Father's Hardware

Daddy had a shotgun
shotgun had a shell
shell filled with powder and shot
powder and shot packed tight
tight against plastic casing
plastic casing loaded in chamber
chamber of grey, molded, shaped, metal assembled
metal assembled into instrument of death
Death Pointed at Shep
Shep looked at Death
and yawned.

- DA Boucher

Jongleur Poetry Series, January 2010

January 9, 2010

Jongleur Poetry Series
Lawrence Heritage State Park
Visitors Center
Corner of Jackson & Canal Streets
Lawrence, MA
Doors @ 6:00pm

Hosted by Robin Linn & D. A. Boucher

Featuring Poets: Regie Gibson, Diana Saenz, Albert Turner Jr, & Natelie Young

Open Mic follows featured readers.

Information: Robin Linn, poemmeister (at) gmail.com, or D. A. Boucher, dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Beat Night at the Press Room -

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Beat Night
Press Room, Upstairs
77 Daniel St
Portsmouth, NH
6:30pm doors
$3.00
Hosted by Larry Simon

4 features with musical accompaniment & an open mic, what more could you want?

Food & Drink? Yah, they got that, too, & fabulous Poets for company.

Shave Me

In desperate need of a shave
Face and neck
itch with scruff,
Stiff fluff,
And not enough
For a beard or ‘stache.

Grizzled visage
Of an old man
But I’m not dated
And life sated,
As once berated,
Without fur I’m young.

Vizzled grisage
Of spirit
Corners lined,
Years refined,
And age undefined;
An Immortal Being.

Crankshafts, Sparkplugs, Grease, & Apple Pie

For the Highway Poets, Peddlar, et al

(Poet Noet: any resemblance persons living or dead is purely coincedental)


Mother was a Biker
Out on Highway One
All the Angels liked her
Leading every run.
Mother was a Biker
Modified choppers and soccer
All the Angels spiked her
Number one goal tending blocker.
Mother was a Biker
Mother was a Biker
Stood about six foot four
All the Angels piked her
Left ‘em panting…”no…more…”
Mother was a Biker
Regent of Highway One
All the Angels wouldn’t strike her
Known to carry a gun.
Mother was a Biker
Mother was a Biker
Stamped by a mom tattoo,
All the Angels names in Rikers,
& Prayers for the crew.
Mother was a Biker
Out on highway fun
All the Angels liked her
Leading every one.
Mother was a Biker
Mother was a Biker


& Father wasn't so bad himself.

Brew'd Awakening Open Mic Events

Brew'd Awakening Open Mic, 1st and 3rd Thursday Poetry Open Mic & Slam (Hosted by Anthony Febo)
2nd and 4th Thursday- Acoustic Open Mic (Hosted by Justin Burn of Thunderpants Johnson and Reverend JJ fame)

Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus is a great little place to hang out with friends, bring or meet a date, surf the net or read a book. We are cozy and have that 'old favorite sweatshirt' feel. Our employees are social and entertaining. The music you hear during the day will depend somewhat on their mood. If you request something and we have it we can play it as well.


Hours
Monday - Friday 6:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 7:00am - 7:00pm

We are not like your typical chain coffeehouse. We do not want to be quite honestly.

We may not fit for everyone and we are cool with that. Our clientele is very diverse from the young college crowd to the seniors living at Father John.

If interested in playing on Saturday nights please email us at info (at) rewdawakening.com

Contact Information
 Phone: 978 454 BREW (2739)
Current Address: 61 Market St
Lowell, MA 01852

Website: http://www.brewdawakening.com

On the Cusp of Seasons (thoughts from an alleged curmudgeon)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...
I'll be home for...
Dashing through the...
Horse knows the...
Away in a manger...
Oh, tannenbaum....
Deck the halls with...
Silver and gold...
Dinner's in the...
Chestnuts roasting on an...
Oh, silent night...
Here comes...
t'was the night before...
It's beginning to look a lot like....

Winter's Solstice,
longest daylight,
evening's darkness,
Revelers in torchlight;
singing merry songs,
stepping forebear's dance,
righting epoch's wrongs,
rekindling romance.

I went to the village,
I walked in the town,
I knelt down in the city,
filled with sadness and pity,
& prayed, God upturn the frown.

Surrounded by pretty lights,
sugary, holiday bites,
faces ruddy and gay,
toys dancing ballet,
well hung men in tights.

I went to the sylvan,
I walked in the wood,
I knelt down in the forest,
the lap of the Goddess,
& gave thanks for all that's good.

Ah, seasonal delights,
mindset flies with kites,
impromptu gay ballet,
celebrating solstice day,
in my bright white, tights.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...
I'll be home for...
Dashing through the...
Horse knows the...
Away in a manger...
Oh, tannenbaum....
Deck the halls with...
Silver and gold...
Dinner's in the...
Chestnuts roasting on an...
Oh, silent night...
Here comes...
t'was the night before...
It's beginning to look a lot like....


- DA Boucher

Poetry Corner, 2010 Schedule

Here's the up to date schedule of features for 2010 Poetry Corner. Several dates are still open ... contact me if you are interested in a feature slot:

 

UU Church Chapel

58 Lowell St

Nashua, NH

8pm, $3.00

 

Hosted by Doc Cote

Jan. 8; Beau Williams & Friend
Feb. 12; Donald Wellman & TBA
Mar. 12;
Ap. 9; Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici
May 14; Valerie Raudonis & TBA
Jun. 11;
Jul. 9;
Aug. 13; Peddlar & Friends
Sept. 10;
Oct. 8; D. A. Boucher & TBA
Nov. 12;
Dec. 10; Doc Cote & TBA


For Booking 411, email: dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Tempe, Arizona Haiku & Tanka 05/31/06

Crossing against lights

Angry horn sounds, “hey, asshole!”

Yes, I’m a Masshole..



Thank you very much,

From Lawtown and we don’t need

No stinking crosswalks!



Look over golf course

New homes from, Superstitions

to Silly Mountain;

quiet spot to smoke ganja,

write, and break in new Bud bomb.



Small desert mountain

Phoenix suburbs encircle

Short hike to summit

Trail relatively tidy;

Plastic bottles litter peak.



Sign on store window

In Tempe, Arizona,

"No Handguns Allowed"

Poetry This Week

Thursday, December 3, 2009 
First & Third Thursday Open Mic
Brewed Awakenings
Merrimac St
Lowell, MA
6pm, FREE

Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5, 2009 
2009 NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam
SNHU
More info: bridgepoetry @ gmail.com
www.slamnews.com/northbeast


Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Zion Hill Open Mic
Stone Church
Newmarket, NH
6pm, FREE
Hosted by Beau Williams

Friday, Decmeber 11, 2009
 Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel
58 Lowell St
Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00
Hosted by Doc Cote

Turkeys

Far away from my land
and her suprior race
stranded on an island
lonely out in space.
Surrounded by beings
and inferior minds,
decryings, decreeings,
sticking it to behinds.
     Standing in a cornfield
     waving arms to the sun...
Inner limits expanded
crushing reality undone
urbane missions abandoned,
life's no more homespun.
Sent a message via satellite
beaming t. v. reversed,
should arrive in a fortnight
piggy-backed on Fred Durst.
     Standing in a cornfield
     waving arms to the sun...
     Standing in a cornfield
     waving arms to the sun...
Carving up a cornfield
giant arms in the sun
indicating a landing field;
come in on the run!
Standing in a cornfield
waving arms to the sun
location's revealed
wating for the Mutha-Ship to come...
waiting for the Mutha-Ship to come...
     Standing in a cornfield...
     Standing in a cornfield...
     Standing in a cornfield...

     Standing in a cornfield...
     waiting for the Mutha-Ship to come...

     (if you carve it, they will come)

North Beast Regional Poetry Slam Competition - December 4, 5

2009 NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam Competition to be held at SNHU on December 4 and 5 - Eight poetry slam teams from all over the northeastern U.S. will converge for a two-day poetry festival, being held for the first time in the granite state

MANCHESTER, NH-- On December 4th and 5th, NH will host the 3rd Annual NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam competition.  The NorthBEAST Regional is a competitive poetry event held this year on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. This is the biggest poetry slam event ever hosted in New Hampshire and the first time that the regional competition has been held here! Nationally registered slam poetry venues from New England and beyond are invited to compete for bragging rights, poetic glory, and a spot at the 2010 National Poetry Slam. The event is co-sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University and the NH Writer's Project.

