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Post by moira on Oct 30, 2008 19:54:11 GMT 2
This is my first foray into uploading, sharing, so please forgive (and report) any problems. Thanks to Alan Hayes for taking the pictures for me. And thanks to the WomPo readers who smiled bravely while being aware of an elderly man who had fallen, and was being tended to in the sidelines. It was hard to look in the camera, hard to muster that smile. Look for my report on the reading later today, perhaps even this evening. Hope this works. Joyce SEE THE SLIDESHOW!picasaweb.google.com/PicsoJoy/LettersReading#
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Post by moira on Oct 30, 2008 20:08:44 GMT 2
The Worcester reading for Letters to the World was inspired. Fifteen readers found their way to the Worcester library an hour before the reading, noshed and chatted, met some of the Worcester County Poetry Association members, and generally had a relaxed time preparing for the reading. After being welcomed by Susan Elizabeth Sweeney, President of the WCPA, I gave a brief overview of the anthology, which was amply enriched by Rosemary Starace, who spoke on the editorial process, followed by readers Laura Cherry, Kathleen Clancy, Joanie DiMartino, Lisken VanPelt Dus, Ruth Foley, Audrey Friedman, Diane Kendig, Claire Keyes, Julia Lisella, Eve Rifkah, Metta Sama, Ada Jill Schneider, Maggie Schwed, Rosemary Starace, and I, who each read our own poems, as well as one by another in the anthology. Some of those other poets read were Sherry Chandler, Jessica de Koninck, Wendy Carlisle, Lynnell Edwards, Helen Frost, Rachel Loden, Ellen Rachlin, C.J. Sage, and Susan Williamson. I read poems by Elaine Brown and Ellen Goldstein, who were not able to attend, and gave the last word to the lone male in the anthology, David Graham. (by the way, David, Carle Johnson of the WCPA wonders if you were once part of Worcester's poetry scene back in the 70's ). In all, 32 poems from the anthology were read. The reading was was well-received, with audience somewhere under 60. Hard to get an accurate head count as some arrived late, others had to leave early. The only unfortunate event was that an elderly man fell on getting up to leave, and that distracted most of the audience from chatting with the poets after the reading. After the reading, Ada, Claire, Diane, Eve, Rosemary and I went to Laura Jehn Menides' home where she had a Brunswick stew prepared for us. Also there were some of our significant others and Kathleen Spivak. More great food and conversation. Laura and I rounded off the evening at Carle Johnson's open mike which featured Kathleen Spivak. A long and exhilarating day of poetry! There's some mutterings how it might be an annual event for northeast WomPo to get together, and I'm all for not losing the in-person contacts that came about from this gathering and other readings. I only wish that I had had more time to just chat with people, instead of keeping the show on-target.. I would have liked to get to know a little more about Metta, Maggie, Kathleen, all of whom I met for the first time. There's no way to get on paper the ambience or how accomplished all the readers were. Alan Hayes tried to do a recording of the reading, and once I hear from him how that came out, I'll let you all know. And maybe there is someplace out on the web that we can put that up for you all to hear. Thanks to all the readers who came from such distance, brought such good food, and warm poetry hearts. I look forward to seeing you all again. Joyce
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Post by moira on Oct 30, 2008 21:42:53 GMT 2
A great and accurate description, Joyce!
I had tried to remember and jot down the poems that were read. In addition to your list below, I remembered Jeanne Beaumont, Evie Shockley, D'Arcy Randall, Katha Pollitt. I think we're still missing one.
At each successive wompology reading--as I hear more of the poems read aloud--I become more jubilant about the depth and breadth of the poems in the book and the readers. What a great time!
(In case anyone's wondering who Alan Hayes is (photographer and recorder of events), he's my husband, good friend of Wom-po.)
Rosemary
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lvpd
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by lvpd on Nov 15, 2008 16:54:48 GMT 2
Kathleen Flenniken is the missing one!
It was indeed a delightful event. Thanks to all, especially Joyce.
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Post by arielpf123 on Nov 16, 2008 1:57:22 GMT 2
I'm glad to hear it went so well! Kudos to you all!
Pat Fargnoli
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