Gloucester Writers Center: Howard Kogan, August 7

When I heard that Howard Kogan was going to be reading his poetry at the Gloucester Writers Center, I thought, that’s a good excuse to return to Gloucester, but as someone who knows me well said, “Dan, you don’t need an excuse to go to Gloucester!” True - it is one of my favorite places on Earth.

Howard Kogan, right

Howard Kogan used to be an active member of peer writing workshops & open mics in the Capital Region of New York until he & his wife Libby moved some years ago to Massachusetts to the area around Worcester. I am a great fan of his poetry which is easily accessible, blessed with humor & gentle wisdom — but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The reading included the monthly GWC open mic & I’ve always enjoyed being there when I’m in town & sharing my work with the fine writers who live on Cape Ann. The host is local poet Bob Whalen.

First on the sign-up sheet was Isaac Ferrini with a meditative, philosophical essay that he wrote for admission to Boston U.

Mike Cangemi described himself as a “lyricist,” but read part of a family memoir (with the names changed) of an uncle who served in both WWI & WWII.

David Newton read a prose poem titled “Shadow Reflection Disbelief Belief” based on an interview with Ada Limon, about being raised an atheist.

Marrelle Sabbag read an excerpt from a prose piece, “Mountain,” about teenagers on a hike where one falls off a ledge, not sure where that is going.

Dick Lourie read from his laptop from a book-length poem about radio, the segment from September 1939, with a memoir of Jack Benny.

On previous visits to the GWC for the open mic I'd heard Bob Guttman read; tonight it was a piece with a long title that I did not completely get, starting "Grimm's Fairy Tales for the World, or ..." which was on polo & political debates.

Rachael read a piece about having a baby 3 years ago, leaving a violent partner, & in a trial the prosecutor said, “she’s no ballerina,” — a fascinating exchange.

My piece was the recently written poem about The Bomb, “A Poem for August 6.”

Henry Ferrini, the Executive Director of the Gloucester Writers Center, read from Vincent Ferrini’s (here in Vincent's former home & frame shop) Ten Pound Light (The Church Press, 1975) #9 & #11, noting that today is “Light House Day,” Vincent speaking to us from beyond, I gather.

Our host, Bob Whalen, finished up the open mic list, a piece for Hiroshima, but viewed through the news of the 1960s, titled “What Good Are Tears?”

Howard Kogan, the night’s featured reader, read from his recently published collection of poems, Before I Forget (Square Circle Press, 2023). He has 2 previous collections from the same press, Indian Summer (2011) & A Chill in the Air (2016). As I read through the new book when I got it a few weeks ago I recognized a number of poems that Howard had read out before he moved away, & hearing him read tonight a selection of 9 poems in his gravelly, laconic voice, still tinged with Brooklyn, I thought I recognized other poems previously heard — or, perhaps, it was just being in Howard’s rabbinic presence. I’ll buy whatever his next book of poetry is, & know that he will keep at it.   

Check out the website for the Gloucester Writers Center, attend their fine events, & make a donation to support this important Temple of Writing on Cape Ann.