Jackson's Actions

All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire. --Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) <

This is the last segment, I promise, but I feel like I could keep writing and writing because the festival experience has opened so many avenues to other things--including the reading of the 21 books that have been added to my library in the past two weeks. Many of them essays on poetry (see my "Poetry Switch" post), and others authored by the poets I've met and seen at these events. I am not above a little star gazing, and these folks have earned their chops.

I had read the occasional poem, but did not know the bodies of work of Doty, Shapiro, Troupe, McHugh, Voigt, and Thomas Lux. So it was a great treat indeed to hear them read and sit on a panel discussing their own favorite poem (many surprises there!)

THOMAS LUX

has a strange reading style. He sort of explodes his poems in a booming voice, a burst of energy. But the work is quirky and interesting and I couldn't help but be drawn in to his strange view of the world. Later, when he was a spectator in the audience during the awards for a high school contest, he was sincerely active in supporting the kids and encouraging them. Of all the major poets present, Lux seemed to be the person who involved himself in publicly supporting the small press, the small poets, engendering the affection of all of us. I'd like to do a workshop with him, as a result. His enormous humanity radiated all over the festival. I bought his book The Cradle Place .



HEATHER MCHUGH

had the misfortune to catch a bad cold, and suffered all week while valiantly doing her job. She was on the dais, about two minutes into her reading, when I realized how absolutely brilliant and intellectual this woman is, to say nothing of wildly humorous. And this while she felt terrible. I can only imagine her in a full state of wellness. A dynamo! I look forward to reading her work (though I seriously doubt if I will understand it.) I bought The Father of the Predicaments and her essays Broken English .



QUINCY TROUPE

is a jazz-riff, a performer at the podium. He read a poem about his mother that simply blew me away. The 'rap' aspect of his work is not my taste, but he was a lovely man, friendly and easy with the participants of the festival. He had a large
and enthusiastic following all over the festival.



ALAN SHAPIRO

I confess I knew nothing of Alan until this Festival. O, the ignorance! It was a great pleasure to hear him read and his book Tantalus in Love is at the top of my reading pile. (the cover is also GORGEOUS). I was floored to realize he teaches right here in North Carolina, UNC, Chapel Hill. I purchased In Praise of the Impure besides the tantalizing Tantalus.



MARK DOTY

Got a chance to chat with Mark briefly because his photo and interview appeared in a South Florida paper which was forwarded to me by a friend who lives in Pompano. Mark suggested that I might be one of few who had seen it, but it was a wonderful front page spread on the Entertainment section and worthy of note! He read a small amount of his prose from his new book Dog Years due out soon. Stunning work. Mark lost his partner, Wally, and I understand this book is a tribute to him (and the dog they loved together). He is charming and thoroughly accessible. I enjoyed meeting him and hearing his work. And yep, I bought the books My Alexandria, and
Source.



ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT

I didn't interface personally with this sweet faced woman, but I enjoyed her reading which was smoothly and beautifully professional. I could see her academic leanings in the panel discussion (her favorite poem was "Sailing to Byzantium"...uh huh). And she had been recommended by Stephen Dunn as part of my educational future. I bought her book Messenger and her essays The Flexible Lyric. Quite by coincidence, I had already ordered a book called Poets Teaching Poets which as it turns out was edited by Ellen and Gregory Orr. So I shall her know her better soon!


Poet/photographer Blaise Allen and Ellen Bryant Voigt 2007

BARBARA HAMBY and DAVID KIRBY

a married couple, also wedded to the word, gave a dazzling reading of their wild and delirious poetry which runs across nations, across pages, across dictionaries with the abandon of free spirits in deep joy. It was stimulating! I bought David's book with the delicious title I Think I Am Going to Call My Wife Paraguay.

JEFF MCDANIEL and PATRICIA SMITH

gave their reading in a late night "pub" setting and because I was exhausted, I missed it altogether. I've seen the amazing Patricia Smith in L.A., but I was sorry to not experience Jeff McDaniel. Next time! I didn't miss much, and I may sleep for weeks, now that I'm home.

In spite of these pages of description and photos, I am at a loss to tell you how affected and inspired I was by this event. Given that I have decided to read my way into some kind of education, I couldn't have asked to better jump started. These poets are the best of our best, and it was an honor to share the air!

For more pictures, here are links to some albums by Blaise Allen (with my thanks to her for her generosity) and a few of my own. DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE OPTION
FOR SLIDESHOW TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS.

Bev's Festival album 2007

Blaise's Festival album 2007

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