St. Lawrence Area Poets

Just a reminder--the next SLAP meeting will be held this Thursday night at 6:30 at the UU Church in Canton.  The students are on break which may deplete our forces slightly.  We are trying to set up at least one reading in Potsdam for National Poetry Month in April.  Last year's event at Dave's Asian World Imports was a big success, one we may try to duplicate.  Have those assignments ready!

Last week's Poetry for Peace at SLU was not well-attended, but still the atmosphere was semi-groovy.  The theme was The Body.  Theo Hummer started the festivities w/ a poem by Amy Gertsler.  I went next, reading my poem "Memento," about getting slashed by a jerky punk w/ a knife.  A student, Gabriel Colas, read two of his poems, both of which were unadorned & serious.  JeanMarie then read three of hers, at least one of which was new to me.  She has a good way of treating serious subjects w/ good humor.  Then Theo finished up w/ a poem by Cathy Hong Park.  The next Poetry for Peace reading will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd, at 4:30, at the Brush Art Gallery on the SLU campus.  Check it out if you get a chance--the general public is invited.   

And that's it for this installment.  See you ALL on Thursday.

beverage: none

soundtrack: Jimi Hendrix

weather: stars

miscellaneous: book on Salvador Dali

contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

Nancy & I attended a reading at SUNY Potsdam on Thursday night.  The two featured readers were Rick Henry & Nancy, so we sorta had to be there.  This was not an open-mike event.  We were slightly late, as the snow was slippery & we got stuck behind a plow.  Anyway, Rick went first, reading selections from his novella "Lucy's Eggs," published in 2006 by Syracuse University Press.  Here are some notes I wrote after reading the book: "'Lucy's Eggs' is itself a magnificent story, tracing the narrow life of Lucy, a girl who grows up on a farm & is completely absorbed by her egg-laying hens.  By the end, Lucy has aged a great deal although she still loves the eggs & the hens.  A parallel plot construction chronicles the 'advances' of an industrial society: automobiles, an egg-producing factory, & all sorts of technological & societal changes that these poor country folk can't possibly keep up with.  'Lucy's Eggs'   is a beautiful story, told not in any mawkish sentimental manner, but rather in a way that emphasizes the strange & compelling love that Lucy has for her barnyard fowl.  I'm very impressed w/ this book."

So Rick read for like 20 minutes.  After a break for refreshments, Nancy approached the lectern.  She read poems from her childhood, her adulthood, & her nascent grandmotherhood, ending w/ the ever-popular "Black Friday," a harrowing account of her dangerous early-morning post-Thanksgiving Day adventure at Walmart while procuring a 52-inch plasma color TV.  She read also for roughly 20-25 minutes, bringing the reading to a successful close.  These readings are apparently a monthly thing, & I believe Maurice Kenny is the next featured reader, but I'll check on that for anyone who's interested.  

While there, I picked up a 2009 copy of North Country, an annual magazine produced at Potdam & apparently assembled by students w/ help from a faculty advisor/editor.  The advisor for the 2009 issue was Dr. Alan Steinberg, who in his introductory remarks gave "special thanks" to SLAP's own Kelly Frost.  Go Kelly!  

Meeting on the 9th at the UU Church in Canton.  Get going on that assignment!

Soundtrack: Jake on the drums

Weather: gloomy

Miscellaneous: between books

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

Last Thursday's reading at the Hookah House in downtown Potsdam, for those who missed it, was a swell event.  Regular SLAP members who read were me & Nancy, Dale Hobson, JeanMarie Martello, & Rajiv Narula.  The SLU student who attended the most recent meeting, Jon Ignatowski, also read.  Two folks from the rather modest crowd took advantage of the open-mike.  That would be Bill Clinger of Hermon, who recited two somewhat humorous poems, & Setanta O'Ceillaigh from Massena, who was actually the first reader, sharing five or six of his poems.  The atmosphere was kinda cool--w/ the low lights, plush furniture, exotic smoking-devices, & fragrant ambience.  But of course it's primarily a place of business so there were a few interruptions.  We were served brownies & homemade bread by the hostess Ashley.  The place is pretty cool--call them at 274-9800 for details.  I get the impression that both Bill & Setanta are interested in becoming regular SLAPPERS.

And I can't believe that I forgot to mention the reading at St. Lawrence University two weeks ago.  It was a special reading to honor North Country Poets.  Of the seven readers who were invited & actually attended, four represented SLAP--Dale Hobson, Jeanmarie Martello, Rajiv Narula, & myself.  The other three were Albert Glover, James Hall of SUNY Potsdam, & Theo Hummer, who organized the reading.  This event was pretty well attended.  Two poets from the audience took advantage of this open-mike.  First was Amelia Erdem, who read like five of her poems.  She told me that she's trying to put together a collection of her work soon.  And the second & final reader was Yessenia Chimelis, a student from the Bronx, who read two poems off her laptop, one by someone named Jimmy Woods & one of her own.  The next SLU reading is scheduled for March 2nd, but more on that next week.  Hope some of these students come back again.