On Friday, December 4 poetry teams from all over the northeastern U.S. deliver all the tricks of storytelling, theatre, stand-up comedy, and cold hard poetry to wheedle points from judges selected from the audience. Eight teams from all over the northeastern United States will compete in two 4x4 bouts, one at 7pm and the second at 9pm in the Walker Auditorium in Robert Frost Hall on the SNHU campus. 

Then, on Saturday, December 5 there will daytime workshops and open mics to try your hand at performance poetry yourself. Finally, on Saturday night, the top eight poets from the previous night's events will battle for the NorthBEAST 2009 individual title!

Tickets to both night's events will be available at the door for $5 per night (with a 2-night pass available on Friday night for $8).

About NorthBEAST
The northeastern United States have a great number of poetry slam venues all concentrated relatively close together with almost all of the New England states sending a team (and in some cases, multiple teams) to the National Poetry Slam each year.  As a result, the northeastern teams have a tight sense of community and are very supportive of one another when the competition goes to a national level.  Out of this was born the nickname 'NorthBEAST', as, not only does the northeast boast a high number of teams, but they are also considered a force to be reckoned with on the national poetry slam scene.  This will now be the 3rd year that the NorthBeast has held a regional competition as part of a process called 'Win and You're In', which helps narrow down what teams will secure spots at the National Poetry Slam.  The last two years, the event has been held in Boston, but this year, for the first time ever, the event will be held in the granite state.

About Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry, putting a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying, and how they're saying it. Nearly every state in the U.S. has venues that host regular poetry slams.  Judges are selected at random from the audience and asked to rate each piece (using a point scale of 0 to 10) based on the content and performance of the poem.  Poets have 3 minutes to perform their original work, and there are point deductions for going over.  Friday night will be a team competition, which may featuring 'team pieces' in which multiple poets perform a poem together. 

For more information on this event, check out our website: slamnews.com/northbeast

 

Black Friday at The Bridge Cafe - Slam Free or Die Poetry

MANCHESTER, NH – On Friday, November 27th, the Bridge Café in Manchester, NH continues its popular open mic poetry series, Slam Free or Die, produced by Russian Roulette Productions. The night includes a poetry open mic session with 15 spots with sign-ups starting between 6 and 6:30pm, open mic beginning around some time after 7pm. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early – the nights have been drawing standing-room-only crowds. This night we will have an open mic and a feature by Erich Hagan.

About Erich Hagan
Erich Hagan grew up on a dead end street in a part of Boston its' many fine institutions advise visitors to avoid. He's concerned himself with electronics and stories since he was very small, and he discovered the rhythmic potential of organized ideas through rap music on the radio in the late 80's. One day, he went to a poetry open mic and grunted some rhymes at Cambridge's literate elite, and despite having no formal writing education beyond a solid public high school English program, it ended up going pretty well. Through the trial and error of public speech he's consolidated the compulsion underlying all of his imaginary labors: the objective and engaged telling of the things he tells himself, to you.

Erich was a member of the 2007 Providence poetry slam team and represented the Cantab Lounge at the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam, although he loses competitions a lot and he's not smart at strategy. When he isn't writing in the third person, he's a freelance audio engineer and a volunteer speaker for a sexual assault advocacy program, all of which mean a lot of different and important things to him.

About Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry, putting a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. Nearly every state in the U.S. has venues that host regular poetry slams – the Bridge Café is the only venue in NH that offers a poetry slam. This year will only be the fourth time that NH has ever been represented in the 22 year history of the National Poetry Slam.

About Open Mic
Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is a series of open mic nights for poets and spoken-word artists with slam competitions being held once a month during slam season (which is September through April); sign-ups begin between 6 and 6:30pm. Come and enjoy the delicious food and coffee of the Bridge Cafe,  located at the corner of Bridge and Elm at 1117 Elm Street, Manchester, NH. For more information about the Bridge Café, call 603.647.9991

There is a $3 cover charge. Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is produced by Russian Roulette Productions. For more information, contact e-mail bridgepoetry@gmail.com, call 603-858-3286 or visit www.facebook.com/slamfreeordie on the Web.

Early One Windy Afternoon At Crane Beach

crow murder roosts &
geese fly south, black against blue;
distant jet liner.

green blades bend in wind
sand blows, drifts, like winter snow
hides discarded cans.

cold atlantic churns
sea foam races up beach front
trees buried in dunes
revealed by tide's erosion;
green fishing net root tangled.

sea recedes crashing,
zephyrs wipe clean footprints as
auto exits park.

Jack McCarthy at Bridge Street Cafe

SLAM FREE OR DIE presents the 2nd annual DEAD AUTHORS SLAM and HALLOWEEN OPEN MIC

Special feature by performance poetry legend JACK McCARTHY

Slam Free or Die at the Bridge Cafe in Manchester, NH , will present a special evening of poetry on Friday, Oct. 30 to celebrate Halloween.

The festivities will include a Spooky Halloween Open Mic, the second annual Dead Author's Slam, and a special feature by performance poetry legend, Jack McCarthy. Doors open at 6pm. There will be a $5 cover for this evening.

The sign-up sheet for the open mic goes on the counter around 6pm and the open mic itself will begin as soon as the list is full. As this is one of our most popular events all year, it is recommended that people arrive early.



About the Dead Authors Slam
The "Dead Authors Slam" will be a be a standard 4x4 team competition, in which competing teams of four members each will face off. Unlike a typical slam, however, this one will have a special 'Halloween' them.

Costumes and originality rules will be relaxed, so that participating poets can slam as their favorite dead authors. The field of material will not be limited to poets -- authors of any kind and musicians can also serve as inspiration.

Teams for this slam are organized by cause of death: Suicide, Murder, Tragic Mishap, and Natural Causes. Just to give a taste of what's on deck, some of the authors already signed up to slam are: Sylvia Plath, Jim Carroll, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Allen Ginsberg and a number of other deceased authors. This is the ultimate showdown to decide who is the baddest scribe in the boneyard!.

About Jack McCarthy
Jack McCarthy (www.standuppoet.net) was a member of the Boston team at the 1996 National Poetry Slam, and was an engaging minor character in the feature film "Slamnation," which documented those proceedings. He was a member of the Worcester team at the 2000 National Poetry Slam, where he finished as the 10th ranked individual in the country. The Boston Phoenix has named him "Best Standup Poet," the Boston Poetry Awards "Best Love Poet," and the Cambridge Poetry Awards "Best Spoken Word" and "Best Humorous Poet ."

The Boston Globe says, "In the poetry world, he's (Jack McCarthy) a rock star." McCarthy has published "Grace Notes," two chapbooks ("Actual Grace Notes" and "Too Old to Make Excuses (But Still Young Enough to Make Love)"), a 60-minute cassette tape (Poems for Hannah), and a CD (Breaking Down Outside a Gas Station). A major book, "Say Goodnight, Grace Notes", was released in 2003 by EM Press. His work has appeared in a number of anthologies, including The Spoken Word Revolution.

Pointillist's Vision (or What's the Point?)

one

Beautiful landscapes
snow capped majesties, valleys,
glowing horizons,
windblown, thundering,
rolling, silent tide seascapes;
flora, fauna dance,
unseen, unfelt, breeze,
whispering, frozen moments.
Dazzling sunlit wood,
glittering rivers & brooks,
life roaming clear, pure, rapids.
Exquisite murals,
hawks soars, amber waves of grain,
unbounded freedom.

two

Beautiful urbscape
wind blown, feathered, moused, permed locks,
capon, wolf, & sod,
snow capped 'stache & beard.
Queens, kings, mix mingle, waltz, trick,
flora swing arranged;
whispering, forward movements.
Glittering steel knights,
dazzling men & college boys,
clean, pure, wine & martinis.
Life roams exquisite,
lads mince around disco with
unbounded queerness.

three

Beautiful artscapes
from distance, take steps closer,
to nose length from piece,
scenes rearrange, move,
colours entwine, blend, blur, blob,
thick layers revealed.
Prime, second, third, pure,
jumbled pigments, confuzzed shades,
brush-tip dots, splashes,
dribbles, & swaths of horsehair.
Discordant cacophony
& fey harmony
work together creating
pointillist's vision.

