What it's like to read poetry in Jack Kerouac House
Poetry news from Tampa Bay and Beyond
Editor’s Note:
Howdy folks and welcome to the wonderful world of LIVE poetry. Yes, it’s fun to curl up with your favorite poetry book in that special corner of your home. But there’s nothing like going to a live poetry reading to make those words come alive. Check out what some of our K-House poets have to say about continuing Jack’s legacy in his house.
Don’t forget, the eminent Silvia Curbelo will be featured on Sunday at Jack’s place. We still have some reading slots available, signup and register here!
Check out the video with Saul Williams below!
Silvia Sings Her Words on Sunday at Jack’s House
We cannot wait till Sunday to hear our poetic song bird do justice to her words. Here’s one of her poems to give you a taste of what you can look forward to.
The Lake Has Swallowed The Whole Sky
BY SILVIA CURBELO
Some dreams are like glass
or a light beneath the surface of the water.
A girl weeps in a garden.
A woman turns her head and that is all.
We wake up a hundred times and
don't know where we are. Asleep
at the wheel. Saved by
the luck of angels.
Everyone touching his lips
to something larger, the watermark
of some great sorrow. Everyone
giving himself away. The way
the rose gives up the stem and
floats completely, without history.
In the end every road leads
to water. What is left of a garden
is the dream, an alphabet of longing.
The shadow of the girl. Perfume.
© 1997 by Silvia Curbelo.
Come on by to Jack’s House to see and hear Silvia live!
Reading at Jack’s House
“When you read your poetry at Jacks Last Stop you are invoking the ghosts of the desperate, the lonely, the gifted, the inspired and the despondent. The echoes of your words will resonate from the cedar paneled walls into the eternity of the written word.” ~~PB
“I love and have loved Kerouac for a long time. After all, I am a hippie boomer and his words helped shape my generation. Being around his art, a piece of his life, is like hanging out with him. All very relaxed and “cool. I am a newbie in the poetry and prose world, as a writer. Yet, reading to and sharing with other poets what I have written is like sharing a meal of artistry. We sit down to a feast of words, feelings, images. And there is not ever a plate that is rejected or treated with disdain. These fellow spirits that love the “cool of Kerouac” are kindred souls. The sharing of my words with them, and then their words with me, makes family. The experience of the open mike has revitalized me. I look forward to our monthly readings with anticipation and enthusiasm.” ~~DC
Bards by the Bay
This Thursday, May 23 @ 6-7:30 PM at Bayfront Park in Sarasota. Please bring some original poetry or just poetry you love. And you will be rewarded.
Over and above the poetry, Bards features bite-sized snippets of good, plain life-talk between or around the poems. This is better than scrolling, scrolling, scrolling to the next thing, the next thing, always the next thing. At Bards, the only elements missing are a big bonfire, a primitive puppet show, and a blessing from the shaman before tomorrow's hunt or harvest.
Bring a beach/lawnchair or blanket. Bring a beverage of your choice -- alcohol is allowed in Bayfront Park. We meet by the banyan tree near the northwest corner of the big Bayfront Park lawn. Parking and the best entrance for the Bayfront Park lawn is at Ringling Blvd and Tamiani (41). Follow the sidewalk that takes you along the docks/boats and you’ll see us (O'Leary's Tiki Bar is on the left side of the park; we're on the right). If you can’t find us, call this number: 203-434-1962 -- we will direct you to the mothership.
Gianna’s Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
Gianna Russo part of the poetry royalty of Tampa Bay will be conducting an Ekphrastic Poetry workshop on Sunday, June 9th at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. “We'll have the museum to ourselves on a calm, Ybor City Sunday morning to delve into ekphrastic model poems, view the current exhibits, write and share.” Here's the link to the event where folks can register to join.
Have a most poetic day!
But before you go, check out Saul Williams in one of the most memorable cinematic scenes I have ever seen!
Someday I hope to join you there!