We poem-ed and partied in the garden
With words, songs, wine, and hope.
It was a hot, sweaty afternoon in the garden. While that may sound like the opening line of an erotic romance, it was actually the setting of Sunday’s poetry slam garden party at Art Up Front Street in our fair town of Exeter here on the New Hampshire Seacoast.
The dynamic clarinet duo Fiske and Fell played us in and it was the best soundtrack you could ever ask for to start the afternoon.
I kicked things off with a few poems from the book and popped back up every once in a while to share some (brand new!) poems from my as-yet-to-be-published-or-even-scheduled-to-be-published second book.
Jessica Purdy kept things moving with some amazing verse. She brought a confidence and elegance that can only come from someone who knows their way around words.
Todd Hearon was up next (and was also the one who brought our sound system. Thanks Todd!). I first met Todd nearly a quarter century ago and he’s still the transplanted Texas cowboy-musician that he was when we first did theater together back in 2001. His voice, guitar, and harmonica filled the garden with a southern vibe that fit the hazy heat. It was wonderful to hear him do his thing.
Our third performer was Lauren WB Vermette, the current poet laureate of my hometown, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. You may have seen her on our live chat a week or so ago. (If not, you should.) Lauren, like me, tends to write shorter poems. But they are stuffed to the ceiling with wit and wisdom. And heart.
And all the while, Rose Bryant and Natalie Eve Marquis live painted some amazing stuff.
Thanks to everyone who was able to come out and share space with us. And if you couldn’t, watch this space for more live events to come!
In the meantime, subscribe to this Substack…
Buy the book…
And enjoy your weekend!
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there but please keep me in mind for future ones!