Wednesday in New York at Urbana
I was offered the feature slot at Urbana on the Tuesday before my Page Meets Stage gig there the next night, and I accepted without pause. I love reading there. It's a place I feel like I can take risks in, and that can be hard to come across depending on how you're wired.
Oh! I FINALLY got to meet Bob Holman! I've sent him emails once or twice over the years but I've never caught him at his own club. He immediately hugged me and all was right with the world.
I was SO late. I was so late people were worried. I was so late that when I pulled up and Jon Sands offered to park my car? I LET him. Ten minutes after getting there I was up on stage in front of a hot and packed crowd, raring to go.
October 24, Bowery Poetry Club, NY, NY
Cruise Director
Lynchings
To the Stalking Husband of My Ex
How to Make a Crackhead
The Sunoco Station
"The Sunoco Station" is about one week old. I debuted it last week at Writers' Block. It's a new favorite of mine already. Tighten a couple of screws and it will be DONE-done. This is the truest poem I've written recently, presenting actual events. I did a tighter performance this week than I did last week, so I think I got this one now once the screws are turned.
I did the NPS edit of "Lynchings", which cuts out some of the original version's humor for time but gets to the point. This will now be the official version.
The last one of note, "Cruise Director", mostly bears pointing out because it's the definition of a rehab piece: an ancient poem committed to the dust that gets excavated, dusted off, has new tires put on it, gets taken out for a spin and, lo and behold, it's like a new joint again. I wouldn't read it everywhere - it's not THAT overhauled - but it has an energy now that is undeniable. I wouldn't say it's gotten the full treatment, but it's got enough of it to say, "remix!"
It was awesome to see everyone there. I like seeing people outside of the national events. They are more themselves, comfortable, on their turf. Especially New Yorkers/Jerseyites. Love these crews in New York.
An interesting side note: I love how Watering Hole: Juke Joint Poems has taken on this underground life of its own. This is mostly due to Jon Sands passing copies of it around and then having to replace them (which I'm happy to do every time) because people like them that much. When Jeanann Verlee mentioned she'd seen it and wanted a copy, I felt all kinds of warm. If she likes it then it further confirms that it's the real deal. It still is the most complete record of my poetic voice to date, I think. Give me a theme and I can run with it, son. It's no mistake that of all the things I sent Kevin Young, he opted to read something out of Watering Hole during our set the next night.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...
Oh! I FINALLY got to meet Bob Holman! I've sent him emails once or twice over the years but I've never caught him at his own club. He immediately hugged me and all was right with the world.
I was SO late. I was so late people were worried. I was so late that when I pulled up and Jon Sands offered to park my car? I LET him. Ten minutes after getting there I was up on stage in front of a hot and packed crowd, raring to go.
October 24, Bowery Poetry Club, NY, NY
Cruise Director
Lynchings
To the Stalking Husband of My Ex
How to Make a Crackhead
The Sunoco Station
"The Sunoco Station" is about one week old. I debuted it last week at Writers' Block. It's a new favorite of mine already. Tighten a couple of screws and it will be DONE-done. This is the truest poem I've written recently, presenting actual events. I did a tighter performance this week than I did last week, so I think I got this one now once the screws are turned.
I did the NPS edit of "Lynchings", which cuts out some of the original version's humor for time but gets to the point. This will now be the official version.
The last one of note, "Cruise Director", mostly bears pointing out because it's the definition of a rehab piece: an ancient poem committed to the dust that gets excavated, dusted off, has new tires put on it, gets taken out for a spin and, lo and behold, it's like a new joint again. I wouldn't read it everywhere - it's not THAT overhauled - but it has an energy now that is undeniable. I wouldn't say it's gotten the full treatment, but it's got enough of it to say, "remix!"
It was awesome to see everyone there. I like seeing people outside of the national events. They are more themselves, comfortable, on their turf. Especially New Yorkers/Jerseyites. Love these crews in New York.
An interesting side note: I love how Watering Hole: Juke Joint Poems has taken on this underground life of its own. This is mostly due to Jon Sands passing copies of it around and then having to replace them (which I'm happy to do every time) because people like them that much. When Jeanann Verlee mentioned she'd seen it and wanted a copy, I felt all kinds of warm. If she likes it then it further confirms that it's the real deal. It still is the most complete record of my poetic voice to date, I think. Give me a theme and I can run with it, son. It's no mistake that of all the things I sent Kevin Young, he opted to read something out of Watering Hole during our set the next night.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...