I've got a start on the next SLAP assignment (which I'm not going to explain, unless someone asks).  It's turning out okay but will present some challenges.  But I shall prevail!  See you all next time.

Soundtrack: The Buzzcocks

Beverage: Sam Adams Boston Lager

Weather: Cloudy right now, drizzling snow all day

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

I don't think I've ever written a poem about a president or even a poem in which a president has appeared.  Anyway, thanks to our illustrious leaders--past, present, & future--I've got the day off. 

The big news is the open-mike poetry reading this Thursday, that's February 18th, at the Hookah House in downtown Potsdam.  You'll find this unique establishment at 16 Market Street.  The owner gave me a brief tour the other day.  It's really quite nice inside, very comfortable & modern.  Apparently the patrons smoke something called shisha, which is a mixture of dried fruits, molasses, herbs, & spices.  Some smoke-houses mix a little tobacco w/ the shisha, but not in Potsdam!  The blend here is 100% herbal, w/ no tar, tobacco, or nicotine added.  And they've got 99 flavors of shisha to choose from.  The poetical festivities get underway at 7:00, so plan to arrive a little early to settle in & absorb the cool atmosphere. 

No other pressing news.  The February SLAP poetry newsletter is done.  I've distributed copies here & there in Canton & Potsdam, & will give out copies at the Hookah on Thursday night.  I'm always looking for new work, so send your submissions to me at the e-mail address below.  And that's it, I've got things to do!!

Soundtrack: Frank Zappa

Beverage: Sprite

Weather: Hazy sun, 30 degrees

Miscellaneous: Frankincense incense, of the Nag Champa variety

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

Okay, time for a quickie. Listen up!   The next SLAP meeting will be held this Tuesday, February 9th, @ 6:30 @ SUNY Potsdam in Morey Hall, Room 110.  I am hoping for a decent turnout.  Earlier that day there'll be a poetry reading on the St. Lawrence University campus, at 4:30 in the Brush Art Gallery. Local poets, including several SLAP members, have been invited to share their work.  Everyone is invited, but I might not be able to stay for the whole reading because of the SLAP meeting later on. 

And next week's reading at the Hookah House in Potsdam is all set.  That's the 18th, Thursday night at 7:00.  Everyone is invited.  I'll remind you all next week.

I'm still working on the February SLAP poetry newsletter.  Should have it done this week.

Who are YOU rooting for tonight?  It's not really a big deal to me, but I'm going w/ Manning & the Colts.

Soundtrack: none

Beverage: none

Weather: light snow, 20 degrees

Contact John @ ataraxia1114@aim.com

Okay, folks, the next SLAP reading is scheduled for Thursday evening @ 7:00 at the Hookah Lounge in beautiful downtown Potsdam.  Oh, that's February 18th.  Everyone is invited, of course.  Sounds to me like a lot of fun, as the name Hookah Lounge certainly suggests things exotic.  Bring a fistful of poems & a friend or two.  They tell me that no tobacco is smoked on the premises, so don't worry about that.

Not much going on.  Nancy & I attended a hockey game at Clarkson on Friday night, as the Golden Knights hosted Yale.  Entering the contest, Yale had a record of 10-4-3, while Clarkson's record stood at 5-14-3.  So you would have bet on Yale, if you were a betting sort.  It was actually a close game.  Yale scored first & led at the end of the initial period 1-0.  Then Clarkson tied it 1-1 on a power play goal, which Yale quickly answered w/ their own power play goal.  Yale scored at the start of the third period, upping their advantage to 3-1.  But Clarkson battled back & pulled closer, 3-2.  Which is where the score stayed.  The Golden Knights fought furiously at the end, alas, to no avail.  Yale outshot Clarkson 44-24.  But we had fun.  What a racket that pep band & their pals make!  They had an electric guitar player amongst all the drums & brass.  He played Black Sabbath during intermissions, "Crazy Train" & "Iron Man."  Sounded great!

Beverage: none

Soundtrack: barking dogs up the road

Snack: nothing

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

Not a lot going on right now.  Last Tuesday's meeting at the UU church in Canton was a good one, w/ a turnout of seven, possibly an all-time record.  We shared some bad poems, always an uplifting experience.  The assignment for next time is for everyone to work on the same bad poem, which I'm supposed to send to everyone & which I shall send directly after the completion of this blog.  The idea is that if everyone works on the same bad poem, it'll be really interesting to see how each poet handles the alterations.  The next meeting is at SUNY Potsdam on Feb. 9th @ 6:30.  The exact spot is a bit of a mystery at this point.  I'll pass the location along as soon as our scouts report back.  So you Potsdam people have no excuse.

I have enough poems for a February SLAP poetry newsletter so check cafes & drug store counters in a couple of weeks. 

We discussed several possibilities for future readings.  One is at the new Hookah Lounge in Potsdam.  Another is a reading at Dave's Asian Import Shop to celebrate National Poetry Month in April.  But that's way off.  We have a few other possibilities, all confidential at this point.

I'll end on a sad personal note.  I lost my favorite tuque at last week's poetry meeting at the church.  It's a knitted black tuque (I love that word, tuque) w/ the letters WTSC stitched in gold across the front.   If anyone finds it, please let me know.  There's no reward, but if you find it I'll be your friend forever.  I've asked Rajiv to check on it but so far no luck. 

