wrapping up last night's show like a mummy
Sometimes, there are stretches where I am scheduled for a cluster of features, so I try to make sure that there will be something unique happening at each one, in case anybody decides to see me more than once. I appreciated that Crystal, Nikki, Dani and Gary were all at my last three readings, so hopefully they got a sense of that.
I have had some memorable stage moments, but last night was absolutely the best. I was reading with, and to, some of the people who inspire me most. Most of these people have seen and heard plenty of poetry in their lives, so its a great challenge to try to surprise or impress a room like that. I was honored and really looking forward to being part of the best lineup I have ever been included in.
I said that I was very sorry that I wasn't dressed in disguise, since it was so close to Halloween... but some of my poems were like costumes. Then, I got to the heart of my set which was this series of poems:
Poem Yet To Be Written By David Chorlton
Poem Yet To Be Written By Cat Klotsche
Poem Yet To Be Written By Bill Campana
Poem Yet To Be Written By Jack Evans
Poem Yet To Be Written By Patrick Hare
I started with Chorlton's because I knew he wouldnt be there, so everyone was able to have a comfortable laugh, but when I followed it up with Cat's poem (who was in the audience) the room began to buzz. Since the last three were poets who were also featuring that same night, everything turned electric. Fortunately, they are all popular and frequent performers and the audience knew them well, so every verbal nuance, every favorite theme, every recurring image, gesture, inflection and manerism that I injected into these poems was greeted with howls of recognition. It was thrilling.
In the end, I think it was evident that I wasn't merely mocking anyone. I approached these pieces with the utmost sincerity and tried to convey the spirit of each of those poets. I was only able to do this, because I liked these poets enough to be familiar with their poetic tendencies. Okay, maybe some of the gestures seemed like mockery! haHA.
I am so glad that some of you were there to experience that, in person. I may read those pieces again, but the suspense and surprise that shot through the crowd last night (everyone wondering/fearing who might be my next impression) can never be recreated.
Jack, Bill, and Patrick were in top form last night, so I had such a great time just listening to them. You rarely get a chance to hear Jeff Falk do readings like this, but he is amazing and authentic. If you ever have the chance to see any of them, you will not be disappointed.