Kerouac's Word Music

NPR just published a treat for poetry and indie music fans. If you know/love Jack Kerouac's poetry, you can now listen to his work set to music before the album release, October 20.

Listen to Jack Kerouac's words set to music by Jay Farrar of Sun Volt and Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie.

New Hampshire Poetry This Week

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Beat Night
Press Room-Upstairs
77 Daniel St.
Portsmouth, NH
6:30pm - 9pm, $3.00

Hosted by Larry Simon

Friday, October 16, 2009

Slam Free or Die
Open Mic Poetry @ the Bridge
1117 Elm St.
Manchester, NH
6pm, $3.00

Hosted by the Colonel & Roller Girl

Summer Comes Grudgingly to a Close

Fern like fingers trace window pane

curling around, fanning, obscures view

street below shimmers in dawn

asphalt's whitish-grey veneer

due to reason of rime.

Breath catches on cold

hangs in air smokelike

chill breeze sneaks down neck

bundle-zip up tighter

& scurry to frosty auto.

Leaves crunch underfoot

crystals breaking, shattering,

abandoned spiderweb sparkles,

frozen dewdrops catching rays

& transforms light to rainbows.

Frost coats the windshield

grudgingly scrape icy film away

motor pumps exhaust into air

inhale deeply a big nosefull

& cough it back to nature.

Auto warms along dark streets

glimmering in early day

horizon brightens with pink-orange

reflecting on shiny puddles

miniature skating rinks.

Frigid temps signals summers end

as autumn pushes heavily through door

demanding entry into New England,

time's ripe to unpack warmer clothes

& reluctantly pack away shorts, tees, & trunks.

Goodbye season of fun in the sun,

hello season of fun in the leaves,

soon to be season of fun in the snow,

followed by seaon of fun in the flowers;

four seasons in which to rejoice & be glad.

Halleluiah!

Call for Entry: Astrophil Press Poetry Prize

Astrophil Press is launching "The Astrophil Press Poetry Prize for First or Second Book of Poetry," to be judged by Eleni Sikelianos.

From their announcement: "The purpose of this prize is to make available a book of poetry from a new and exciting writer. We encourage all manner of poetry, but have particular interest in work that is adventurous, playful, insightful, and pushes boundaries of convention."

Entries will be accepted until January 1, 2010.

To enter or for information please visit http://astrophilpress.com/index.php?id=14

Call for Entry: Cider Press Review 2009 Book Award

Cider Press Review (CPR) is now accepting manuscripts for the 2009 Annual Book Award.

The CPR Book Award offers $1000 and publication for a full-length book of poetry. The judge for the 2009 award is David St. John. Manuscripts must be postmarked or date-stamped between September 1 and November 30. Entry fee $25. All entrants will receive a copy of the winning book and a one-issue subscription to Cider Press Review.

Visit http://ciderpressreview.com/bookaward for information.

But first, a word from our new sponsor;

by D A Boucher

Doctor Banner, where
do you get cash to purchase
John Doe plain new duds?

Query, Mister Kent,
when you change in booth or door,
what happens to suit?

Dianna, my dear,
seeking gown to match lasso,
or special one, p'raps?
Billy, Robin, Under-Dog,
Aqua-Man, Tarzan, Shazzaam!

On Patrol or Town,
Milt the Taylor, Clothier
of Super Heros.

Milt Berg, the Taylor,
Gotham Center Square; for all
Casual, Formal,
Work, needs, Milt the Taylor, thee
Super Hero Clothier.

What's in a Name?

In a time so querious,
what's in a name? asked one...

David, so serious.
Dave, so silly fun.
Davey, so boyishly delerious.
D, so on the run.

Alan, so serious.
Al, so mannishly won.
Alley, so gayley cheerious.
A, so tail of a pun.

David Alan, sooo serious.

D. A. so well undone.
soo well undone.

Cheers!

Ode for Mrs. Hippy

by DA Boucher

Saran Wrap cocoon,

Violin bowed by a spoon,

lyrical movements,

body blends with instruments,

singing from dark side of moon.

Singing from dark side

of moon tales, wrapped in black hide,

cotton & oil,

feed back soundtrack with foil;

grey day roller coaster ride.

Grey day roller coast...

er, ride the hill, eggs & toast,

beautiful offspring

playing, dancing, frolicking,

chowing down at big pig roast.

Chowing down at big

pig roast, smoked slow on hot rig,

chill breeze embraces

whooping children run races;

of life, taking long, deep swig.

Of life, taking long,

deep swig, feeling inner song

bursting out, off notes,

on, opposing, floating motes,

sweet melodic tune voiced strong.

Sweet melodic tune

voiced strong, sung to Earth, Stars, & Moon

pulls tides of oceans,

conjured up from emotions

ripping Saran Wrap cocoon.

- FINI -

Poetry Corner (Nashua, NH)

Upcoming Poetry Corner 2009 Features

Oct. 9, Melanie Chicoine & Marshall Harvey

Nov. 13, Juliana Weile & Friends

Dec. 11, Doc Cote & TBA

2010 Poetry Corner

Poetry Corner is now taking feature bookings for 2010. For Booking 411, contact D. A. Boucher, 978-975-4438, EMAIL dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Jan. 8; Beau Williams & TBA

Feb. 12; Donald Wellman & TBA

Mar. 12;

Ap. 9; Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici

May 14; Valerie Raudonis & TBA

Jun. 11;

Jul. 9;

Aug. 13; Peddlar & Friends?

Sept. 10;

Oct. 8; D. A. Boucher & TBA

Nov. 12;

Dec. 10; Doc Cote & TBA

Performance: One Man Play by Tom Daley

Tom Daley will be performing a one-man version of his play “Every Broom and Bridget—Emily Dickinson and Her Servants” on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 2:30 pm at The Chelmsford Public Library, Main Branch, 5 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824. There is no admission charge. The library’s telephone number is (978) 256-5521.

For directions, visit the Chelmsford, MA library website.

The show is co-sponsored by the Lowell Poetry Network

HOLE LOVE COURTING ROMANCE

Quartet for Violin/Fiddle, Viola/Ve’ola, Upright Bass/Bass Guitar, & Viol/Ve’ol

by DA Boucher


Lost down rabbit hole

Chasing that elusive vole

Elaborate beauty, Le Ho,

Transforming, shifting, evol…

…ving from first hel-o;

Cue quartet featuring Ve’ol.

(strings build, swirl)

Inebriated on Court Gin,

Traditional Rog Tonic,

Dancing to Ringo Cut

Present Cuto Ring;

Reciprocal coi grunt,

Whirling, slurring, go tin cur!

(strings disconnect, oppose)

Earlier era, Roman C. E,

Worried not of atomic ram-cone,

Healthier diet, romane, C.

Incantations cast by Ma Crone,

Woven spells crano me;

Smart, norm grin on face.

(strings reconnect, quiet, build)

No escape from rabbit hole

Forever chase that elusive vole,

Exquisite beauty, Le Ho,

Transforming, growing, evol…

…ving, encircling he-lo;

Cue quartet featuring Ve’ol.

(strings swirl, build)

Cue quartet for…

Joyful, lost dancing down rabbit hole

Chasing that elusive…vole…

That elusive…love.

(strings swirl, fly, fade)

Poetry: Pineapple Dreams

I am Morphous Man...
...suspended in red jello.
Raspberry jiggles,
holds toes, fingers, firm,
immobile, floating,
extremities drift.
White porcelain &
silver fountainhead fixtures
shimmer cleanliness;
hot, massaging jets cool off,
two hundred litres on ice.
Isolation Soak,
cherries, peaches, bananas...
...so wish they were me.

Save the Date - 7 November 2009

Tom Daley will be performing a one-man version of “Every Broom and Bridget—Emily Dickinson and Her Servants” on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 2:30 pm at The Chelmsford Public Library, Main Branch, 5 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824.

There is no admission charge. The library’s telephone number is (978) 256-5521.

For directions, visit the Chelmsford (MA) library website.

