Brass Tacks, July 2

This was almost the 1-year anniversary of this open mic series organized by AlbanyPoets.com, with el presidente Thom Francis presiding as host/MC. It was an all-guy lineup, in fact we were the only customers in The Low Beat tonight.

Nick Bisanz, who was the host the last time we were here, was first on the (mental) list Thom had prepared, with what he called “an airing of grievances” against recent bio-pics, & related a true story about Lou Reed heard from the lips of Billy Name; then he read the lyrics of the Roger Taylor (of Queen) “Air Heads.”

Shane, who has become a regular at this event as well as others held here at The Low Beat, read a series of short pieces from the pages of his notebook, starting with a tribute to a steak from cattle raised on his family farm, then some memories of better times, love, & the blowing of a cold wind.

I brought up the rear, beginning with an old poem from the vault “Ricard Speck” (a mass murderer from another era), “My Lucky Hat,” & a couple of short haiku-like pieces I am calling “Shards.”

Thom said that the open mic was 16 minutes & 40 seconds -- that's shorter than the readings of many featured poets, even some open mic poets who get carried away (not mentioning any names).

But come back to The Low Beat on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month for the open mic, sometimes with featured poets, 7:30PM. Details at AlbanyPoets.com.