Third Thursday Poetry Night, January 15

It was a full house tonight, but only 8 read in the open mic, most came to hear the featured performer Poetyc Visionz. But first I invoked the Muse, tonight the spirit of recently-gone Michael Rutherford, by reading one of his poems from his 1973 chapbook Meat is My Business (The Conspiracy Press, Albany, NY).

Tonight we did the open mic first & the first poet up was Richard Propp, who said he was inspired by the last reading here in December & was new at writing poetry; he read a tender memoir/love poem “Legs.” Amy McVeigh was back, read 2 poems, the recently written “Time Managed Differently” & a sad poem about North Adams “Boarded.” Jessica Rae read the tender poem “If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda, then reprised her lyrical description “Snow.” Illiptical made a rare appearance here to perform 2 pieces, a new one “U” playing on the language of math, physics & metaphysics, then a piece thinking about remembering the Holocaust, & his grandfather.

Avery read his new poem written today “& The Music Played,” began slow then speeded up & was by before we could blink. Brian Dorn’s poem “Pitfalls” was in 3 parts, 3 characters. Just slipping in the door Maria Diotte read from a free-flow journal entry written on New Year’s Day. I ended the open mic with an older poem “My Advice (to Myself).”

Our featured poet, Poetyc Visionz, has been part of the local Nitty Gritty Slam team & a champion Slam poet in his own rite. He said he started writing poetry when he was about 15 & started performing when he was 20. He began with “It’s Amazin’” celebrating the power of the Word, then continued on to lies & truth with “Hear Truth,” & to another piece pondering what is Love. “Our Nightmare My Dream” was a twisting, turning exploration of “darkness” & school & success & reality. He said the next piece was one of his own favorites, in which he finds 7s everywhere, ending with a quote from Psalm 82. Referencing Nina Simone & the riots in Ferguson he proclaimed “I Am Not Black” considering the subtle shades of skins in the politics of racism. He ended with a commentary on our “Digital Chains,” our dependence upon technology, & our value as a human. His work is rhythmic, joyful, filled with word play & positive.

Every third Thursday we gather for poetry — an open mic with a featured poet — at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY, at 7:30P for a modest donation (or in immodest one if you’ve got it & want to support poetry programs & the Social Justice Center). Join us to listen or read or do both.