Co-sponsored by the Lowell Poetry Network

Poetry Writers Workshop

One-day Poetry writing workshop sponsored by the Lowell Poetry Network
Saturday, September. 26, 2009 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Mogan Cultural Center, 40 French St. Lowell
Cost: $35.00 cash due at workshop
with a focus on revising poems
Refreshments with lite food fare served.

To register contact Janet Stevenson: JANETIZE (at) aol.com

Poetry This Week

There's no Poetry Open Mics in Nashua, Portsmouth, or Manchester, NH this week.

If you really need a Poetry Open Mic fix, there's plenty in Cambridge, MA - so check out www.bostonpoet.com or Ibbitson Street Press for Poetry Publications.

Freedom

Freedom, freedom, freedom,
Freedom from secret's weight
shoulders held high
lightened from lying load.
Eyes are open & clear
barn doors are unsecured,
fat, toothy, & drooling inhabitants
let loose to roam freely.

Once dangerous beasts
are powerless over me;
they're treacherous only to those
who deny their existence.
They prod, peel, & poke at
blind Peter's subconscious
aging once young & vibrant soul;
visage takes on that of dying.

Sweet pets remain,
kind, gentle, warm-fuzzies,
joyfully open & gay,
gathered 'round grey matter.
No more regretful secrets
or shamed, bold faced lies;
visage takes on that of
a young & vibrant soul.

Freed, freed, freed,
Freed from secret's weight
lightened shoulders held high
& heavy load of lies forgotten.
Mind is open & clear
thoughts & feelings unsecured;
fat, toothy, drooling deceits
are loose & roaming freely....

...watch yourself.

Ah, what a relief
I feel so much better now.

Art Networking Site: Artaculous

artaculous.com is an international and brand new art networking startup, so we're looking for
lot's of ambitious ARTISTS / GROUPS / LABELS / ENTERPRISES and ART LOVERS!

We would like to invite you to our rapidly growing and free art networking, presentation PROMOTION and DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM at artaculous.com


artaculous.com is operated by artists for artists and there you will get the right set of tools, unlimited filespace and the opportunity to present YOUR ART / SERVICE / WORK publicly or on a private basis, as well as conducting an active networking with other artists, doers or interested parties.

If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to contact us. Have fun!

Best wishes - Your artaculous Team

(c) 2009 artaculous Ltd.
- http://artaculous.com/

New: Follow us on twitter via http://twitter.com/artaculous and spread the word!!

ONLINE SCHOOL OF POETRY

The Online School of Poetry offers a wide variety of classes & workshops.

To find out more, visit http://onlineschoolofpoetry.org or contact one of the Founder/Instructors, Tom Daley, a fine Poet in his own write.: tom (AT) onlineschoolofpoetry.org.

Tom is also available for one-on-one tutorials in poetry, memoir writing, and editing manuscripts.

If you're interested, please contact Tom at tom.daley2 (at) verizon.net

A Message from Boston Poet dot Com

Dear Poets and Poetry Lovers,

This week we've added readings in Acton and Concord.

This week, bp.com did another mini-review of Club Passim at Harvard Square. More poets should look into that venue, the sound system alone is a beautiful experience.

BTW, When you open the calendar, http://bostonpoet.com/calendar_78.html click on a venue.
A pop up will provide you with more information. Click again on the underlined Address link for an area map. It's too easy!

Complete www.bostonpoet.com calendar

Poetry Events & Announcements, September 14

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Beat Night
Press Room-Upstairs
77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH
6:30pm, $3.00

Hosted by Larry Simon

One Hour of Features accompanied by music & One Hour of Open Mic action sans-music (unless the band decides to stay).

If you have contact information for this Open Mic, please send it to:

D. A. Boucher, dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Slam Free or Die
Open Mic Poetry @ the Bridge
Bridge Cafe
1117 Elm Street, Manchester, NH
6:00pm, $3.00

Hosted by the Colonel & Roller Girl

This is the Home Court of the New Hampshire Slam Team & Hub of the NH Slam World.
Forget what you know, seen, or heard about Slams, this stuff is good eatin', & sure to keep you awake at your table cheering for all the Performers... even during the open mic, which has limited slots, get there early.

October 2 - 4, 2009

Harry's Harvest Ball
Harry's Hill - Starks, ME

The list of scheduled performers continues to grow, here's a partial list;
Grasshopper Collective, Boston Hoop Troop, Lazzlo, Stoned Mountain Boyz, Da Butcha 'shoppe, & the Brew.

For a complete list of acts & how to purchase your ticket to this phenominal festival, go to

www.harryshill.com

Thirteen (Unprescribable Neurotic's Narcotic)

Traipse 'round place merrily

after hours revelry

mess about sterily

late night delivery

intoxicated on poetry

Please, don't feed vagrant beggers

they'll only hold alpha keggers

party loudly until dawn

& trash your front lawn

with empties of Bud, Blues, & Yeggers.

My name is Earl

lookit my purty curl

I want to be a girl;

here comes my friend, Burl,

see my winkie unfurl.

I don't understand the looks

cuz I don't devour books,

I'm not a literature freak

my brain has a leak

or the info is stolen by crooks.

Feed vagrant beggers

& they'll hold alpha keggers,

loud parties 'til dawn,

empties tossed across front lawn;

field of Buds, blues, & Yeggers.

Traipse 'round merrily

after hours revelry

mess 'bout sterily

call late night delivery

flyin' high on Poetry,

Flying High on

Poetry.

C'mon, get high with me,

c'mon fly high with me

c'mon, write some Poetry

c'mon read your Poetry

c'mon, share the imagery

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon with me

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, get high on

Poetry.

That's what it be, Poetry.

Yah.

I feel better already.

The Cat Piano

The Cat Piano from PRA on Vimeo.

September 11 Poetry Event

Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel
58 Lowel Street
Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00

Hosted by Doc Cote

Feature: Eighth Anniversary of September 11, 2009 Commemoration
----------------------------
DIRECTIONS TO POETRY CORNER FROM NORTH MAIN STREET, NASHUA, NH

Unitarian Universalist Church Chapel, 58 Lowell St, Nashua, NH

At North End of Main Street in Nashua - at the top of "Library Hill", there's a Fork in the & road big intersection.

Bear Right, Concord St.

Turn Right at the Gas Station, Orange St.

Go to Blinking Red/Stop Sign, Turn Left, Lock St.

Immediately Turn Right at First Street on the Right, Whitney St.
(pay attention, it's directly on the right after you turn left)

Go to end of Cemetary Wall on Right to Grove St.

Turn Right onto Grove St.

Go to end of Cemetary on Right, UU Church Parking Lot will be on the Right.

Autumn Poetry

This here is the first full week of September,
children have returned to day prison
young adults have gone back to graduate day prison,
& vacation points are closing for the season.

All that's left is what we remember,
the Autumn cold that's arisen,
geese heading south honking, listen,
& we prepare for weather that's freezin'.

Labor had it's Bread & Roses celebration,
Caribbean's had it's season of the hurricane,
rain & winds spinning off to the north,
& New England's festivals are over & done.

Time for Commemoration
of those innocents slain
to sally reverently forth
& reveal wrongs to the Sun.

Poetry Events This Week & Next

Friday, September 4, 2009

Slam Free or Die
Open Mic Poetry @ the Bridge
Bridge Cafe, 1117 Elm Street
Manchester, NH
6pm, $3.00

Hosted by the Colonel & Roller Girl

Friday, September 11, 2009

Nine-One-One Eighth Anniversary Celebration & Remembrance
Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel, 58 Lowell Street
Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00

Hosted by Doc Cote

Featuring Poetry, Song, & Dance
Commemorating the Planing of America eight years ago.

In All Possible Times (a love poem?)

The Moment Big Bang elapsed,

Creating worlds from itself,

Expanding at light speeds pace;

Incredible stealth,

Life fell upon You and I.

The day Universe collapsed,

Imploded upon itself,

Enfolded to a finite place;

A book upon a shelf,

I fell for you.

The day Galaxies relapsed,

Exploded again from themself,

Unfolding infinite space;

Quantum physics of a shelf,

You fell for I.

Days flow Time Lapsed

Universe and Galaxies one with self

Our unending Sol-Luna chase;

Over oceans, plains, arid shelf,

You and I fall upon Life.

