Members of MSA PPS and their friends got National Poetry Month off to a great start on Monday, April 8th.
Eleven readers participated in the open mic portion of the evening sharing poems on subjects as varied as playing games to the nature of poetry itself. A couple of voices from the past joined us when Brayden Sawatzky read Thurlow Gowan’s “Tom Connors” and Alvin Ens read William Henry Drummond’s “Leetle Bateese.” Alvin also reminded us of the Dr. William Henry Drummond poetry contest (deadline on April 15th) in which he and Shelly Haggard have placed in previous years.
MSA PPS Blue Moon Reading – open mic readers
More open mic and mingling during the break
After a a break we heard from featured reader Robert Martens. He told how surprised he was to discover his chapbook Poltergeist had made the bpNichol competition shortlist (seeing as how he hadn’t even entered the competition).
He told the story of the setting and read “triumph of the will (1975)” from Poltergeist. Other poems he shared included “i take my coffee black” (p. 11 of this PDF) and “Mother Cedar.” All were met with enthusiastic applause.
Featured Blue Moon reader Robert Martens
Thank you to all readers and especially Robert for a most enjoyable evening!
Now mark your calendars for the next Blue Moon Reading, scheduled for May 13th (6:30 − 8:30, Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, B.C.). On that night we’re hoping to celebrate the publication Nicholas Roberts’ new book. There will also be an open mic.
More to check out:
- More poetry by Robert Martens (linked on left sidebar)
- Poetry of our newest member – Lloyd Short
- Two new books by Emily Isaacson:
- Write! Vancouver – a conference for writers (May 24 & 25). Workshops include sessions for poets – details HERE.
Fraser Valley Poets Society 