2010 NorthBeast Regional Poetry Slam

October 23, 24 - Manchester, NH
Saturday, October 23 - 6pm - NorthBeast Win&You're In Bouts
The Bridge Cafe - 1117 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03103
$5 cover, ($3 with student ID) - one night pass
$8 - 2 night pass (no student discount)
8 Teams, 2 bouts

Sunday, October 24 - 6pm - NorthBeast Individual Title Competition
New Hampshire Institute of Art - Auditorium of the French Building
148 Concord Street
Manchester, NH 03103
$5 cover ($3 with student ID)

ArtsEditor: August 2001: Powers' Stone Soup

Boston poetry lost one of its best known founders this week.

Rest in peace, Jack Powers. Stone Soup and all it spawned will miss you.

Read an article fron August 2001 about Jack Powers' Stone Soup

Poetry Corner Features

Poetry Corner Features - 2010

UU Church Chapel, 58 Lowell St, Nashua, NH
Second Friday of every month

Sept. 10 -  Alan Wilbar & RAT
Oct. 8 -  D. A. Boucher & TBA
Nov. 12 -  TBA & TBA
Dec. 10 - TBA & TBA

Now Booking 2011

2011 Feature Dates in 2011 are wide open, pick one and contact D A Boucher. Poetry corner takes place on the 2nd Friday of the month. 2001 features begin January 14, 2011. For Booking 411, contact D. A. Boucher, 978-975-4438, dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Ibbetson Street Poetry Contest - Call for Entries

Ibbetson Street Press is pleased to announce the 4th annual Ibbetson Street Poetry Contest.

The winner of the Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Contest award (must be a Massachusetts resident) will receive a $100 cash award, a framed certificate,publication in the literary journal “Ibbetson Street” http://ibbetsonpress.com/ and a poetry feature in the “Lyrical Somerville,” in The Somerville News.

The award will be presented at the Somerville News Writers Festival: November 13, 2010.

How To Enter
Send 3 to 5 poems, any genre, length, to:

Ibbetson Street Press
25 School St.
Somerville, Mass. 02143.

Entry fee is $10. Cash or check only.
Make payable to “Ibbetson Street Press.”
Deadline: Sept 15, 2010

The contest will be judged by The Somerville News Arts Editor and founder of the Ibbetson Street Press, Doug Holder http://dougholderresume.blogspot.com

PTSD - The Learning Man, Alan Wilbar

Da Butcha 'shoppe is Available for hire

Da Butcha 'shoppe is a leader in Poetry Performance, taking stages by storm with their original production, The Alien Chronicles.

Da Butcha 'shoppe's Alien Chronicles features, Da Butcha, lead vox, & Ethan Mackler, Bass Guitar, with special guests, Alan Wilbar & Zig Zag

Da Butcha 'shoppe writes new material for each show, material specific to the event.

Check out "Da Butcha 'shoppe" on Face Book.

Book, Da Butcha 'shoppe, for your next event; reasonable rates.

Brewed Awakenings Open Mic Events

Poetry Open Mic & Slam
Thursday, September 2, 2010 - First & Third Thursday
Brewed Awakenings
61 Market St, Lowell, MA
6:30pm

-------------------------------------------------
Acoustic Open Mic
Second & Fourth Friday hosted by Justin Burn.

Next acoustic open mic, September 9.


For all the goings on at Brewed Awakenings, check out their website,

http://www.brewdawakening.com

Poetry: See You Later, Cruel World

 See You Later, Cruel World

There is a place
I can go
and lock out the world,
block out life,
alter reality
and all it's subtlety;
escape into unconsciousness,
drift away
for days.

Laying in my bed
beyond R. E. M,
beyond bounds,
I break on through
to the other side;

hello, Jim,
how are you?

- DA Butcha

Poetry: What True Beauty Is

What True Beauty Is

 

In certain light

she's more alluring

shaded in shadows

half lit features

exotic, exciting

more than who she is

and who she is,

is beautiful.