- DA Boucher

Poetry Drought

There's No Poetry This Week in Manchester, Nashua, & Portsmouth, NH.

There is Poetry in Cambridge, MA.

Check out bostonpoet.com for all the Poetry Happenings in & around New England.

Human Nature, Get Over It Circular Sonnetanku

One Life in Balance
smooth, frictionless, unhindered
by Sacred Stories,
Apocolyptic
Ponderments of Man's Placement,
and Mediocre
Predictions for the
Great Void, rotatating Blue Pearl.
In Supplication
seeks within for Compassion,
Forgiveness, Essence, Oneness;
embraces Self, Feels,
engulfed by Wholeness, Seeing
Multihued Life Stream.

Multihued Life Stream...
How sad that we'd rather join
Culture we're Convinced
is our own than Live
Culture that Is Our Own, Self;
we all turn away.
Instead, we Consume
Plasti-Culture's offerings;
Infotainment, Pop,
Remakes, Rave-ups, Chin-ups, Sit!
Lay Down. Roll Over. Play Dead.
Joining that Culture,
Thirsting for Something...Abstract...
Status, is Slow Death.

Status is Slow Death,
Consuming More, Goods, Land, Blood,
garners Feelings of...
Belonging, yet...not,
a slakeless thrist, deep, hollow;
Closet dark, dry, stuffed.
Skellitons Locked Down,
doors bulge to bursting, shelves creak;
Shame, Regret hold Key.
Let Go, swing wide portal to
Human Nature, Accept Self,
unhampered, flowing,
fractionless, omnipresent,
One; Life in Balance.

- da boucher

Salisbury Beach - 8/22/2009

Hot, hazy, & humid, stifling so,
as hurricane spirals up coast
from way down south.
Dark, ominous, rain soaked,
clouds gather scattered
teasing blue sky & sun;
white light crackles, splitting grey,
followed immidiately by thunderous roar,
static dissapates into air,
hair stands on end.

Driving to the coast from Lawrence, Mass,
chased up highway by storm,
sprinkles moisten windshield, asphalt,
threatening down pours, then stop as we pass
definate dividing line of precipitation & clear;
black bank approaches marshland, summer homes,
image of Neverending Story, The Nothing,
looms over beach houses,
heat along fences & dunes,
cool at ocean's edge.

Frolicing in the eight foot surf,
battered by crashing, storm warmed, waves,
tempting the undertow pushing, pulling body
deeper, under surface, depths want poet,
Neptune's request for private show, denied;
legs furiously pumping,
kicking up sand, seaweed, & shells,
hands grabbing desperately for hold,
pote drags, swims, washes through swarming tide
safely to higher ground every time.

Boogie boarding, romping, splashing
friends enjoy storm whipped Atlantic,
cameras record moments in flashes
as dim light becomes dimmer.
With a great boom, clouds open
like bomb bay doors, & release their load,
hard, heavy, rain drops
pelting sand, sea, & swimmers,
drops ripple roiling water
& roll down scantily clad bodies.

Towels, blankets, chairs, clothes soaked
by rain & surprise wave that ran up beach,
so much for getting dry after swim.
Down pour hampers swimmers not,
already wet, they dive into waves with vigor,
ride the billowing, frothing, slip & slide,
& wash up on shore like a sand shark,
flopping & rolling in the surf, scraping skin,
& yowling with childlike joy.

Call goes out, "time to leave!"
Pruned poet screams, "NOOOO!"
runs down sloping sand to water
waving arms, leaping, skipping, diving,
back into crashing, tumbling sea.
Friends giggle at frolicing pote-child
unwilling to split the stormy scene.
One last dip below white caps
& disobeying adult returns to group,
dripping & laughing at his folly.

Rain-ocean soaked friends
return to vehicles, salty, sandy, happy,
reluctantly, returning to Lawtown.
Drive slowy home under lightening sky
hurricane clouds thinning as eye approaches,
it's going to be a beautiful sunny afternoon
& evening as storm's center passes,
followed closely by swirling weather
who's arrival is predicted for Sunday.

Hot, hazy, & humid, stifling so,
as hurricane spirals up coast
from way down south.
Dark, ominous, rain soaked,
clouds gather scattered
teasing blue sky & sun;
white light crackles, splitting grey,
followed immidiately by thunderous roar,
static dissapates into air,
hair stands on end...again.

& what a spectactular weekend it was!

WBCN Boston - RIP

http://boston.about.com/b/2009/08/12/wbcn-rocks-off-into-the-sunset.htm

Beat Night at the Press Room - Portsmouth, NH

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Beat Night
Press Room - Upstairs
77 Daniel St
Portsmouth, NH
6:30pm, $3.00

Hosted by Larry Simon

Food, Drink, & Poetry, what more could you want?
Every third Thursday of the month, Larry Simon's Beat Night - jazz and poetry 7-8 p.m. and readings 8-9 p.m., on the second floor.

Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award 2009

Call for entries

Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award 2009

Deadline Sept 15, 2009
Advertise with the Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene! http://tinyurl.com/ddjcal

Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene http://dougholder.blogspot.com


ISCS PRESS http://www.iscspress.com


Doug Holder's website http://authorsden.com/douglasholder


Ibbetson Street Press http://ibbetsonpress.com


Ibbetson Street Press Online Bookstore http://www.lulu.com/ibbetsonpress

Brains!

Summer moves along
at speed of a jaguar,
fast paced Ramones song,
an Indy 500 car.
Whipping up heat
gaseous moisture hangs
dripping from head to feet
as dust motes float in gangs.

In three piece suits & dresses
heat-wave zombies roam
with greasy, limp, tresses
looking for a cooler home.
Heavy breathing, gasping,
mouths & tongues loll
hot, dry voices rasping,
dog days take their toll.

Dog days take their toll.

by DA Boucher

well, well, well, waddia know

Strollin' thru the house one day
I stubbed my toe on the chaise
slammed it good in a manly way
yowled during the painful phase;
the nail quickly turned grey
& the colour of dijonaise.

Oh, oh, oh,
well, well, well, waddia know
I've got a rainbow toe,
look at it glow, yo.

I began to figit
my heart alight
watching that digit
turn dark to light
thinking, "better fridge it"
"cuz it don't look right."

Hey, hey, hey,
well, well, well, waddia say
my toe's on display
with it's dappled array, yay!

My injured toe devine
brought me glory & fame
now the world is mine,
& you may think, "crazy dame"
but my life's better'n fine
since all my toes became the same.

Oh, oh, ohs,
well, well, well, waddia knows
I've got rainbow toes,
look at 'em glow, yoes.

Oh, oh, oh,
well, well, well, waddia know
I've got a rainbow toe,
look at it glow, yo.
look at it glow.
LOOK AT IT GLOW!

DA Boucher

The Bestest Buddy In The Whole Wide World

by DA Boucher

Entering the parlour
with something to say
I showed my ardor
for the charming B-Ray.

Sitting on the couch
naked as a jay
teats, feets, & pouch,
& jiggy parts on display.

"how're ya doin', spastic?"
I asked my guy.
"Super-fantastic-bubble-plastic"
he said in reply.

Which is pretty good
if you ask me
I got to sportin' wood
for the handsome he.

In response he unwrapped it
& put it to hand
just reached out & slapped it
to make it stand.

I acted out in kind
gently touching & tugging
I caressed his behind
& we began fugging.

Oh, what a ride it was
skin to skin
orgasmic buzz
deep within.

It was a few hours
before we were spent
digging on the powers
of being bent.

He smiled & blushed
kissed my cheek
& off he rushed
to his beard of the week.

Ah, the recollection
of an awesome afternoon
now he's my selection
from July to June.

He's my bestest Buddy
in the whole wide world
& no fuddy-duddy,
Since his Closet Queer unfurled.

Ibbitson Street Press

Looking for local poetry publications?

Looking for national poetry?

Check out Ibbitson Street Press at these links:

Advertise with the Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene! http://tinyurl.com/ddjcal

Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene http://dougholder.blogspot.com

Doug Holder's website http://authorsden.com/douglasholder

Ibbetson Street Press http://ibbetsonpress.com

Ibbetson Street Press Online Bookstore http://www.lulu.com/ibbetsonpress

Events This Week - Be Here Now

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Zion Hill
Stone Church
New Market, NH
7pm, FREE
The second Tuesday of each month.

