Third Thursday Poetry Night, September 20

We were back at the Social Justice Center on a third Thursday with a solid list of open mic poets & the featured poet Charles Straney. Tonight’s Muse was the gone American activist poet Sam Hamill (1943 - 2018), editor of the important poet anthology Poets Against the War published by Copper Canyon Press in 2003; I read his poem “True Peace.”

Bob Sharkey was first up on the list to read “Living in the Light Blue” a sociological summary of his neighborhood in "East Latham." Marilyn Zembo Day hadn’t been here in a while & was fresh off her reading this month at Arthur’s Market, read an anaphoric political rant inspired by a prompt “Goddess Bless America” (with apologies to the other countries in the Americas), then read from the dedication in Joy Harjo’s 2015 book Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings.

Tom Bonville showed up to read the celebratory “Poems in the City,” about reading at an open mic & writing more poems the next morning. Sally Rhoades, who had been sitting on the couch here with her husband, read the tender “I Touch my Husband’s Skin.” Don Levy reprised the poem he had read in Schenectady a week ago “Meat the Beatles,” in which he puns on titles of Beatles’ songs about a news story of how John Lennon & Paul McCarthy would masturbate together, leaving us in hysterics. John Teevan made it across the river from Troy to read the title story from his book A Mysterious Evening in Vienna.

I have seen our featured poet, Charles Straney, & heard him read at a few venues over the years, notably Caffe Lena, at a couple events in Voorheesville, even at a couple WordFests & I am pleased I was finally able to bring him to the Social Justice Center to read. He has no book out, nor are his poems published in any journals or zines, so a reading like this is the only way you can get to know his work. He started off by singing the spiritual “Who was John?” then on to the poem “The Necessary Moon” & an untitled piece about the mysteries around us. Then on to a set of “farm poems,” descriptive meditations on the changing day & seasons & life, including “The Season’s Coat” (weasels), & “Porch Light,” leading to the the next group about the aging & death of family members, including “Losing Love Mid-Age,” & untitled pieces, one playing on “wont”. He ended with 3 poems on “the world we live in,” the common things we have come used to, even a visit to Lowe’s as a metaphor, & “Super Tramp” (nostalgia & the passing of time & life). Over the years I have heard some poets who were much more experienced at reading out who did not give such a carefully planned program of thoughtful, crafted poetry as poet Charles Straney did tonight.

After a break, I read my new poem incorporating lines from the late Paul Pines & Harry Staley “Reading Dead Poets Listening to Live Jazz.”

The poet known as Screamer was wearing a Boston Red Sox cap, her poem, “I Don’t Really Know Why You Felt Right to Me,” using a line from a song, was a sad break-up poem. Joan Geitz showed up to read an old poem she had forgotten she had written about the difficult, fatal struggles of her son “The Perfect Storm.” Anthony Bernini read about love in his poem titled “Turning To.” Doug Holiday is a regular here & urged us to read a book or books about Donald Trump to understand his tyranny, & read from the anthology Sister Fire the chilling poem “Finished” by Ai in response to the current scandals about public officials & the abuse of women. The last 2 readers were both named Samuel/Sam, beginning with Samuel Weinstein who did a long rambling performance piece playing on the ditty “Roses are Red…” Then on to Sam T. who ended the night with another performance piece, this one short & surreal.

We are at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY each third Thursday of the month, starting at 7:30PM for an open mic with a featured reader, a local, regional or national poet, for a large or small donation that helps support poetry programming & the work of the Social Justice Center. Please join us.