 

At certain times

she's more enthralling

sped up dancing

wildly lit features

erotic, sexciting

more than who she is

and who she is,

is beautiful.

 

At certain times

she's more resilient

dodging obstacles

crazy eyed features

demonic, hexciting

more than who she is,

and who she is,

is beautiful.

 

At all times

she's brilliant

giggling acrobatics

versifying observations

enlightening, eclectic

absolutely who she is,

and who she is,

is beautiful.

 

She's beautiful.

 

- DA Boucher

I'm Baaaaaacckkkk!

Deep Breaths

Running full tilt
t'wards plate glass,
skyscraper top floor,
single level porch door,
arms outstretched
screaming across
five foot strides,

"faster...Faster...FASTER!!!"

Ever onward,
slow motion,
dreamlike,
short distance stretches
impending disaster.

Head-long into
fragile glazed gazer;
reflection shatters
dream-pane
sixth dimension plane.

Smashing break-through expectations
cartoon-like
running on air,
look down...
fall to ground
experiment expound,
experience profound;

paranoia takes control.

"STOP!!!!"

Halt before oriel,
skylight upon me,

psalm twenty-three...

"the lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..."

Thanks to Gods,
Prophets, and Guides;

"thank you,
thank you,
thank you very much."

Silently chant

"Everything's cool,
everything's fine,

this is only
a moment in time...

a moment in time."

"Nam myho renge kyo...

Nam myho renge kyo...

Nam myho renge kyo...

Nam myho renge kyo..."

Peace - Out.  DA Boucher

Poetry - DA Boucher

Modified V-8 Ford

Hot, mid-summer's night
moist sweltering city side,
need a break in da night
pick-up da gang, go for a ride...

Makin' da run ta breakwater,
makin' da run ta breakwater...

Boys in da back seat
poundin' back da beer,
honey's in da front seat
sittin' really near.
Detroit planted power,
crimson an' chrome,
no foreign pansy power,
iron an' steel from home...

Makin' da run ta breakwater
cooler fulla beers
makin' da run ta break copper
dry county nears;
makin' da run ta breakwater,
makin' da run ta breakwater...

Ciggy box 'o' fresh breezes,
trunk full 'o' malt,
coolin' ocean breezes,
seafood, an' salt.
After hours at da shore,
skinny, snorkel dippin',
fire brightens shore,
an' volleyball trippin'...

Makin' da run ta breakwater
car-loada queers
makin' da run ta break copper
dry county nears;
makin' da run ta breakwater,
makin' da run ta breakwater...

Hot, mid-summer's morn,
steamy, moonlit ocean side,
blindin' sunrise morn,
pack-up da gang for tired ride...

Made da run ta breakwater...
made da run ta breakwater...
made da run ta breakwater...

and, oh,

what a time it was, too.

CC Arshagra at Stone Soup Poetry May 3, 2010

Stone Soup Poetry 2010 Anniversary Event

cc Arshagra Featured Poet
Monday - May 3rd, at Out of the Blue Gallery

106 Prospect Street
Cambridge, MA 02139-2503
(617) 354-5287

Stone Soup Poetry

Monday, April 19, 2010 at Out of the Blue Gallery, Stone Soup Poetry
Hosted by Chad Parenteau

Featuring, Lee Litif & Christopher Robin

Prospect St
Cambridge, MA
7:30pm, $3.00

BEVERLY POETRY MONTH EVENT

On Friday, April 30th, at 7-10 PM there will be a Poetry Month Event held at the White Whale Coffee House, 9 Hale St., Beverly Ma. 

There will $5.00 donation requested and all monies raised will be given to the White Whale Coffee House Building Fund.   The event will feature a twenty minute lecture on the History of Beverly area Poets and their Poetry, spotlighting such local poets as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Lucy Larcom and George E. Woodbury.  The Lecture will be given by K. Peddlar Bridges, local well known poet.

