About the Author:
Hi :) I am ... I never know how to fill these things out. It's not that I don't know who I am, I think, it's just that I don't really know what to mention first. If I mention my work first, does that make me a workaholic? If I mention my studies, does it sound pretentious? Oh who cares. Anyway, I'm Courtney. Born and raised in Michigan, but now I live in Brazil. Studied at U of M Flint and then when I graduated I joined the Peace Corps and lived in Paraguay until 2003. Then I moved to Brazil (long story), where I am now an English teacher and in a Master's Program in Education at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. I like lots of stuff ... Going to the beach, drinking a cold beer, chatting with friends and family ... Not married, and not planning on being any time in the near future. I like to read, but I'd be lying if I said that I had half the time to read what I want as much as I would like to ... such is life. I play the guitar and I also like some artsy craftsy stuff ... I crochet (it calms the nerves), and I write really bad poetry. You can see it and other ramblings on my blog. I'm actually kind of relieved that only twelve people subscribe to it though (a third of that number is family, they have to love me, you see). I might be embarrassed if not. I'm kind of shy too, and I blush a lot, unfortunately. Nothing like wearing your heart on your sleeve. I try not to define myself based on directions or which hand I write with but just in case you are wondering, I write with the right one, but I think with the left. I love working with youth, particularly teenagers. I have been a bit burned out as of late though. It happens to the best of us. I don't know what else to say, so I'll shut up now.

Poetry by Courtney J. Campbell

Saving Mozart

My dear sweet Mozart--
struggling against your desires for love
and the art in your heart, or your head--
It's still early! Don't give in yet!

I am reaching to you, Wolfgang,
from your future, and my past
and to Alfonsina too, with the last
of the poems she once sang
still ringing in my ears--
not of her own voice,
but Mercedes, in harmony with her fears
forgot (?) that poets don't drink tea
at the sea's bottom no matter what the company
(If so, Pinochet would be a hero of freedom and poetry
instead of a dead son-of-a-bitch in a box, finally).

I reach to yous/us, with hope
as I hear through the years,
from a yet-to-be-born historian
digging through archives of foreign origin
who found (will find?) a trace of a solitary guardian
angel of past genius
shouting with me (us?) in unison
"It's still early! Don't give in yet!"

--Courtney J. Campbell

Copyright © 2006 by Courtney J. Campbell
Courtney's page at MySpace