For all the great 411, contact, Beau Williams, 317design (at) gmail.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel
58 Lowell St
Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00
Hosted by Doc Cote

Features this month; Ala Khaki & Peddlar
We're looking to book Poets for 2010, interested?
Contact D. A. Boucher, dabsasp (at) gmail.com

August 14 - 16, 2009

Be Here Now Festival
Harry's Hill
Starks, ME

Tons of live music, giant puppets, belli-dancing, herbal delights, central bon fire, the Brew, &,oh, so much more, all that, & MC Da Butcha.
Gate opens at 10am Friday.

Da Butcha 'shoppe will be performing Friday evening before the Cosmic Circus & Natraj & Saturday night before the Brew.

For all the wonderful details, go to www.harryshill.com

Sugar House Review - call for poetry submissions

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Sugar House Review is an independent, biannual poetry journal
based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The first issue premieres in the
Fall of 2009, perfect bound and ready to live at your house. It
will include unpublished poems by Utah's former Poet Laureate
Ken Brewer, among other talented poets.

Please visit www.SUGARHOUSEREVIEW.com

for submission details.

Da Butcha 'shoppe

Tired of cookie cutter bands?

Exhausted by SLAM poetry?

Snoozing at poetry open mics?

Sick of big business music?

Cringing every time you turn on the TV or radio?

Disgusted at what hangs on fine art museum walls?

About to puke at what passes for comedy these days?

In short, has the art & entertainment scene become a vast wasteland of copy cats & trash to you?

Are you seeking more than what the corporations & museums are selling?

Are you looking for something NEW & Different for your life, party, bar, or open mic?

Look no further,

you're in contact with Da Butcha of Da Butcha 'shoppe,

Poetry-Performance Troupe & the most interesting group in entertainment today.

No other Poet, Musician, Band, or Poetry Troupe

has the attention grabbing power of Da Butcha 'shoppe;

featuring Da Butcha, Short Attention Span King of Poetry,

& Black Wednesday, Bass Guitarist extraordinaire.

Yes, they are the best group on stage today.

Try the best, book Da Butcha 'shoppe, & say good bye to the rest.

Yes, they are that good.

You want proof?

Book Da Butcha 'shoppe & see for yourself.

For all the Da Butcha 'shoppe 411, contact, Da Butcha,
dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Da Butcha 'shoppe, we do stuff that doesn't suck.

Well, that's about all there is for this week.

I'll be seeing some of you from the stage at the Be Here Now Festival.

Have a groovy week!

Ciao,

Da Butcha,

Lowell-Lawrence-NH-ME Poetry Alliance

Fatty Limerick Series - Miss Mary Pound

Fatty Limerick Series;

Miss Mary Pound

There was a girl called Mary Pound

Who was quite full & round

Her nights were about the same,

Lurid, sultry, & not at all tame;

In another’s bed she could be found.

Hefty Hideaway gal, Ms. Pound,

Really loved to sleep around

to avoid family shame

She used another name

With an exotic sound.

Voluptuous & divine, Marie Le Frond,

Big, supple, fluid as a pond,

Charms always in demand,

& never cause for reprimand

When her birthday suit’s donned.

One day Marie Le Frond

Slipped & fell into a pond

Rescued by a strange man’s hand

She’s now only in demand

As Missus Ala Monde.

The girl called Mary Pound

No longer sleeps around

& her life is a bit more tame

Since she changed her name;

Raising her brood she can be found.

All the men miss Mary

Their palms are getting quite hairy

Their own gals they can’t find

For they’re slowly going blind

& some even turned fairy.

Open Auditions - Reading, PA

Event: Open Auditions for The Wedding Singer
What: Audition
Host: Genesius Theatre
Start Time: Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00pm

Genesius Theatre
153 N 10th Street
Reading, PA

More Info at Facebook

Where Has Summer Gone, Third Movement; Four Sisters

by DA Boucher

Summers Solstice came & went
When Springs Equinox was all spent
But cool Autumn was all bent
& set up her colorful tent
Where Summer was always meant.

Summer had begun to settle in
when Autumn began to mettle in
With such a chattering din
That Winter said to give in
To their riotous kin.

September was surprised
When he was advised
To be measured & sized
For the spot devised
& the plan he criticized.

Winter gave good & calm advice
Admitting that Autumn wasn’t being nice
& Summer could name her price
For her prime real estate slice,
But Spring said no dice.

Round & round the sisters went
Soon Summer’s time was all spent
& sun worshippers were all bent
About spending the season in a tent
Not outdoors as it was meant.
Autumn proudly took her spot
Lowering temps to cool from hot
The September thru November lot
Watched older siblings rot
Like vegetables in a flooded plot.

Winter laughed at her joke
Upsetting Mother’s yoke
Pretending the seasons were broke;
An innocent little poke
When her sisters toke.

Upcoming Poetry Events

Friday, August 7, 2009
Slam Free or Die
Open Mic Poetry @ the Bridge
Bridge Cafe - 1117 Elm Street, Manchester, NH
6pm, $3.00

Hosted by the Colonel & Rollergirl

Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Zion Hill Open Mic
Stone Church -Newmarket, NH
7pm, FREE

For all the details contact Beau Williams, 317design@gmail.com

August 14, 2009
Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel - 58 Lowell Street, Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00

Hosted by Doc Cote
Featuring: Peddlar & Ala Khaki

Now booking features for 2010; contact D. A. Boucher, dabsasp@gmail.com

August 14 - 16, 2009
Be Here Now Festival
Harrys Hill - Starks, ME
For all the details, go to www.harryshill.com
Festival MC: Da Butcha & Da Butcha 'shoppe is appearing Friday & Saturday nights.

San Francisco Dreamboats

By D. A. Boucher & Diana Saenz


Starring, in order of appearance, Bambie Lane & Mr. Dude.


At the intersection of Castro & Market Streets,

a long ways from those trailer trash days,

a classy lassie from Mugwhup Mississippi

stood on the steamy corner,

Bambie Lane,

a vision in soggy satin

& glimmering in lamp light;

her pastel blue summer dress

was soaked from the sudden city shower,

& she was slowly coming untucked.



Bambi had arrived in the city by the bay

that day on her quest to become

a chanteuse singer specializing in ballads,

& she was at ground zero,

the city from which all her influences

had gotten their big break,

Voice Farm, Nico, Alison Moyet, & Liberace,

to name a few of her faves.

Bambi got goose-bumps thinking of them,

full of excitement & wonder

at being on their adopted home turf;

her future was looking bright

until the sudden down pours

had soaked her to the skin

& dampened her spirits.



In a southern accent,

that would make Jefferson Davis proud,

she sighed, “No manager in his right mind

will give me a second glance now;

deary me, what ever am I to do?”

& she began to sob & moan quietly.



Bambie Lane had a voice

like a midnight train & a mocking bird,

if a midnight train & a mocking bird could screw,

this is what it would sound like,

deep, strong, sweet, full, & sultry,

voluptuous, powerful, & driving;

a voice that reaches deep into the crotch,

yanks genitalia out with vigor,

gives them a massage,

& drives the eardrums to orgasm,

a voice that could sell out auditoriums

& millions of records;

in short,

a manager’s wet dream incarnate.



The buzz was right on a rainy night

damp with leaves of grass,

Mr. Dude, a slick operator

hooked on long-legged lassies with broken hearts

& dressed in snappy duds the passersby admired,

stood on the corner opposite Bambi;

the bunnies crossing his path

were dressed in their finest

& smelled of flowers and fir.



Mr. Dude,

creator of lies from air,

seducer of long legged, broken hearted lassies,

& enticer of fems into the service of show business,

heard Bambi’s seductive sobbing & moaning

at her predicament on her first night in the city.


Even Bambies sobs were music,

more than rock ‘n’ roll, blues, or jazz,

much more than Bach, Mozart, & their ilk;

soulful & sincere melodies drifted on the wet breeze.

Mr. Dude pricked up his ears,

looked around for the sound,

& saw the long legged,

down hearted beauty standing in the rain.