See you all next time.

Soundtrack: The Dead Milkmen

Beverage: hot hazelnut coffee

weather: dull

miscellaneous: I saw a cardinal in our garden yesterday.  The sun peeped out for like five minutes in the morning between the clouds--& there it was glowing scarlet right out back in the old snow.

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

That's right, we want to see some bad poetry this Tuesday.  That's the assignment, to write a bad poem or to fix a bad poem, yours or somebody else's.  Sounds like a goofy assignment, but if you think about it, by mending a poor or broken poem, you've got to analyze every aspect of it: the words & the relationship between the words, the line breaks, the rhymes (if any), & the sense of it.  Then you've got to know just why the changes you've made are not mere changes but actual improvements.  So anyway, go to it!

And as a reminder, the next SLAP meeting will be held Tuesday, January 12th, at the UU Church in Canton.  Go through the big red doors on the side & continue on up the stairs to the left.  That's 6:30.  We're working on a few possibilities for upcoming readings.  Anyone who has an idea for a future poetry event, please speak up.  We're always looking for new territory & new audiences. 

Interested in publishing your poems in a local magazine?  Send an e-mail to Kourtnee at Fourth Coast Entertainment Magazine at fourthcoast@twcny.rr.com.  

That's it until next week.  See you guys on Tuesday.  Get busy on those lousy poems!

Soundtrack:  The Offspring 

Beverage:  Hot Hazelnut Coffee

Weather:  Cold

contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

That's right, a whole new year & decade is upon us.  Hard to believe that 10% of the 21st century is history.  There are sentient beings alive right now who will never have lived in the dear 20th century.  And, walking among us, are kids who will live to see the 22nd century. 

These are sobering thoughts.  I'm certainly sobered.  Remember Y2K, what a laugh!  I was soooo disappointed that nothing went wrong.  When all runs along smoothly, how dull.  Yet I wouldn't wish for misfortune.  Life is such a confused paradox.  We don't want what we have, we want what we don't or cannot possess.  I'm not sure what the question is, but I'd say poetry is at least one answer, & a pretty good one too. 

Nancy & I spent Christmas in Virginia.  Rained all Christmas, but the next day was 61 degrees & clear.  Two highlights: got stuck in a horrendous traffic jam on the D.C. Beltway ( 5 miles in 5 hours); saw the film Avatar at the IMAX theater in Hampton, Virgina, in 3-D.  What an experience!  The movie is a rather straight-forward good vs. evil confrontation, but the action takes place in luscious 3-D; toss in an trans-species romance & you've got it.  Ths was my first time in an IMAX, so please excuse my gushing. 

Regarding the local poetry scene, SLAP is ready to emerge from its Holiday Hibernation.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12th, at the UU church in Canton, @ 6:30.  The assignment is to write a bad poem.  If you can't think of one, don't worry about it. 

JeanMarie & I are trying to set up a few readings for January & February.  If anyone has any ideas for an open-mike poetry venue, please let one of us know.

That's it for now, I guess.  Everybody keep those Resolutions, especially the writing ones.  Be strong--you are not alone!  Bye....

Music: R.E.M.

Beverage: Port

Weather: still snowing

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com

Miscellaneous: green light

Yes, indeed, the reading at the Fields coffeehouse in Potsdam did come off without a hitch last Friday night.  Janice Brabaw was up from Brooklyn promoting her new poetry collection, Tongue For Folie.  We attracted a decent crowd, roughly 15 people altogether, not bad for a Friday night when college is between semesters.  Janice started off w/ seven or eight poems from the new book, most of which express a confused chaos that so often seems to be Janice's inner life.  I then mounted the little stage & read a couple favorites from Balancing Act.   I then read a few random poems, some of which were SLAP assignments that turned out well, & concluded w/ a few from the unpublished San Diego poems of the fictitious Myrna.  Janice came back up for an encore & read a lengthy poem, "Letting Go of Crazy," a fierce dramatic declamation.  I've never experienced anything this passionate before at any poetry event. 

There was a table of six or seven young people right beside us.  They were really getting into the mood.  After Janice's encore, one of the young guys went up to the mike.  This was a poem, he explained, written jointly by everyone at his table.  He read something fairly incomprehensible from a tiny scrap of paper.  He received a good round of applause for the effort.  Janice sold a few of her books to the Fields' patrons.  It was a good time, w/ lots of creative energy generated.  And the open-mike is not imaginary: it is real & quite helpful projecting one's voice over the kitchen noises. 

I've got to get ready for Christmas.  Heading down to Virginia for nearly a week.  I understand there's lots of snow down there.  But it's got to be warmer than northern New York.  Bye, until next time.  Oh, & work on those Resolutions.  This is the annual opportunity to straighten out everything, finally, until the next year. 

Music listened to while writing this blog: various artists

Beverage: hot coffee, hazelnut

Weather: cold up here in my office

Miscellaneous: green light

Contact John at ataraxia1114@aim.com for whatever