Month: July 2021

Poem

mtaggartwriter10 Comments

I can’t write you into emotion and leave.

I went bald while in college.

That’s why I have a hat, I learned how
to wear it in Turners Falls

Tough people there
tough kids with bats

I was told my forehead was too big.
Wore my hat.

Backward.
Been in a few fights over that.
Sometimes I win.

Bars look funny when you’re on the inside.

It was a girl btw
who told me my forehead was too big

It’s easy to feel ugly.

-M. Taggart

Poem

mtaggartwriter40 Comments

My 90-year-old Grandmother commented
on a poem that I dedicated to my father-

She wrote,
“No comment–Not sure what to say.”

Which was brilliant.

Though my father was not her son,
she felt my agony. She knows the man
her daughter had married
and loved at one point,
is now dead.

And she is not.

I found my Grandmother’s comment
to be oddly comforting.

Above my office window, stand three letters.
I placed them

As if they don’t matter and can be
moved at any moment.
to be hidden.
Or to charm.

DAD

My son picked them out while
visiting my mother in Masshachussetts.
He painted them blue and red.

It was father’s day weekend.
We dropped Gavin off at my mother’s house.
And drove away,.

while I and Megan went to my father’s celebration of life.

I was sick that weekend. I’m not sure what it was.

But I do like looking out my office window and seeing
DAD

as I look up

-M. Taggart

I will not let you down, Gavin.

MasticadoresUSA #Interview

mtaggartwriter19 Comments

Please ‘click’ on over and check out the interview!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/masticadores-interview-matthew-taggart/

“M.- Since when do you write? Was there a specific moment that prompted you to start writing?

5th grade. In tiny hand writing. I still have the story. I begged my teacher to read it. He, Mr. Silverman, told me he needed to use a magnifying glass to read the words.”

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/masticadores-interview-matthew-taggart/

Thanks to both Juan Re Crivello, Fundador de Masticadores, and the wonderful author and editor Gabriela Marie Milton.

Have a great day!

Matt

The Stump Maker #Published

mtaggartwriter18 Comments

“Dad, does this girl have blood all over her head under that cloth stuff?”

Gavin was holding my copy of The Shadows of Blackout Island and asked if it was a scary book. I told him a little about it and he asked me to read my story, The Stump Maker, to him.

I’ve been reading a few pages a day, out loud, to Gavin. He’s five. It’s a bit much (possibly) for a five-year-old, but he loves it! He’s asking questions about who Mr. Wilson is and what happened to his son. He’s asking if the Stump Maker is in the woods watching the boys camping overnight. He even asked about the Raven! (I have a thing for Ravens.)

I haven’t gotten to the really creepy part yet. lol. Seriously though, if he asks me to stop reading, that’ll be that. We’ll see how it goes today!

This prompted me to view the amazon listing. Here’s a review:

“A Great Adventure!

I’ve never been one to read books of this nature but I purchased because I am such a fan of the writing of one of the authors in particular (M Taggart). I have read much of his poetry and short stories in the past and always enjoy his creativity.

Aside from his contribution the book is a nice read that pulled me in from the beginning and turning pages one after the other. If you want to get sucked into a moment that you are reading and feel like you are a part of it than this book is for you. I know you will enjoy it like I did. I plan to gift this book to a few folks as well. Enjoy!” -Lori

Edited by Tara Caribou. And I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but Tara is crushing it with the books that she is editing and publishing.

Check it out:
https://taracaribou.com/published-works/

***

As always- Read on, it’s good for the brain!

Matt