Mr. Dude stood across the way

mesmerized by Bambi’s sad vocals,

soon he had a hard smile on,

& wanton abandon in his heart,

he must have this girl for his cabaret!

Such a draw she would be

attracting a steady audience stream;

alone or with their amours in tow,

cabbies, workers, & dock men,

doctors, lawyers, & professionals,

folks from all walks of life

would revive his old burlesque theatre

&, once again,

Stage Door Johnnies & Joanies would lurk

at the performers entrance

after every performance.



Mr. Dude crossed the street to Bambie

a proposition on his mind.

He subtly slid up to Bambi,

nonchalantly as if waiting for a taxi,

& said low in her ear,

a query as smooth as chocolate pudding,

“Hey, baby, need a job?”

“I currently have an opening in my show.”

He grinned a sincere smirk,

but, his eyes betrayed his desires;

the ulterior seduction motive

of more than Bambi’s talented voice,

the seduction of her virginal virtue.



Bambi Lane slowly opened her huge, long lashed, eyes

& looked at him toe to head,

from his alligator shoes to his panama hat,

studying him closely up & down,

& recalling all the men she’d had,

the drama & trauma they’d caused,

& the bitter break-ups,

She thought to herself,

“I survived them”

& she said aloud,

“I can survive this one.”



Bambi reached into her handbag

& pulled out a pack of Dokes,

“cool folks smoke Dokes”

she said, laughing,

“Steven was so right about that.”

Bambi opened & removed a stick,

it’s all natural hemp paper

illuminated by the street light

looked tan like mocha.

She leaned coolly against a bar window,

languid like a cat,

placed the number between her lips,

& peered at Mr. Dude,

her cigarette waiting for a light.



Mr. Dude noted the herbal smoke,

& from deep inside his left pocket

he fluidly whipped out his Zippo,

&, as equally fluid,

put flame to aromatic plant & paper,

all the while gazing into Bambies pure blue eyes

rimmed by luscious auburn hair

& smooth silky skin;

just enough make-up brought-out

Bambi’s features in spades

& covered up any unsightly facial hairs.


Mr. Dude said, “is it cold out here,

or are you just excited to make my acquaintance?”

Bambie gazed back into Mr. Dude’s flaming dark eyes

& saw herself in his pupils,

who just happened to be passing by with a wave

& “hello, Professor Dudenski!”



Bambi suddenly awoke

& found herself in a sophomore engineering class at MIT,

wearing slacks, shirt, tie, blazer with insignia,

a fraternity pin on the lapel,

& drool on her chin;

she wasn’t a long legged broken hearted hussy with a voice

standing on a wet San Francisco street corner,

she was in Professor Dudenski’s honors class

in Cambridge, Massachusetts,

& the prof was calling on her,

“Bob! Bobby Lane! Do you know the answer?”

No Sweat

Sunny days washing the rain away
HEY YOU GUYS!!!!! come out & play!
100% humidity ain't nuthin'
step outside & eat a muffin
sho nuff it's crumbly & soggy
but, hey, at least your lawn ain't boggy.

Look at the bright side
when you're outside
cuz this is the summer
& it can be a bummer
but only if you allow it
so hit the garden & plow it.

Distracting mind from wet
cuz this is as good as it'll get
gotta make the most of it
have a party & be the host of it
white t-shirt bash in the cool rain;
mammalian protuberances big & plain.

What a groovy way
to spend a day
checking out A & T
of folks so very pretty
& gathered 'round the yard;
oh, yeah, bodies cut & hard...

mmmm, hard bodies...

FYGS Summer Series

Da Butcha shoppe will make an appearance on stage at FYGS ...

Thursday, July 30 - 7pm FREE

FYGS Cafe at Bell Tower Square
60 Island Street - Lawrence, MA
Music, Dance, & Poetry.

YWCA Taste of Summer Celebration!

Come Have Fun!
Taste of Summer Celebration!

Taste of Summer Celebration!

Fun Evening to Benefit the YWCA of Greater Lawrence

Join us for a fun evening at Glory Restaurant in Andover

As The Savings Bank sponsors the YWCA Taste of Summer Celebration!

The night will include hearty, delicious hors d'oeuvres, as well as artisanal beer samplings from local brewer Wachusett Brewery. The night promises dancing under the disco ball and give-aways!

Your reservation payment of $50, automatically enters you for a chance to win a fabulous iPod Touch!!

This iPod is 8GBs of Multi-Touch power to let you play hours of music, watch a movie or surf the web! Comes with a $50 pre-paid music card so you can download your favorite songs through iTunes.com!! This iPod Touch and music card have been generously donated by Basilicato & Levesque.

Proceeds from this event will help fund the YWCA's Breast Cancer Program,
as well as all progrms and services offered to community women and children served by the YWCA of Greater Lawrence.

Pre-registration is recommended as reservations are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Make your reservation today for just $50 by clicking: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6916391

Where & When
Glory Restaurant
19 Essex Street, Andover, MA
Friday, August 21, 2009
7:30pm to 10:00pm

About the YWCA of Greater Lawrence
The YWCA of Greater Lawrence has been an important voice for underserved women and children since its establishment in 1892. We help improve lives by offering comprehensive and wrap-around services to combat homelessness, poverty, domestic & sexual violence and illiteracy through diverse no-cost or low-cost programs such as the women's Breast Cancer Program and other health programs; housing serives; safe, after-school enrichment programs; domestic & sexual violence intervention programs; child care and a special Girl's Center, as well as swimming & fitness classes and summer day camp.
For more information about how the YWCA makes a difference in your community, visit our website at www.ywcalawrence.org

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For any questions about the event, please email Susan McNeff at smcneff@ywcalawrence.org.

See you for a great time at Glory Restaurant on August 21st!!

Rainy Night Flight Fright

Rainy Night Flight Fright

The freeway, wet, dark & shimmering,

stretches out before me in the rain

twisting & curving thru the countryside

headlight beams of oncoming vehicles

glance off the shiny surface

& blind unsuspecting drivers.

I am cautiously cruising to a gig,

a big break in my poetry career,

a high visibility show in Lowell

that will catapault my work & I

to beloved national poet status;

dollar signs shone green in my eyes.

I was on time, but lagging a bit,

darn thunder storms for weeks

had slowed life down to a crawl,

bridges & roads had been washed out;

if I kept at a steady pace all the way

I'd just make it to the event, early even.

Bright red break lights scream on

as fellow travelers romp down the pedal

due to an oncoming emergency

white/red/white/red blur into one

as a car ahead spins out of control

on my side of the thouroughfare.

I gracefully press down on the pedal

& slow to a crawl in the high speed lane

inches from the trailer in front of me

LED light glares from 12 recessed bulbs

I don my sunglasses & light a cigarette,

I've half a pack & a full tank, I'll make it.

The spinning car slows & comes to a stop

nose on the median & tail across the lane,

the high speed lane & now I'm stopped.

Camel Light embers glows brighter

as I take a poke to relax my nerves;

anxiety's rising, I'll be late for sure now.

Creep, creep, creep along at 5 mph

as cars on the right make way for merging

from the far left lane snaking around the spin-out.

At long last I'm in position to pass

I move past carefully looking at the car,

the bumper stickers seem familiar somehow.

I ease my car around the Blue Taurus

just like mine I think as I pass.

The driver turns to look at me

& thru the blood & sweat on his face

I recognise the driver & I scream,

"Oh MY God That's Me!!!"

Mocha Java Art

Be Here Now Festival, August 14-16

BANDS BRING MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO STARKS, ME
Tibetan, Indian, and Middle Eastern Musicians Join Line Up for Be Here Now Festival, August 14-16

With the addition of Tibetan, Indian, and Middle Eastern music to a lineup that already includes traditional West African, bluegrass, country, and jam bands, the Be Here Now festival scheduled for August 14-16 at Harry Brown's Farm in Starks, Maine.

Okbari, Natraj, and Penpa Tsering have all signed up to play at the August festival.

-- Okbari performs Ottoman classical and Turkish contemporary art music along with works from the Armenian and Anatolian folk traditions. Okbari also presents Arabic folk and classical music as well traditional songs from Greece and the Balkans. Okbari has released five albums since they formed in 1995, and play widely throughout the Northeast.

