Always Something

by Jim Dodge

Always Something is a collection of poems by northern California poet, novelist, and pioneer bioregionalism advocate Jim Dodge. The poems are laced with a good dose of self-deprecating humor, poignant insight into a good long life, and a wry focus about getting older, living off the grid, and knowing one’s family, community, and place.

On Destroying My Third Refrigerator in Seven Years
by Defrosting It with a Filét Knife

True accidents are never senseless.
If nothing else, the slaughter of large appliances discourages cupidity,
And the brain-mushing pamper of convenience is surely deterred.
The gods appreciate a smile when you accept your fate:
Not every blossom becomes a peach;
So few of us reach the pure state of relentless stupidity.

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Jim Dodge is an American novelist and poet whose works combine themes of folklore and fantasy, set in a timeless present. He has published three novels, Fup, Not Fade Away and Stone Junction and a collection of poetry and prose, Rain on the River. Dodge was born in 1945 and grew up as an Air Force brat. As an adult he spent many years living on an almost self-sufficient commune in West Sonoma County, California. He has had many jobs including apple picker, a carpet layer, a teacher, a professional gambler, a shepherd, a woodcutter and an environmental restorer. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing/Poetry from the University of Iowa Writers Workshop in 1969. He has been the director of the Creative Writing program in the English Department at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California since 1995. He lives in Manila, California with his wife and son. (from Wikipedia)