East of Eden
Writers’ Conference
of the California Writers Club
sponsered by the South Bay Branch
287 wannabes
287 people much like you and me
heads bent to their notes
drinking in encouragement
how do I describe
the electricity in the air
the hold your breath while
keynote speaker after keynote speaker
told their stories
keep submitting keep submitting
rejection slips are just a reminder notice
that you’re doing something
never give up your dream
you never know
when the right person will pick up a piece
and you’re on your way
not that it’s easy
not that it ever will be easy
for the likes of us
just that the persistent do win
I met with an agent
who basically told me I was good
but not great
hey I was thrilled with that
good is good
good is better than bad
and I saw her rip some other poor souls
and she gave me her card
so
there’s an open door albeit it slightly
and then
I read
yup out loud
a few pieces
and it was a blast
just as I expected
sweaty armpits and all
and
I got invited to read again
at something called a Poetry Slam
never heard of such a thing
but I’m up for it
who knows what new adventure awaits
you never know
all and all
I’m glad I went
I know now that there are many of us
scribbling away
that amazing talent is alive and well
I may have sat with the next Stephan King or John Keats at dinner
and if
nothing ever ever comes of this
well
I know
I have something important to say
I know that
the key
is in me
there is no magic sure-fire path
it is only persistence
writing every day
one word one piece one paragraph one page
at a time
but
I reckon
I best keep
my day job
i've attended many poetry "slams" in new york... i do like the flair and performance of the spoken word but like Alex commented, many times the emphasis seems to be more on the delivery rather than the package...
Congrats! I do believe I'm piecing it together that this kind of Good, but not Great stuff are the hoops all POETS have made it through. It may be a matter of each of us knowing we sincerely want to offer something long enough for a segment of people
to know it, too. Hold the door open for us.
Vicky
Bravo!!! to the wooten woman!!! I sure hope you keep at it, because I do believe you have it in you to do it!!! Go for it girl!Thanks for sharing, it was great.
have fun at that poetry slam, josie!! you da bomb, josie!! keep up the good writing, and thanks again for the talk we had when krisie norment was here; that was TOO COOL!! love, your new friend, karen lynn. (((HUGS)))
Reviewed by Alexander Shaumyan (Reader)
Reviewed on August 26, 2002
I've been to a few poetry slams. Some folks like them. I personally hate them. It's more about performance and less about "poetry." But then again, what is poetry? I'm finding out more and more that everything is poetry these day, as long as it "moves you". I guess this includes bathroom grafitti--it could well be brilliant. I find open mikes are better--you get to read your poems, without having to compete with other poets. I would never think of serious poets like e.e. cummings participate in a poetry slam. If you want to know what a slam is, just go to
http://www.poetryslam.com/faq.htm
It will tell you all about it.
Alex
Reviewed by Mark Mahoney (Reader)
Reviewed on August 26, 2002
well done for a great insight into your world...thoughts there i can so much relate to...persistence keeps one going...take care...Mark...
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to know it, too. Hold the door open for us.
Vicky
but a poetry slam sounds painful
http://www.poetryslam.com/faq.htm
It will tell you all about it.
Alex
In Silence You Do Know All...
TRASK