Matthew S. Parsons

Appalachian Music, Writing, Farming, and Family.

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

On my way to Tablerock Writers Workshop. Very thankful for the opportunity but I am going to miss the family. Love my babies.

[Joseph Fasano @Joseph_Fasano_]

Since this has people talking about Hamlet (❤️), I'll share another of my favorite student interactions regarding this play that seems to bring up all our ghosts:

A student said he wanted to "go back in time and take Shakespeare's quill so he couldn't write anything. He doesn't speak my language."

I said, "Let's sit down and talk about it."

The student said he was frustrated by his inability to express exactly what was in him, that he could never write any papers or poems or stories he was happy with, that he could never "understand literature."

"Maybe you don't need to start by understanding it," I suggested. "Maybe it already understands you."

The student shook his head. "Nah. They're just words."

"Words, words, words," I said. Then I pointed to where Hamlet says this in frustration.

The student cracked a smile. Together, slowly, we read some more of Hamlet's words:

"I do not know
Why I yet live to say, 'This thing's to do'"

"I have that within which passes show"

"in my heart there was a kind of fighting
That would not let me sleep."

After about fifteen minutes of passing the text back and forth, reading passages aloud, the student looked up and said, "That...that's how I feel."

"Write about that," I said.

His paper, which earned an A+, began, "Shakespeare speaks my language."

[Joseph Fasano @Joseph_Fasano_]

I wonder if any student will ever top this email.

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

I think the answer is obvious: Logan Cooper.

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

@fascicles Not from Snake doctor, though I have that one and it is incredible. I think this is from The Common Man.

I got to do a reading with Maurice at Carmichael's in Louisville, KY for poetry month and it was an incredible honor. He's the reason I write poetry.

I'll check those out!

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

Maurice Manning in his element. True poetry comes out funny and kind of sad.

#poetrytwitter #AuthorsOfTwitter #writerscommunity #poetrylovers
#Appalachia

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

I have been sitting in this for a minute.

Wendell Berry is a hero of mine spiritually, philosophically, agriculturally, and literarily. This event is so important in our region and I'm honored to be part of it.

#authorcommunity #wendellberry #poetry #farmers

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

I think I may have figured out an order for these poems that really works.

#poetrycommunity #books #WriterCommunity #Local

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

Some good looking kids in an old green truck. That's hard to beat.

#FarmLife #Truck #family

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

Today, I visited the site of Fort Underwood. I met the nephew of the subject of a new poem I have been writing. I went in Tark Hill Cave and was born again. The world will turn to face you.

#LocalNews #history #historicalsite #caving #exploreky #cartercountybeauty #Kentucky

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

@RA_Childers reached out to me about including my book in his syllabus for AppLit class at Berea College. I was honored. My work being taught where it was born.

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

https://t.co/nEjYxkoTbE

I had an incredible time wading the creek for this beautiful shot of one of my songs with a feller from Breathitt County now living in Morehead. It was powerful.

#livemusic #offthetrailphotography #kyparks #NatureInspired #NatureTherapy #localmusic

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

A moment of light in the presence of good people. A spiritual guide for the night. @dougvangundy

#appalachianwriters #briarsermon #hindman #troublesomecreek #writingandreading

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

Now that there is #country

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

From my poetry collection, Mountain Roosters from Pine Row Press.
Mountain Roosters https://t.co/dgzcKVDjqK
@PineRowPress #mountainroosters #JDVanceIsWeird #heaintfromhere #appalachiaproud #appalachianwritersworkshop

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

@RA_Childers You are the spitting image, man.

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

We were not sent away from eden. We simply turned our eyes... @MargaretRenkl
@HindmanSchool

#beautifulwriting #nonfiction #poetry #hindman #appalachian #appalachianwriters #appalachianwritersworkshop

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

"A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." Mark 6:4

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

BIGJEFF says his license plate. I don't want to make jokes about BIGJEFF! - @Dalai_Mama_ @HindmanSchool

#appalachianwritersworkshop #appalachianpoets #hindmanhome

[Matthew S. Parsons @MiracleMatt]

Your chances - scattered across the dead years. @Dalai_Mama_