LYNN ALEXANDER'S BOOK LAUNCH LAUNCHED ME: FIND ME IN THE IRIS ASCENDS

NOTE: Click on photos to enlarge & videos at end

You’d think I’d learn something from reading and listening to poets more than any other beings these days. But my vocabulary and I keep coming up short in efforts to describe the most moving of experiences I’m having at some of these Zoom poetry venues.

I’m sick of “Wow!” “Powerful!” “Poignant!” “Inspirational!” and a host of others I’ve assaulted like that late, proverbial horse. So, I’m asking you to substitute whatever would stand for all the above- and more- when imagining what I experienced at E. Lynn Alexander’s book launch of FIND ME IN THE IRIS last night.

Paul Corman-Roberts

I’ll save you the backstory, but it was touch and go whether I’d make it, and whether I’d be able to stay. Well, I’m glad that the poetry gods deigned to decree my attendance…AND ordered my chills and goosebumps to accompany me. Actually, the latter should be credited to the poets, Paul Corman-Roberts and Jack Varnell who co-hosted the event.

I’m still discovering my potential paths through the poetry landscape, but one thing I’m clear about is that I can’t possibly comment at length about every poet and piece of work I experience. However, I will do what I can to express what I think and feel about those who move me in significant ways.

E. Lynn Alexander

Last night, the works that moved me slipped through the lips of Taneesh Kaur, Cleveland Wall, and E. Lynn Alexander. I had had the good fortune of hearing Lynn read from FIND ME IN THE IRIS during her interview with Rick Christiansen in preparation for her guest author appearance on SpoFest’s May 17 edition of Poetry and Prose. To my mild surprise and quite spicy delight, Lynn’s second reading of The Urgent Traverse- an epic poem to me- penetrated more deeply than the first. I’ve provided just a taste in the video below.

Cleveland Wall

I first shook hands with Cleveland Wall’s work during the same SpoFest event and it’s a good thing I don’t live in PA, or I might be hiding behind the stacks ogling…her writing technique, you, you….never mind. Anyway, wouldn’t ya know, Cleveland’s reading last night also had more of an impact than the first time around. Maybe it was the moon? Anyway, her reading sent me clicking on YouTube where I found a mini treasure trove of Cleveland Wall poems. Speaking of the moon, below is an excerpt from Cleveland’s set last night entitled Old Moon Goes Up.

Taneesh Kaur

My introduction to Taneesh Kaur sent me looking for more of her work as well. I did find some on YouTube as well as on her website. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been bathed in light by such dark expressions before. I suspect it was the combination of Taneesh’s language alchemy and her soothing voice that pulled the bright wool over my usually dark ears. You can sample Taneesh's poetic voice below as well. 

As always, I don’t ever expect or ask you to take my word for it. After all, my word is merely an expression of my experience…which isn’t and can’t be yours. So, you can click here to view the entire event and draw your own conclusions. I will say that I was sufficiently taken with the entire Collapse crew (especially since Darrell Parry is a part of it) to delightedly accept the invitation to feature on Collapse Fridays on July 29. I’ll post more details on that as soon as I have them.