..Hey Folks!! I hope you had a SENSATIONAL January!! I had!!
Why??
Because of my self-selected/independent-reading piece, experience within Cleveland’s literary/artistic community, and February reading selections!!
First, I trust you enjoyed your self-selection!! Whether a novella, short story, or other literary-form, I expect it’d edified your mind in some healthy manner, whet your appetite for honest self-expression, and encouraged (or sharpened) your mode-of-expression you’d use (or you use) to promote elevating idealism throughout our world.
Whew! Lol…
Nonetheless, as you’re doubtlessly aware, ‘The Rain in Portugal’ by Billy Collins was my January selection. Something you mayn’t have been aware of was—similar to our prior Bronte studies—I had no prior knowledge of Mr. Collins’ work (and indeed, this was where I’d plopped my face into my palms and had exhaled all but without end). Nevertheless, it’s true—I was unacquainted with the United States Poet Laureate (2001-2003), Norman Mailer Prize winner (2014), and Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award (2016) winner’s work until weeks back when I’d snagged—by chance—my abovementioned reading from a library display table, examined a verse and then—someplace within me—a valley of butterflies exploded into a sun!
Needless to say it’d sharpened my mode-of-expression: whenever I’m penning or editing a chapter and my progression freezes, poetry often serves as my literary icebreaker because it parks my mind in ‘figurative-mode’ so when I’m faced with icebergs (or complex sections of literature), I can identify angles I’d utilize to break bergs down to simpler parts.
Except I’d never read an author whose work resembled a whole fleet of ice breakers; although more about Mr. Collins later.
My January was also sensational because of my local literary/artistic community experience. On a Cleveland Public Theater website (cptonline.org), I learned of ‘The Dark Room’, a small theater where—every second Tuesday of the month—playwrights, novelist, poets, and other literary-types (of wide experience levels) gather to perform their work before a supportive (but critical) crowd for a first time. On January 10th nonetheless, I’d attended, witnessed several beginning playwrights hand their ten-page scripts (a maximum number allowed) to experienced/volunteer actors, and watched their work/dream take its first breaths before their eyes!! While no novelist had exhibited work however (…sigh! lol), the evening proved to be a heartening occasion (…yaay!)!
My second community experience nevertheless occurred on January 27th when I attended the Inaugural Poetry Slam at ‘Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern’, a bar near University Circle which specializes in serving create-your-own hot dog entrees. That evening, young adults from throughout Northeast Ohio packed the establishment to watch young poets crash a stage and compete against one another while exhibiting emotion-filled pieces on love, friendship, death, politics, and more. No props, music, or other accompaniment allowed; only the artist’s enthusiasm and her/his literary footprint on the world. The event however was tremendous in its own right, and while I trekked back to my automobile that snowy evening, I couldn’t help but believe the literary/artistic future of the region rested in spirited hands.
Okay, folks, given I’m approaching my six-hundred word ceiling, I’ll conclude by expressing Mr. Collins’ ‘The Rain in Portugal’ was so inspiring that for the month of February, I’ve decided to read/recommend a second Collins book of poetry entitled ‘Horoscopes for the Dead’. Also, given my renewed delight for the local literary community, I’ve decided to read/recommend a second February piece by highly honorable/accomplished Lorain, Ohio native Toni Morrison entitled ‘The Bluest Eye’, a tale about black, eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove and how she wished her eyes turned blue so she’d be as beloved as those with blue eyes.
Many thanks, folks, and enjoy an exceptional month!
Phil