The event will also feature a number of readings by featured poets such as Walter Howard Of the Stone Soup Poets; Bill Perrault, also of the Stone Soup Poets; Mark Goldfinger, Poetry Editor of Cambridge's Spare Change News; Spike AKA Lisa of CT, and a charter member of the National Roadpoets and Writers Association; well known Beverly area Story Teller, Tony Toledo; and Beverly Senior Poet, Hudson Thorndike Morrill.   The event will also feature a number of Open Mic Poetry slots for a number audience members, who may wish read their own Poetry as part of this National Poetry Month Celebration Event.

Besides the featured Poetry there will door prizes and a silent auction of handcrafted items donated by local artisans, such as handcrafted jewelry by Benjamin Two Eyes, and  Princesskraftz by Dee Migneault.

This event will be hosted by K. Peddlar Bridges.  Bridges is a well published area Poet, Senior Poetry Columnist for the Connecticut Cruise News Newspaper,  former Poet Laureate for Connecticut Bike Week, and former Poet Laureate for Don Clady's Super Sunday Motorcycle Expo (R), as well as Co-founder and Co-Editor of North Shore's (old) Wail Magazine.  Bridges was also the host and producer of Beverly CABLE TV’s (Poets Cafe') program from (circa) 1990 - 1998.

The events co-host will be Lynne Sticklor AKA The Prize Lady, Sticklor is originally from Woburn Mass, and now resides in Beverly.  Her poetry and co-hosting brings excitement and energy to any show she is part of.

For more information about this poetry event please contact roadpoetbikerpoet (at) yahoo.com.

The Cambridge Populist Poetry Festival

WHEN: Sunday, April 18th , 2010 12PM to 5:30PM

WHERE: Jill Brown-Rhone Park (formerly Lafayette Plaza)  / across from Luna Café (403 Mass. Ave.) in Central Square, Cambridge Massachusetts.

Rumor has it that Da Butcha 'shoppe will be appearing ...


In celebration of National Poetry Month, Poet Populist Jean-Dany Joachim curates the 2010 Cambridge Poetry Festival. This FREE community event brings together professional and novice poets, writers, performers, and singer/songwriter musicians to share their work via an open-mic format. The festival offers to all attendees professional development "mini-workshops" on editing and presenting as well as an opportunity to connect with local bookstores, publishing companies and poetry groups. To learn more or to participate, e-mail poetpopulist@cambridgema.gov or call the Cambridge Arts Council at 617-349-4380.

1 12 - 1:00
Fred Marchant
Hannah Baker-Siroty
Luke Salisbury
Chris Brandt
Philip Burnham
Isabella Ruggerio Dumond
Gayle Roby
2 1:00 - 2:00
Mary Bodwell
Clara Guila Kessous
Peter Payack
Thomas Spear
Marilene Phipps-Kettlewell
Tehila Lieberman
Molly Lynn Watt
3 2:00 - 3:00
Doug Holder
Charles Coe
Lo Gallucio
Alan Soto Smith
Marcia Ross
Charlot Lucien
Danielle Georges

4 3:00 - 4:00
Gifrantz
Phillips Hassouris
Patrick Sylvain
Enzo Surin
Toni Bee
Liam Bodwell
Tontongi
5 4:00 - 5:300
Juan Cassillas
Giancarlo Buscaglia
Kristophe Diaz
Amy Grunder
Larry Stich
René Rodriguez Soriano
Leonardo Lin
Fred Brown
Dominique Batraville
Duckens Charitable

Boston International Film Festival

The Dreams of Leonardo da Vinci short movie by Mick Cusimano
The Boston International Film Festival
11:00am, session 2

The Boston International Film Festival is going on April 16-25 @AMC Theatres 175 Tremont St. Boston Common Theater with films from all over the world.

Taxes & Poetry

Taxes, taxes, & more taxes
sent with what the facts is
but, so much better
when sent as a letter
& blanks at maxes.

