LJWorld.com weblogs At Random
Posted
by Ronda Miller
November 2, 2011 at 9:59 a.m.
The poets are coming to Lawrence! 'Begin Again: 150 Kansas Poems' - Sunday, November 6th, Lawrence Public Library
Bowlegged, gray haired women run after tobacco spitting squirts. Some of the children are their own, but form and features are unrecognizable in the blaze of squealing chickens and piglets as all embrace in glee, then quickly pull away, each vying for the best possible view of the poets.
They came! They are coming! Only one child will be chosen to return with them, to be taught how to tap into subconscious and allow memories stored through osmosis to distort, entangle, engulf, and finally, to create!
Millilng peasants and townspeople listen, enraptured, into twilight. Eyes slightly closed, parched beak agape, a scuffled, freshly poisoned magpie flies to the north, so frightful and uncommon this scene.
By sunrise, the poetesses gather their dust laden skirts around their shoulders, a few elderly poets taking off dress jackets to assist in providing warmth to a favorite.
No sooner has it begun, and it has ended. Adults come awake in the reality of everyday survival. With renewed energy and appreciation of words to grasp onto until the next visit, mother and child once again recognize each other and make their way home.
All except one. It is days before anyone realizes I'm a chosen one. I'm carried away among the shuffling, sandaled feet of the poets and into a way of life I have no means of comprehending. One day I too shall return, and I will bring words.
This, unfortunately, was not my childhood reality, but for many children, teens and adults over the next several months, it will be.
Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, poet laureate of Kansas, has chosen 150 poems representing Kansas in Woodley Press release, 'Begin Again: 150 Kansas Poems'.
Caryn, and a variety of poets, kick off a twenty city reading tour Thursday, November 3rd, in Wichita - Eight Day Books, 2838 E. Douglas.
Twenty-six poets who made the cut will be reading (The Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., large auditorium), Sunday, November 6th, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
All readings are free and open to the public. Additional information about readings may be found at: 150kansaspoem.wordpress.com/readings/
The poets ARE coming. Allow them to carry you away........
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Comments
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
If you don't see a reading near you and you'd like to host one, please contact me and we'll try to organize one. There are plans for additional readings in extreme nw Kansas and area cities next spring.
RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) says…
Is it a faux pas to show up, hand a poet something, and then leave right away?
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
Poets are generally open to an 'anything goes' atmosphere. They are known for a preference of roses over guns, however. And if you've got a cold, please wear a mask. Lol
autie (anonymous) says…
Didn't the governor ban poetry?
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
That in and of itself would be a good enough reason to do it, eh? :)
It's a read in!
oldvet (anonymous) says…
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Fire Turner Gill,
And help out KU!
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
Expectations too high
You reach for the sky
Accept what's at hand
It's part of God's plan
It's not the win or the whim
But that spark that's within
That drives down the field
Without getting killed.
It's only a game
Most of life appears lame
Figure out the bigger plan
Embracing your clan
And grow from within
RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) says…
Yup, I actually did it!
I went to a Poe-try reading, handed a Poe-t something, didn't listen to any of the Poe-ts reading their Poe-ms, and left without getting beat up!
It can be done!
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
And I cut the ms off the poems to make them all Poe. I don't believe any of the Poe its noticed. Not that it would have made a difference.
You missed a new rendition of Home On the Range sung by the poet laureate of Kansas. It was Poe it tree at its best!
Thanks for the book!!!