All Genre Open Mic out of Bennington, December 12

Our host, Charlie Rossiter, started, as he always does, with his introductory rant/chant — “the mic is open” — then on to 2 rounds each, 1 poem each round.

Charlie put me 1st on the list & in the 1st round I read a poem, titled “Writing Crows,” that had been selected for the Poetic License exhibit in Kingston, NY in 2021 & that inspired a painting by the artist S.L. Rika. In the 2nd round, inspired by Bill’s 1st round series of Haiku & haibun, I read a haibun titled “Last Train to Clarksville” mashing up the 1966 hit by the Monkees, & a response to a photo by Mark O’Brien on his Blog about places in Clarksville, NY, 36 Views of Ononta'kahrhon. 

Francesa Sidoti read what she said was a holiday card to this group of poets a poem titled “The Snowman & the Cat;” then in her 2nd round part 2 of th holiday card to the group, memories drifting through old TV stories, memories of Marblehead.

Sheryll Bedingfield, in her 1st round, read an older, unfinished piece, titled “December” about sitting on a stone outside among the birds; in her 2nd rounds she read “Winter Reflection” inspired by her grandmother telling ghost stories.

Bill Thwing read a haibun “Poetry Powerhouse” written in Bennington VT, short prose sections with a series of Haiku on aging; for the 2nd round he got out his guitar to sing a song he had just written, to the tune of “16 Tons,” about a visit from Santa, & the magic of making toys.

Our host, Charlie Rossiter, read, in a fit of nostalgia, a stark description of the ocean, “Off season;” then in round 2, a poem titled “Reflecting on Robert Bly” with quotes from Bly’s poems.

Jim Madigan read a piece about an anti-war vigil for bombed hospitals & the human victims “At the Plaza;” later in his 2nd round he read an old poem never finished, remembering a friend remembering an ex-lover, “All But One.”  

Tom Nicotera read a memoir from childhood, “The Legs thru the Ceiling Incident,” about playing in the attic with a friend; then in his 2nd round he read one of his hiking poems, a portrait of a deer, a moment in time in “Nathan Hale State Forest.”

Naomi Bindman announced some good news before we started, that she had her memoir about her daughter that she has often read from here & at other open mics, accepted by an agent, the very agent she hoped would take her on — Congratulations! She read from the new memoir about her mother, who was killed by an intruder when Naomi, a section written yesterday, “The World is a Picture,” one excerpt in each round,  about the art in their NYC home with descriptions of some of the paintings, as a letter to her mother from her 7 year self.

& so it goes, broadcast (if that is the word) over Zoom by Charlie from Bennington, Vermont. If you would like to join this monthly open mic on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, email Charlie at charliemrossiter@gmail.com & he will send you the link.