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Open Poetry #18
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A Night to Remember
| Open Poetry #18 |
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A Night to Remember |
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Canuckster Member
since 2002-01-09
Posts 285New Mexico, USA 
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(I know ... I'm pouting) A Night to Remember It’s not every day you say you met the Poet Laureate, but Yesterday was such a day. There were others there, of course, But they were not so aware, as was I. The crowd hushed and Out rushed the object of our joint affections, to sit quietly while Introduced. A college president appeared with obligatory face time And then English Professor with requisite exquisite laud; they applaud And then to it. Robert Pinsky stands, applause dies (not necessarily At that explicit moment) and poem is read. He pauses to state he is Not the author and asks for a show of hands of all who recognize The author of the verse. My hand raises and I note with perverse pleasure How few raise with me. Robert Frost, of course, as I live again the Honeysuckle’s spray, the crumbling earth and stiff metaphor. And then He reads a poem of his own from Jersey Rain. His syllables string together Suggestively in our collective ears. A pause; applause and on to another. An epic, he reads the shirts off our backs and back to orient us as to that Linen’s origin. Now to questions and answers, as the obligatory tired old Saws are trotted out. Where does your inspiration come from? How do you Break your writer’s block? What does a poet laureate do? He answers with Patience and even wit, demonstrating the charm that no doubt factored into The Library of Congress’ designation. No one wants a crusty old grouch for A spokesman, and a Gucci smile is a bonus as well. And then, a real question Is asked, I know this to be so, because I asked it. The only real question asked That night. I was there. Just ask me and I’ll tell you. The dreaded question Tumbled out, “With all the change in form and function brought on by the Internet, what do you see, in the future of Poetry.” He missed the rhyme, implicit In my query, and proceeded to answer in prose, “who knows,” and to support with Analysis, from past paralysis that no one knows where art goes and moved on to the Next question as I sat rebuffed. Several more requests and a denouement of reading, Jersey Rain itself and then thunderous applause. We filtered out. I stood in line, paid My twelve dollars, smiled at him while he gucci’d at me and wrote his name complete With the date of 4/5/00 and I left from a night I will never forget. I read his work and Had to admit his power in metaphor to be unparalleled, certainly not by me. Hell, I Can’t even ask the right damn question and he is the undisputed master of voice after all. Did I mention he had laryngitis and had to end early? © 2000 Barton J. Breen never try to teach a pig to sing it wastes your time AND annoys the pig [This message has been edited by Canuckster (01-13-2002 10:40 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Bart Breen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
You took me there with you in your poem! I felt as though I was listening to Mr. Pinsky and holding my breath as he chose you to ask a question. Wonderful write sir!! But I wish he'd answered your question a little more in depth!  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Canuckster, A lovely wallow and swallow. Enjoyed. |
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brianbeaudry Member
since 2001-07-20
Posts 410Northern Ontario Canada |
The answer is never of as great an importance as the question my friend, for the question directs the response!!!PENNED WITH PASSION AS USUAL. Words expressed without deception...Are the beginning of a poem's conception |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 WOW!!! That's sooooo cool, sweet friend, this is a memory you must always treasure, for you speak of such a wonderful time so beautifully! (sigh) May his words forever inspire you as you always grow in your poetic voice! (big hugggsssss) We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is fabulous! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Bart, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
What a wonderful write. You eased me into a chair to observe and listen, and I fidgeted when you didn't get a more fulfilling answer. Very well done! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Love the Gucci smile--you drew us in and kept us there. Welcome to passions, and I do hope to be reading more of your work. Hmmm....very interesting and quite good! Be keeping my eye on you! |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Wow, Bart...you made me feel like I was right there in the room with Robert Pinsky. I wish I had been there, It sounds like it was, indeed...a night to remember!  copyright2001 Lyra Nesius |
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HumbleBee Member
since 2002-01-06
Posts 52Kentucky |
You are a very gifted writer yourself...you held my attention. I've always wanted to attend a poetry reading, there was one held at local college here last semester but I missed it...oh well, someday hopefully. I enjoyed "Night to Remember" |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I really enjoyed this...as the others have said, you flowed into it and captured me as if I was there. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Bart, you captured me from the get go and held me captive, which is not an easy task as I do not sit still for long...*s*....for a great read. Hugs, Nancy ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Bart, Just me...that didn't sound right...I mean I sat still for a great read...which is hard for me but because you wrote it so well it was easy for me to sit still....I had better quit while I am ahead. Just sign me another crazy Canuck!  ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I have been to many such writer and poet functions and have been disappointed every time but one....with Ray Bradbury. You describe the setting very well.. |
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