An Experiment: Walking Poetry's America, Pt. 4 (now with maps!)

[scottwoods]

First some clarifications based on previous comments and conversations.

If I sound a little short here, it's not my intention.  I'm in scientist mode and you were probably just trolling a Facebook link or something, so don't be offended because I give you a very clinical answer I've probably already given, implied or assumed was apparent two or

Comments

Wow.

[irishcoyote]

Do I have to quote Boondocks to say you crazy.

Not that I don't think you can't pull it off, just that it's proof of.

Re: Wow.

[scottwoods]

No doubt, son!

[chaptal]

The V-Dip. Oh this is crazy brilliant!

hm

[cynthia_french]

none of your maps touch minnesota, which is home to the "most literate city" in the country.

I don't blame you, however.

I blame North and South Dakota for being some lame and taking up so much space.

oh, and

[cynthia_french]

on the lines of the 2-3 years thing...there are also readings that only exist for like 6 months or 2 years or 3 weeks...so you could plan, but you couldn't really plan THAT far ahead could you? I mean, you'd have to carry some sort of technology with you that could look for upcoming shows as you went because you'd never know if one you were planning on was going to still be there, etc. And there isn't really a way you could book features 3 years out at regular poetry readings, is there? Even our reading, that's been going on for 15 years, well, it's changed days of the week, etc., over time.

Re: oh, and

[scottwoods]

Good point, re: features.

I wouldn't book features at these readings. I mean, I would take a feature if it were offered, but I'd only plan to read maybe a poem or two in an open mic or something. To meet the goal of the premise one need not read poetry at all. It's not about the poet...its about poetry. I'd be happy to sit in the back so long as it was happening.

As far as readings that shut down, I think you take that hit on the road.

[javabill]

gotta say i'm a bit disappointed that you didn't start/end in New England. of all the regions, this is the one that would be easiest to tour on foot. Portland, Maine to New Hampshire, down to Boston, then to Worcester, cut down to Providence, cut across Connecticut (several non-slam readings there) & then into NYC. you could also hit Providence after Boston, pop up to Worcester, head west to Hampshire/North Hampton, then drop south. depending on how you laid it out, you could spend 2-3 weeks just in New England before dropping into New York.

[scottwoods]

To be honest, I didn't want to tack on the mileage. But now that you've laid it out so succinctly, I HAVE to consider it. Is it enough to just go from ocean to ocean? If it is, then NY is as good a place to start as Savannah, Georgia. But I think what you suggest is more in line with the premise, so I'll do a map on that one too.

ThANKS BILL!

[javabill]

i think something that might be helpful would be to check with people in areas along the route. (especially in those areas with very few readings) i know of many readings in N.E., but far from all of them. the same will hold true in other areas. breaking the path down into smaller chunks, i think you would find many local readings that just don't show up on web searches & that would help fill out the map.

someone did a great story a few years ago about how every town, no matter how small, has some claim to fame. the writer picked a cross country road & then called every town along the route. every town, without exception, had some "claim to fame" no matter how small. i'm guessing that poetry readings are the same way. once you get a contact in an area they will be able to track down some readings, even if they are just small bookstore or collage poetry club readings.

i think you are on to something here & i do believe that you can get close to the goal, but it will take time to figure it out.

[scottwoods]

Thanks Bill! I haven't moved it to get-in-touch-with-folks level syet, but I think I'm very close. You have to be carful at that level because it either opens you up for theft or it builds up expectations.