Poetry, poetry, & more poetry
please, show it to me
as bank accounts bleed
I desire to read
& bask in flow-etree.

Poetry & Taxes
everyone relaxes
when read & paid
but, won't get you laid
like Santanas "Abraxes".


- DA Boucher

Have a fantastic Tax Day 2010 & an even better National Poetry Month 2010

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry Everywhere

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere,
cafes, pubs, on the city square
more than enough to share,
Poetry of the 365 sort
Poetry from the 30/30 sport
Poetry long or short.

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere
Poetry written on a dare
Poetry constructed without any flare,
by Poets emerged from their dens,
Poets doing battle with their pens,
& Poets who seek perfect tens.

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry games
handled with fancy names,
& hung in Poetic frames,
of 365 or 30/30, I haven't a clue
but, I've written 1000 Haiku
in 100 days; Tanka, too.

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere,
cafes, pubs, on the city square
quite a bit more to share,
read Poetry of every sort,
Poetry as a report,
& Poetry long or short.

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere
Poetry performed on a dare,
Poetry constructed with flashing flare,
by Poets emerged from their dens,
& Poets who do battle with their pens;
Poets, you're all perfect tens,
you're all perfect tens.

DA Boucher

Brew'd Awakening April Poetry 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)

BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS POETRY MONTH EVENT

BEVERLY POETRY MONTH EVENT
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010
7-10PM

For more information about this poetry event please contact roadpoetbikerpoet (at) yahoo.com

On Friday, April 30th, at 7-10 PM there will be a Poetry Month Event held at the White Whale Coffee House, 9 Hale St., Beverly Ma.  There will $5.00 donation requested and all monies raised will be given to the White Whale Coffee House Building Fund.   The event will feature a twenty minute lecture on the History of Beverly area Poets and their Poetry, spotlighting such local poets as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Lucy Larcom and George E. Woodbury.  The Lecture will be given by K. Peddlar Bridges, local well known poet.

The event will also feature a number of readings by featured poets such as Walter Howard Of the Stone Soup Poets; Bill Perrault, also of the Stone Soup Poets; Mark Goldfinger, Poetry Editor of Cambridge's Spare Change News; Spike AKA Lisa of CT, and a charter member of the National Roadpoets and Writers Association; well known Beverly area Story Teller, Tony Toledo; and Beverly Senior Poet, Hudson Thorndike Morrill.   The event will also feature a number of Open Mic Poetry slots for a number audience members, who may wish read their own Poetry as part of this National Poetry Month Celebration Event.

Besides the featured Poetry there will door prizes and a silent auction of handcrafted items donated by local artisans, such as handcrafted jewelry by Benjamin Two Eyes, and  Princesskraftz by Dee Migneault.

This event will be hosted by K. Peddlar Bridges.  Bridges is a well published area Poet, Senior Poetry Columnist for the Connecticut Cruise News Newspaper,  former Poet Laureate for Connecticut Bike Week, and former Poet Laureate for Don Clady's Super Sunday Motorcycle Expo (R), as well as Co-founder and Co-Editor of North Shore's (old) Wail Magazine.  Bridges was also the host and producer of Beverly CABLE TV’s (Poets Cafe') program from (circa) 1990 - 1998.

The events co-host will be Lynne Sticklor AKA The Prize Lady, Sticklor is originally from Woburn Mass, and now resides in Beverly.  Her poetry and co-hosting brings excitement and energy to any show she is part of.

The Cambridge Populist Poetry Festival - Cambridge MA

Sunday April 18th , 2010
The Cambridge Populist Poetry Festival
12PM to 5:30PM

To learn more or to participate, e-mail poetpopulist (at) cambridgema.gov  or call the Cambridge Arts Council at 617-349-4380

Poetry Corner

Friday, April 9, 2010
Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel
58 Lowell St
Nashua, NH
8pm, $3.00

Hosted by Doc Cote

Featuring, Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici

Poetry Corner is looking for Poets to feature in 2010,
there are plenty of open slots left

Poetry - National Poetry Month

VHD

Count-down, two day reprieve,
one front porch project,
catch the sun.

