily Dickinson Sunday March 22 at 2:00. Please come by and support the museum and enjoy tea and crumpets.

Okay, I can't guarantee the crumpets.

New publication

Check out my new review of Jack Kerouac's book Vanity of Duluoz at Empty Mirror Books.