Reading Recap

The reading on Wednesday was a huge hit. I would love to thank everyone who came, especially Tim, Sam, Joe, Ben, Eli and Carl. Oh and my mom, who pulled the classic mom stunt of saying: "come here, you have something on your face" moments before I was introduced. (I couldn't believe she actually said that without any sarcasm or irony in her voice.)

I had thought the reading would be small (I mean, come on, Exeter NH?) but as I walked in there were at least 30 people there. The number would swell to around 60 when two high school English classes showed up, complete with an old teacher of mine (who remembered me? It has been 10 years!) 60 people. Needless to say I was pumped, and it showed.

Pat followed, and I really appreciated her candor. Her husband of many years had passed in the past month, and she dedicated the reading to him. It follows that she read a lot of poems about him. There was a bit of sentimentality, but the best poems really approached the relationship with an attentiveness and perspective I was jealous of. Given the situation, it was all entirely appropriate and made me think about the traditions of poetry in every day life. I only hope to be writing at her age.

The open mic was almost as long as the reading, with about a thousand high school kids reading poems from class. Brings me right back to my high school days. I'm glad I wrote, but I feel bad for those who had to listen to me read at open mics.

Reading was followed by some drinks and conversation at my house, thanks to all those who showed up and listened to my best Truman Capote impressions.

So I got some good comments on my poems, some more good comments on my reading (Slam Poetry did SOMETHING good for me) and overall can't wait for the next reading. hear that people,
BOOK ME.