Morning pages
before the reality
of the day
sets in...

Nine to five jive
I'm barely alive
weekly employment
petty cash deployment
difficult to survive.

Count-down, two day reprieve,
one front porch project,
catch the sun.

Morning pages
before the reality
of my life
sets in...

Lingo - grammar raper
captured on paper,
pressure relief of brain;
within performer, sane,
poetry mover and shaper.

Count-down, two day reprieve,
one front porch project,
catch the sun.

Morning pages
before the reality
of Poet
sets in...

When I die
Poetry won't cry
no tear shed in grief,
just a sigh of relief,
"phew, no more of THAT guy."

Count-down, two day reprieve,
one front porch project,
catch the sun.

Morning pages
before the reality
of the day
sets in.

DA Boucher

Poetry Corner Updated Schedule

For Poetry Corner Booking info contact DA Butcha:

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

Poetry Corner takes place at the Unitarian Universalist Church Chapel, 58 Lowell St, Nashua, NH

2010 Schedule of featured poets. Open mic follows feature.

Jan. 8; Beau Williams & Sam Teitel

Feb. 12; Donald Wellman & Alexandria Peary

Mar. 12; Diana Seanz & Marshall Harvey

Ap. 9; Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici

May 14; Valerie Raudonis & Robin Linn

Jun. 11;

Jul. 9; "pencil" Anathea & Liz

Aug. 13; Peddlar & Friends

Sept. 10;

Oct. 8; D. A. Boucher & TBA

Nov. 12;

Dec. 10; Doc Cote & TBA

Boston Poetry Events

There's always something happening down Boston way poetry-wise.

For example, Monday, Stone Soup Poetry at Out of the Blue Gallery,Wednesday, SLAM! at the Third Rail, Thursday, Squawk! at  Harvard Epworth Church,Saturday, Open Bark at Out of the Blue Gallery.

That's only the tip of the iceberg for Poetry & Related Events down Boston way. For a complete list of poetry events and venues, visit the calendar at BostonPoet.com or check out the listings and links in the right hand column under Poetry Connections.

Delusions of Grandeur? w/a tip 'o' da hat to R. K. Travis

I am The Man, Myth, Legend...The King...

the Redheaded Stepchild of Poetry,

cutting edge Poet skewing the curve,

with creations of language,

lingo plays new meanings,

word games without rules;

True Poetry?

Sure!

Poem, Poet, Poetry, definitions vague,

subjective; left to the Reader,

a newspaper article

could be viewed as a Poem,

on occasion, this is true...

But, where was I?

Ah, yes! Singing My Praises,

for if I do not,

no one else will.

I am Renaissance Man,

Manic, Short Attention Spanic,

always thinking, arranging, writing,

can't keep a good Pote down.

Exploring creative fronts,

Jack of all Arts,

Master of One,

Poetry;

Bar is raised, Gauntlet is thrown,

I have put up, now, shut up,

show me what you've got,

amaze, astound, be profound...

keep me awake...just, keep me awake.

But, there I go,

ah yes, singing my praises,

well, if I do not,

no one else will,

no one else will...

except, maybe...RAT...

Thank you, Brother from another Mother.

TVs conservative bias - The Editorial Page - Portland Phoenix

TVs conservative bias - The Editorial Page - Portland Phoenix

Boston's Best Poet - Cast Your Vote or Write One In

Now's the time to cast your vote for Boston's Best at the Phoenix website.

Choose a poet from the list, or write in your favorite ... here's the direct connection to vote for Boston's Best Poet.

Or, just use this handy dandy ballot box:

Poets for Haiti Benefit Reading 10 February - CANCELLED

Due to the extreme weather forecasts for Boston, Wednesday, February 10, 2010, the Poets for Haiti Benefit Reading, scheduled for Wed., Feb 10 at Harvard/Longfellow Hall has been cancelled.

