Poetic License Reading, November 7

Mabel Lucia Smith

This was the 2nd of 2 readings by poets whose work inspired a visual artist(s) to create a piece on display along with the poem. The first reading was held in September when the exhibit was at the Fish Market Gallery in Troy; this November reading was held at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany while the exhibit was on display there. Other poets who did not have a poem in the exhibit also read their poems. A gathering of poets among the painters, as someone once wrote — or perhaps painters among the poets.

I served as MC/host of the reading & was ably introduced by artist Mabel Lucia Smith, who has a piece of visual art in the show, as “the man, the myth, the mustache.”

Pam Jacobson

The poets with poems in the show who read were Sylvia Barnard (“Stonehenge”), Pam Jacobson (“Tree Snag”), David Gonsalves (“page 22”), Mimi Moriarty (“Empty,” & also read “To My Father”), Jil Hanifan (“Mad Lark Laundry,” also read “Last Bright Day Before the Dark: Ode to November”), Rhonda Rosenheck (“All the Wonders,” also read “Earth’s Watch”), & Will Nixon (“Dancing Tulips,” also “Inquiring Minds”).

Will Nixon

The poets who read but did not have a poem in the show were Carlton Wells (a word-play sonnet, & “Wino in the Garden”), Marea Gordett (“Awaiting the Inauguration of a President”), & Frank Robinson (“Chicken,” & one beginning “Woke up this morning …”).

Visit the Poetic License website to find all the poems & the artwork the poems inspired.