--Penpa Tsering, a world-class musician, singer and dancer, born in Tibet in 1963. He undertook an arduous 27-day trek over the Himalayas to Nepal. In 1989, he went to India where he was invited to join the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharmsala as a teacher and performer. During this time he toured to Japan, Thailand, Nepal and Finland. Now Penpa makes his home in the United States, exposing Americans to his intriguing culture. His presentation includes performances on sixteen different traditional instruments, including strings, pipes and horns; dance demonstrations and explanations of Tibetan philosophy and religion – a totally captivating performance.

-- Natraj seamlessly melds the classical music of India, traditional music from West Africa, and contemporary jazz to create its own unique and infectious style. Hard-driving African grooves and graceful Indian ragas meet in the band`s expansive jazz conception. Natraj captivates and excites audiences with its exotic textures, accessible melodies, and rhythmic energy. They will be joined by a special guest, Senegalese percussion master Lamine Toure.

Cowpasture Productions hopes to build on the success of “Harry Hoe-Down,” the first festival held on the site this season, where thousands of people braved the late June rains to bring to life Harry Brown's vision of “free people assembling freely.”

An icon of Maine's counter-culture, Brown has been hosting festivals on his land for nineteen years to support efforts to legalize marijuana in Maine. This season's festivals, though, are a realization of a larger vision of events that also celebrate free expression, cultural diversity, individual freedom, and respect for the Earth. For events at Harry Brown's Farm, we will commit 50% of our net profit to organize in support of ending marijuana prohibition through the Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative. www.mainecommonsense.org

The Be Here Now Festival will also include performances by:

-- Black Bear Moon, an ensemble that brings the infectious rhythms of traditional West African music to New England.

-- Trailer Trash, featuring Paul Dube on acoustic guitar and vocals and Ellen Lindsey on upright bass, blending country, blues, folk, and rock and roll to create music that will get you laughing, singing, and smiling. Winners of the 2008 Best Duo of the Year Award from the Pine Tree State Country Music Association.

-- The Brew, an innovative quartet that has developed a large and devoted following with their infectious grooves rooted in classic rock and seasoned with prog, jazz, reggae, world beat, indie, funk and orchestral pop influences.

-- Hot Day at the Zoo, rising stars in the roots music revival, a 4-piece string band that delivers foot-stomping down home jams guaranteed to get everyone dancing.

-- Trash Into Art, a community collective founded by multi-media performance artist Rijah Newell that uses giant puppets in energetic street theater pieces that promote environmental awareness.

-- One World Puppetry, bringing mystical creatures to life to enchant people of all ages.

-- RESISTDANCE, a dance troupe whose original performances help us connect with our history, our hopes, our collective responsibility, our pain, our joy, and challenges us to create something different in a world that stands on the brink.

-- STARMA Circus, a troupe of clowns, jugglers, and acrobats bringing circus arts to the stage and beyond.

Plus Lazzlo, Jordan Kaulbach, the Stoned Mountain Boyz, and many more performers to be announced as the festival draws closer.

Artists and healers will also be sharing their knowledge and skills in workshops throughout the weekend. There will be activities for children as well including yoga, puppet making, arts and crafts, and Jedi Knight Training.

For more information, please visit us at www.harryshill.com and www.mainecommonsense.org.

Poetry News Update from Donald Wellman

Poetry News Update from Donald Wellman

Walter Butts, the poet laureate of New Hampshire, has chosen to feature my poetry in the Poets' Showcase that he has created. You may view the page for two weeks at:
http://www.nh.gov/nharts/artsandartists/poetshowcase2/poetlaureate8.html

Donald Wellman
Professor, Arts and Sciences, Daniel Webster College
http://faculty.dwc.edu/wellman/

New England Poetry Events - Slam Free or Die

Friday, July 24, 2009 - Slam Free or Die

Open Mic Poetry @ the Bridge
Bridge Cafe
1117 Elm Street
Manchester, NH
6pm, $3.00

Hosted by the Colonel & Rollergirl
Featuring: 2009 NH POETRY SLAM TEAM FEATURES AT THE BRIDGE CAFE

MANCHESTER, NH – On Friday, July 24th, the Bridge Café continues its popular open mic poetry series, Slam Free or Die, produced by Russian Roulette Productions. The night includes a poetry open mic session with 15 spots with sign-ups starting between 6 and 6:30pm, open mic beginning around some time after 7pm. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early – the nights have been drawing standing-room-only crowds. This night we will have an open mic and a feature by the 2009 NH POETRY SLAM TEAM

The 2009 NH Poetry Slam Team - known as SLAM FREE OR DIE - is Mark Palos (aka The Colonel), team member and coach, from Nashua, Matt Biondi, from Manchester, Ari Cameron, from Dover, Cara Losier (aka Rollergirl), from Manchester, Ryan McLellan, from Exeter, and Summer Whitmore, from Manchester . They will be travelling to West Palm Beach, FL to compete in the 2009 National Poetry Slam the first week of August against 64 other teams from all over the United States.

The night will act as a fundraiser for the team's trip to Florida. For sale will be a chapbook of the team's poetry, titled 'The Great American Rodeo Massacre', and NH Poetry Slam t-shirts. All proceeds go to the team, who have been working hard to raise the necessary funds to help them represent the Granite State for only the third time at this National competiton.

About Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry, putting a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. Nearly every state in the U.S. has venues that host regular poetry slams – the Bridge Café is the only venue in NH that offers a slam. This year will only be the third time that NH has ever been represented in the 22 year history of the National Poetry Slam.

About Open Mic
Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is a series of open mic nights for poets and spoken-word artists with slam competitions being held once a month during slam season (which is September through April); sign-ups begin between 6 and 6:30pm. Come and enjoy the delicious food and coffee of the Bridge Cafe. There is a $5 cover charge.

Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is produced by Russian Roulette Productions. For more information, contact e-mail bridgepoetry@gmail.com, call 603-858-3286 or visit www.myspace.com/bridgepoetryopenmic on the Web.

The Bridge Café is located at the corner of Bridge and Elm at 1117 Elm Street, Manchester. For more information about the Bridge Café, call 603.647.9991

July 14, 2009

Don't forget to support your local Poets & Poetry Events;without you, we'd be writing for ourselves...heh-heh, that's funny, Poets writing for themselves, heh & be sure to share your favorite Poems & Poets with your family & friends, heck, read random Poetry on the corner,at a charity book sale, or after dinner at a posh restaurant, where-ever, there's always time for Poetry...& room!

--------------------------------------------
A plethora of urban wildlife roam
homeward or seeking nourishment
sharing the predawn sidewalks
& thoroughfares of Lawtown
dancing past motorised vehicles
avoiding rubber & steel.

Cars cruise out of shadows,
headlights reflecting on dark glass,
& delivery trucks diesel exhaust,
black & grey in dawn's orange glow,
hangs ominously over asphalt's
busy four-twenty surface.

A skunk rustles plastic
investigating a trash barrel,
a raccoon adjusts his mask
before dumpster diving,
& a crow munches on roadkill,
something that vaguely resembles a...

A group of late-teen-age humans
joyfully stroll along Union Street
laughing & singing spanish rock,
balancing on the curb stone,
& passing a bottle in brown paper,
an after-hours party on the move.

Oh, possum, squashed & painted,
double, yellow line down your back
act to survive became fact
by riverside boulevard renewal death;
a gateway improvement tragedy,
or, urban graffiti modern art?

A lone figure walks pacefully
counting steps against the cracks,
peering through dark glass,
tapping on frosted half-lit panes,
& veering towards aluminium poles
to clang with a silver ring.

Dark avian ssilhouettes dot the clouds
drifting on the valley currents
adorned with orange-purple-pink halos,
the mighty Merrimack silently flows below;
crashing falls of the Great Dam & bird-calls
echo over brick mills up & down river.

Steadfastly watching the city turn,
trees & shrubs line the boulevards
at their unmoving, unwavering posts;
green witnesses speak not,
neighborhood sentries report to no one...
but, Mother.

A plethora of urban wildlife roams
wandering, lost, & certain,
sharing the predawn sidewalks
& thouroughfares of Lawtown;
assimilated by their presence,
they're one with dawn's painting.

D. A. Boucher,
Lowell-Lawrence-NH-ME Poetry Alliance