Journal: Aug 01, 2010
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04/10/2006 Archived Entry: Delaware Local Authors
I felt as if I were barely qualified to be there yesterday at the Delaware County Library 100th anniversary celebration as a local author. I only have the one chapbook in addition to my individual poem publications and I don't live in Delaware County. I seemed to be welcomed in part because it was Fred Kirchner who invited me. (Hey, Fred, they love you in Delaware!) But, legitimate or not, I was invited and there were a couple of people who qualified about as much as I did.
Except for one conversation, it was a rewarding experience. Heck, that one conversation was rewarding too, if only because I got a good story out of it.
Two great things: First, I got to meet John Kneisley who used to be a big part of the Columbus/central Ohio scene. He is an extremely nice guy. And we seemed to hold some of the same opinions. He gave me a copy of one of his poems and the book of another poet's (John Unland).
The second great thing was during my reading. One of the two people who came -- yes, I said two -- hey, it was out of the way and I didn't bring anyone -- one of the two people who came was a woman who seemed enchanted with a pantoum I'd written about living in Pickerington (it's called "The Shore or an Island"). So I got to share the pantoum form with someone who appreciated it and I got to talk about the use of repetends and repeating patterns in poetry. I gave her a copy of that poem too. A lovely experience.
That poem, "The Shore or an Island" might end up being a really good hand-out poem. Nice and quiet, it's got strong imagery and absolutely nothing that could possibly be construed as un-family friendly. Ah, maybe a bit too tame, huh?
I read: "The Ugly One", "Penelope to Her Loom (30 Years Later)", "Harvest Moon Voice", and "The Shore or an Island".
Replies: 2 comments
What a great set!
Posted by Scott @ 04/10/2006 11:16 PM ET
It was great! We all sat down around a table. John Kneisley said he was glad to hear I sounded like a real person. High praise.
I think if I ever "do" another library I might skew more to form. Both "The Shore or an Island" (pantoum) and "Penelope" (dramatic monologue) are forms.
Posted by Louise @ 04/11/2006 07:52 AM ET