We will be providing rescheduling information as soon as it is available.

Thanks for your interest and support in this event.

If you were planning on coming to the reading, and you 'd like to make a donation, the funds will go to
Partners In Health Haiti Earthquake Relief.

For more information on the history of this group's work in Haiti, see Tracy Kidder's book, Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World .

Poetry Corner - Friday, February 12, 2010

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

Hosted by Doc Cote

Featuring, Donald Wellman & Alexandria Peary

Donald Wellman, poet, essayist, and editor, is a native of Nashua. A new book of poetry, Prolog Pages, has been published by Ahadada (Tokyo and Toronto, 2009). Other books include Baroque Threads (Mudlark 2007) and Fields (Light and Dust 1995).

From 1981-1994, Wellman edited the OARS series of anthologies, devoted to topics bearing on postmodern poetics, including volumes entitled  Coherence and Translations: Experiments in Reading. He has translated the poetry of Emilio Prados, Antonio Gamoneda and Yvan Goll, among others. He teaches writing and cultural studies at Daniel Webster College. Gravestones, a translation of Gamoneda’s Lápidas has just been released by the University of New Orleans Press.

Alexandria Peary publishes poetry, creative nonfiction, and scholarly articles. Her first book of poetry, Fall Foliage Called Bathers & Dancers, was published by Backwaters Press in 2008, and she has completed her second manuscript, called The Pink Quake.  Her poetry has recently appeared or is forthcoming in The Denver Quarterly, New American Writing, jubilat, Literary Imagination, Verse, and The Massachusetts Review. 

Ms. Peary's poetry has received a Pushcart nomination and has been awarded the Joseph Langland Award from the Academy of American Poets.  She has a MFA in Poetry from the University of Iowa (’94), a second MFA in Poetry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (’99) and is finishing her doctorate at the University of New Hampshire, Durham. Since 2000, she has served as the Writing Program Director and a professor at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, NH, where she designs and teaches courses on poetry, composition, writing-for-publication, strategies for overcoming writer’s blocks, and creative nonfiction.

Call for Poets: Poetry Corner, Nashua NH

Looking to share your poems in a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure?
Poetry Corner is looking for YOU to feature at our podium at the UU Church Chapel, 58 Lowell St, Nashua, NH

Check out the open dates in this upcoming lineup for 2010 then contact D. A. Boucher - dabsasp (at) gmail.com:

Mar. 12; Diana Seanz & Marshall Harvey

Ap. 9; Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici

May 14; Valerie Raudonis & Robin Linn

Jun. 11; TBA & TBA

Jul. 9; "penciled-in" Anathea & Liz

Aug. 13; Peddlar & Friends

Sept. 10; TBA & TBA

Oct. 8; D. A. Boucher & TBA

Nov. 12; TBA & TBA

Dec. 10; Doc Cote & TBA

Who Is Alan Wilbar

Poet, actor, dancer, brain injury survivor ...  read more about Alan Wilbar here.

More: Second Chances: NH brain injury survivor rediscovers magic in Nutcracker

Poetry Corner 2010 Schedule

Jan. 8; Beau Williams & Sam Teitel

Feb. 12; Donald Wellman & Alexandria Peary

Mar. 12; Diana Seanz & Marshall Harvey

Ap. 9; Rene Schwiesow & Louisa Clerici

May 14; Valerie Raudonis & Robin Linn

Jun. 11;

Jul. 9; "pencil" Anathea & Liz

Aug. 13; Peddlar & Friends

Sept. 10;

Oct. 8; D. A. Boucher & TBA

Nov. 12;

Dec. 10; Doc Cote & TBA

Slam Free or Die 4th Annual Valentine's Day Erotic Open Mic

Manchester, NH -- Looking for a new way to celebrate Valentine's Day?

