Over the past three decades, I’ve participated in public readings in some interesting places: bars, cafes, auditoriums, bookstores, churches, classrooms, in people’s homes, in various arts facilities, on a river bank and, of course, online. But until this week, I’d never read at an airport. Now that was truly different! I am grateful to Brick Street Poetry and Indianapolis Airport Authority for this amazing opportunity.
Fellow Texans, take note!
MHR poets Bessie Senette and Robert Okaji join Editor Clare L. Martin at Malvern Books in Austin on Saturday, October 20th, at 7 p.m.
More about Bessie here: https://thebayoumystic.com/
More about Robert here: https://robertokaji.com/
More about Clare here: http://clarelmartin.com
Left to right: Christine Beck, Katy Chrisler, Robert Okaji, D.G. Geis, Pamela Paek, Ronnie K. Stephens, d. ellis phelps
I was so pleased to read with this group of incredible poets, and to meet in person Kirsten Miles, the Tupelo Press National Director for the 30-30 Project. She is an insightful, multi-talented and absolutely delightful person. I wish we’d had more time to chat. My portion starts about four minutes in, but please take the time to hear Kirsten’s introduction. There are six other videos (poets have their own videos), and I urge you to watch them all.
Tupelo Press 30/30 Reading, Austin
Thank you to the staff at Malvern Books, and to Jeff, Cate and Plain Jane for sponsoring these poems last August.
For more information on the Tupelo Press 30-30 Project, go to the 30/30 site, or feel free to contact me for a participant’s viewpoint.
I felt like this before the reading, but loosened up a bit and enjoyed it. I read ten poems, five from my chapbook, If Your Matter Could Reform, three unpublished pieces, and two that have appeared or are about to appear in publications.
The recording may be found on the Malvern Books YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmPg_0W0oNw
And please take the time to view Chip Dameron’s reading. He’s a fine poet, very engaging.
An evening with poets Chip Dameron and Robert Okaji
Some of you may want to jet in for this event. Or not. Chip is certainly worth the effort!
O at the Edges 