I will be doing some poetry at a very lively open mic session in a local cafe called Ellies (107th and Hale). I have done this open mic before. I tend to go once a year, usually around this time. What inspires me, I don’t know, but I find it invigorating and harrowing all at the same time.
Invigorating because I really enjoy reading aloud. It all started with a friend of my grandmother who had classes in dramatic reading. She worked with business people and babies, I being the latter at the time. I never forgot the lessons or feeling of delivering a good piece.
Harrowing because many of the people at this Open Mic are polished spoken word poets. They can work from memory (I cannot), they have a lot of good material ( I have a lot of poems, but most are about dementia, rants about smoking or things that pissed me off) and they have street cred because they do this a lot ( I am like a plant, I bloom once a year).
So, all that to say, IF you don’t have anything to do tomorrow night, come and see a really good show. It starts at 7 pm and I have no idea when Lucky the MC will fit me in. He tends to keep his show lively by mixing the new folks in with people he knows that have good delivery. Fair warning – some of the poets do very adult subjects. Last time, humor mixed with a very descriptive and vigorous sex life that had us all cracking up.
You can see me do my thing for a poem or two. But if you are otherwise engaged, I will be posting the poems next week for your reading enjoyment. I don’t want to ruin the surprise by doing it now.
Check out Ellie’s – here’s their web address – http://elliescafe.com/calendar/
Here’s one of the poems I performed – I hope you enjoy it.
Out on the Internet
Love grows cloaked in mystery
When protected by anonymity
Deep cozy in my room I dare
To let my horn tooting become a blare
You say you’re seeking a baker
But yesterday I posted that I was an undertaker
From my comfy chair I stare
At so many hearts clamoring to be ensnared
Tomorrow I’ll be a gourmet chef
Who can’t take your phone calls because I’m deaf
So many characters to be
So many sites to see
I’m a well-practiced identity thief
Posing as a fire chief
Perhaps I’ll be rich beyond belief
Owning mountains of diamonds and gold
Yet we can’t meet eye to eye
Because I am terminally shy
In fantasy bedecked
In a place where ego blooms uncontrolled
You’re blinded to any defect
Delusions grow unchecked
Electronic catfish swim wild and free
Charm and truth go on a spree
Fantasy and truth make a digital witches brew
In a media that is profoundly blind
You think that I am a good find
But it’s only true
In the electronic stew
Called the Internet
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