On Friday, February 5, 2010, the Bridge Café in Manchester continues its popular open mic and poetry slam competition series, Slam Free or Die, produced by Russian Roulette Productions.

The night includes a special themed open mic poetry session, "Erotic Poetry," in honor of Valentine's Day. Poets are encouraged to bring their best romantic and erotic to work to share, and all are encouraged to 'dress to impress' because no one should be lonely on Valentine's Day.  It is advised to arrive early, as the annual event often draws standing-room-only crowds.  In addition to the open mic, there will also be the 6th official poetry slam of the 2010 season and a special feature by Diane Haas.

About Diane Haas
Diane was Worcester Slam Champion of 1994, performed at Lollapalooza in RI and went to the Nationals as part of the Worcester Slam Team. 

Tragically, In 1995, she suffered a nearly fatal attack of capitalism.  No one heard from her again until she was laid off in 2009 and stumbled into the Bridge Cafe in Manchester, NH sputtering something about bees beating off.  However, it was her poem "Not The Girl Next Door" that earned her the feature slot for Erotic Poetry Night on February 5th, despite the fact that it rhymes.  Diane has promised a unique performance for the Erotic Poetry Night feature that includes wearing something rumored to be illegal in 22 states. 

Similar to a "Gallagher" performance, front row audience members should be equally cautious of full contact watermelons.

Poetry Benefit Reading for Haiti - February 10, 2010

On February 10 at 7:30 pm, Robert Pinsky, Rosanna Warren, Jorie Graham, and a dozen other Boston-area poets will join together for a collaborative reading to benefit "Partners in Health" and the people of Haiti. It will take place at Longfellow Hall/Harvard, Appian Way, Cambridge, MA.

As of today, the confirmed readers are:

Robert Pinsky
Jorie Graham
Rosanna Warren
Afaa Michael Weaver
Fred Marchant
Christina Davis
Daniel Tobin
Barbara Helfgott-Hyett
Jean-Dany Joachim
Patrick Sylvain
Wendy Mnookin
Marilene Phipps-Kettlewell
Nadia Herman-Colburn
Kim Stafford
Tom Daley
Jericho Brown
Franny Lindsey

Requested donation will be $10, with all proceeds going to Partners in Health (PIH).  Poets' books will also be on sale, with all proceeds after cost going to PIH. 

The event is being co-sponsored by the Woodberry Poetry Room at Harvard and Harvard's Technical and Clerical Workers Union, which is providing much-needed logistical support.

Writing in a Winter Wonderland

Watching from my penthouse perch,
crystalline forms float past my windows
touching down on roof & road
evergreens now temporary-whites
black tar & grey cement paths & walks
slowly disappear under cold blanket;
bare spots reveal salt crystals,
deadly enemy of snowfall.

Watching from my penthouse sofa
Weather prognosticators claim,
against swirling cloud bank backdrops
of radar scoping out the future,
attempt at predicting unpredictable,
flurries to continue throughout the day,
inch counts varying southward,
Nor'easter burying northern suburbs.

Watching from my penthouse roost
adults & children, poofy, quilted clothing wraps,
shoveling, salting, sanding, sweating,
sledding, sliding, snowballing, screaming,
through thick layer of blizzard debris
covering Durant House Community grounds,
an image of a  village wonderland;
guess I had better go & join in the communal fun.

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere,
give rocker some pushin's
gotta sofa sit with care
uneven, lumpy cushions,
Poetry, Poetry cluttering my lair!
Bad filing habits,
poems peekfrom cabinets
& under the chair,
Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere!

Clearing out possessions
after my penniless passing
you will find nothing of "Value",
not "Real Value" of "Society",
scraps of pomes, alphabet papers,
copies of jam sessions on vid & CD,
Collective recordings,
brand new, in shrink-wrapped cases,
zip-lock, unboxed, Umbrella sets,
and self published chapbooks,
all sure fire, fifty-fifty hits,
raise the banner,
see who salutes.
Mostly you'll find second-hand stuff
furniture, electronics, & fashion,
buried 'neath more than enough,
of the thing I'm stashin',
Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere!

Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere,
give pen some pushin's
gotta sofa sit with care
uneven, lumpy cushions,
Poetry, Poetry cluttering my lair!
Bad filing habits,
poems peek from cabinets
& under the chair,
Poetry, Poetry, Poetry everywhere!

Poetry/Open Mic Events This Week

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Beat Night
Press Room, Upstairs
77 Daniel Street
Portsmouth, NH
6:30pm, $3.0.
 Hosted by Larry Simon

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Brewed Awakening Third Thursday Open Mic
Brew Awakenings
Market Street
Lowell, MA
6pm, $3.00

Friday, January 22, 2010

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

SLAM FREE OR DIE - performance poet JOHN 'SURVIVOR' BLAKE

MANCHESTER, NH – On Friday, January 22 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 6:00 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 John 'Survivor' Blake.

About Survivor (John Stanley Blake)

John Stanley Blake was nicknamed "Survivor" by his therapist after their 1st session. "Survivor" now speaks out about addiction and struggle at universities and rehabilitation centers all over the United States, including Virginia Tech, Columbia, SUNY, Berkeley and the Virginia State Journalism Championship Awards Ceremony. He's also a well-known spoken word artist across the nation.

He's shared the stage with such fabulous artists as Patricia Smith, Tara Betts, Marty McConnell, Rachel McKibbens, Amiri Baraka, Roger Bonair-Agard, Saul Williams, Suheir Hamad, and Carlos Andres Gomez. He's performed on the finals stage at The National Poetry Slam in 2007 representing the Louder Arts (New York City) slam team.

Survivor is now the slam coach and one of four curators for SlamRichmond in Richmond, Virgina. He conducts weekly workshops every Saturday afternoon and hosts the venue as well. His book of memoirs (the first in a five-part series), 'Drifting From Fire', is soon to be published as well as his first book of poetry by "Smalls Books Press".

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 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 (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 $3 cover charge.

Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is produced by Russian Roulette Productions. For more information, contact e-mail bridgepoetry (at) gmail.com, call 603-858-3286 or visit www.facebook.com/slamfreeordie 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

Thrice - poetry by DA Boucher

If you Love something,

Let it go.

I love you,

I let you go.



If it comes back to you,

It’s yours.

You came back…

Once.



Let it go…

Let you go,

You came back…

Twice.



Let it go…

I let you go…

& you came back…

Thrice.



If it doesn’t,

It never was.

You came back.

You came back.

You came back.



You come back.



You came back…



Thrice…



You're Mine.



(now, stop wriggling, you’ll only make the knots tighter)

Poetry This Week - Nashua, Lowell, Lawrence

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Poetry Open Mic & Slam
Brewed Awakenings
61 Market St
Lowell, MA 01852
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Hosted by Anthony Febo

Every First & Third Thursday Open Mic.
978 454 BREW (2739)
info (at) brewdawakening.com

http://www.brewdawakening.com


Friday, January 8, 2010

Poetry Corner
UU Church Chapel
58 Lowell Street
Nashua, NH
8pm

Hosted by Doc Cote
Featuring, Beau Williams & Friends.

Beau Williams is a New Hampshire Poet whose rhythms & wordplay flows & winds,
the Poet himself fully living in the piece; MSP, Must See Poetry.

We're looking for a few Good Poets to feature at Poetry Corner, if you're interested
or have friend who's interested or you're able to contact John Sinclair, et al, contact, dabsasp (at) gmail.com

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Jongleur Poetry Series
Lawrence Heritage State Park
Visitors Center
Canal Street
Lawrence, MA
FREE!
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Hosted by Robin Linn & D. A. Boucher

Featuring, Regie Gibson, Diana Saenz, Alfred Turner, Jr, & Natalie Youn - four amazing Poets, one incredible night, be there.

An Open Mic will follow the featured readers.