"Poetry Reading Tonight"

The sign read "Poetry Reading Tonight"

 

So I took down the address

 

Scratched it onto a piece of paper

 

Slipped it into my purse

 

It would be my first poetry reading

 

I was nervous about going

 

So my daughter accompanied me

 

We drove down Collingwood Blvd

 

It was a dark night sky

 

A partial moon and many stars

 

The building wasn't too hard to find

 

It was an old church which looked like a castle

 

A haunted one at that

 

In the drive way was a truck decked out with dolls

 

Of all kinds, sizes and shapes

 

The driver of the truck an umkempt strange fellow

 

We had seen him many times before

 

Frequenting coffee shops here in town

 

He was quite scary too

 

Perhaps we should have stayed home

 

My daughter really wanted to leave

 

But we stayed anyway

 

As we approached the building

 

The truck driver asked us

 

If we were attending the poetry reading

 

Of course we said yes

 

We proceeded to go inside

 

There was a long corridor which lead to another

 

Which we were directed to an old classroom

 

Featuring slate blackboards and a piano

 

There were only three poets there

 

They were a strange lot

 

We thought perhaps we should go

 

But we stayed

 

Eventually others drifted in

 

I don't know what we had expected

 

But the reading turned out quite well

 

We were torn between laughter and tears

 

As the poetry filled the room

 

It was grand

 

There were monologues

 

Rap, poetry and prose

 

A guitar player songwriter

 

Who sang his poetry while he played

 

It was quite an interesting night

 

We stayed after hours

 

Had sandwiches and coffee

 

I read five of my own poems

 

I was still nervous and the papers shook

 

But I kept on reading anyway

 

When I was done

 

My audience clapped

 

It was awesome

 

Reviews

[Belinda Rice]

Great write about getting the courage to get up there and read your work to people that you really did not know I wish I had you courage to do the same keep up the great writings God Bless

[emmajoy]

Congratulations! It must take so much courage to stand and read your own work, to know it's being listened to, studied and, what's more you're standing up there, doing the reading so that people can hear you!

As always you take people, your readers along with you, into situations maybe lots haven't been in; to share those tears and laughter too is all part of belonging to something, being part of a group of people who you know love words as much as you.

'There were only three poets there / They were a strange lot / We thought perhaps we should go / But we stayed / Eventually others drifted in / I don't know what we had expected' .. .. I don't know why but those are the lines that really got to me, maybe it was because it really shows the adventure, the unknown.

Great write, really enjoyed and appreciated it.

[emmajoy]

Congratulations! It must take so much courage to stand and read your own work, to know it's being listened to, studied and, what's more you're standing up there, doing the reading so that people can hear you!

As always you take people, your readers along with you, into situations maybe lots haven't been in; to share those tears and laughter too is all part of belonging to something, being part of a group of people who you know love words as much as you.

'There were only three poets there / They were a strange lot / We thought perhaps we should go / But we stayed / Eventually others drifted in / I don't know what we had expected' .. .. I don't know why but those are the lines that really got to me, maybe it was because it really shows the adventure, the unknown.

Great write, really enjoyed and appreciated it.

[Bhavya Kaushik]

This was breathtakingly beautiful!
The entire story has been narrated beautifully here!

[LSS]

Personal expression, Private sharing, Occasional writing, Anonymous publishing, and Public reading all take different kinds of courage. To be able to stand in front of your peers, possible betters, is daunting to say the least. But you've passed another hurtle, you've climbed another rung, you've forded another stream, you've reached another pinnacle. Congratulations.
Lar

[Tiana]

Oh I bet they did, you are an awesome writer, Debileah ... I'm glad you and your daughter stayed and enjoyed yourselves ... Wonderfully written ... hugs

[Wicahpi]

Good for you, Deb!!
Sounds very enjoyable and you
let your guard down for a few hours.
Praise Thee!!

[Clyde Grauke]

I like simple descriptions of actual events whose essence speaks as a metaphor to those with similar experiences. In this case it seems to reflect the experience of stepping into the unknown and sticking with it. We often come out, as you apparently did, with something unexpectedly awesome. (of course I've also had my times when it came out unexpectedly bad :) This is a very good poem and I really felt I was able to share your experience.

[Silent Kim aka mizmetap..]

Yes poetry reading is fun, often times you hear talent that you grow to admire. I haven't done any readings in a while. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it and had the confidence to stand up in front of strangers to share your work.

Excellent poem telling the story of your night at poetry reading. Good for you.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Bravo for getting the courage to express your art and enjoy yourself doing it... thanks for sharing this great experience.