Round Robin Poetry Rocks

Some of us went to the reading at the Porter Bookstore last Wednesday and had a swell time. The last poetry reading I went to was at Borders downtown where Emily Scudder had been asked to read along with--it seemed-- a hundred and twenty writers of verse, most of whom should have stayed home. It was a night to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Wednesday night's cast of "local" talent was of the highest caliber. The local part is about where the poets live and work, but some are known more widely. It was lively, sometimes very funny and always accessible. It felt rich and dense in the sense that there was so much to the readings. I found myself thinking about what a pleasure good, unpretentious poetry is.



Our good friends, Jim Henle(right), Iron Man of the Arts, and Emily Scudder(above), a nationally recognized poet, were on the bill; we are big fans.


Please take a look at Emily's Website listed in the Links. It's a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.

Manny's An Artist, But Not A Bullshit Artist

“Why should we panic?” he said. “We got a great team. If it doesn’t happen, good. We come next year and try to do it again. It's not the end of the world.”--Manny

I love Manny.

New Blogger in Town (or not in town)

Oh My God!!Jim's got a blog!!!! laperduttagente.blogspot.com.

The Bad Poets Society

Yes! It's Back!!

The Bad Poets Society, a loving and very public reading of the world's worst verse will be convened once again in Harvard Square after a 7 year hiatus! November IS bad poetry month.

This unique event will be held at The Speigel Auditorium 56 Brattle Street in the teeming heart of Harvard Square, Cambrige on Friday, November 9th 2007 at 8pm.

This event will feature the masterworks of Edgar Guest, America's own "Bard of the Banal, among other examples of ghastly doggerl and laughable idylls from sundry aspirants to poetic transcendence.

The Bad Poets Society commences on Friday,

November 9th in the Speigel Auditorium, 56 Brattle Street. Admission is $5.oo

the above is from the publicity flyer from Channel Zero

I will only add this :The Bad Poets Society is one of the most painfully funny experiences I have ever had. Don't forget to wear your Depends.

Body of a Buddhist Monk in a Yangon River

Painted from a photograph provided by the Democratic Voice of Burma

Don't Say a Word

"If you have nothing to eat but garbage, don't say a word.
If the garbage makes you sick, don't say a word.
If they cut off your feet, if they boil your hands, if your
tongue rots, if your spine
Splits in two, if your soul fines down to nothing, don't say a word.
If they poison you, don't say a word, even if your bowels slide
from your mouth.
And your hair stands straight up, even if your eyes well with
blood, don't say a word.
If you feel good, don't feel good. If you fall behind, don't fall
behind. If you die,
Don't die. If you're sad, don't be sad. Don't say a word."


Bolivian Poet, Jaime Saenz (1921-1986)

The Mayburrito

Wandering and Wondering with John the Mayburrito. http://www.wanderingandwondering.com./Not to be confused with Tito the Conscious Burrito. He's good too.
http://www.galactichardwarestore.com/burritoexplained.htm

Oblique Strategy

Go to an extreme, move back to a more comfortable place

click on the blog title to see one of the oblique strategy websites.

I got this very nice poster in the snail mail today from Emily Scudder. So get on over to the Porter Square Bookstore on Wednesday, October 17th. That's at 7pm. Lots of friends doing great things this month. There's Tom Swetland"s art show in Greenfield (blog posted below) and Heather Stewart has a two-woman art show at Harvard Neighbors--reception on October 16th. I'll see if I can get more info from Heather and post it up here.

Federal Street Books Art Show

Tom Swetland invites anyone who can make it to Greenfield, MA to an art show at his bookstore. on October 12th, 7-9pm. Email me at suckerbeagle@gmail.com if you are interested in going. If you can drive I have a car.


At left a sample of art called "Spaceman". Below a link to Toms great website with more pictures.
http://www.federalstreetbooks.com/

Poetry

Our very own HUCTW Writes! poets, Jim Henle and Emily Scudder will be at Porter Square Books on Wednesday, October 17th, 7pm. I'll be there. Let me know if you want come along and cheer them on. More info at link below.

http://www.portersquarebooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=storeevents&eventId=358083

And be sure to visit Emily's website. It's a lalapaloozer.http://home.mindspring.com/~escudder/index.html