Way To Feel Old

Thank you all so much for the kind wishes about the reading. I have to say, it went much better than I anticipated. Sadly, even with all my shameless self-promotion we were only able to produce an entourage of four--Sarah, of course (cause I made her come), our friend Siobhan, Kate (the young woman who replaced me at my job) and one lone blog reader (Dana, you rock!). Luckily, the way they set up the reading a whole group of people trying to eat dinner in peace were trapped into listening to us read. I will confess they actually looked like they enjoyed themselves, so it is possible they were there on purpose. Also, the magazine we read for, The Painted Bride Quarterly, seems to have about a dozen people working for it so that also helped give us warm bodies to read to. All in all, it was a good night--even if almost everyone we read to (we were very close to the University of Pennsylvania campus) was about twenty years old.

Sarah took lots of video, but the light was bad and a lot of it didn't turn out all that great, so you'll have to forgive the poor quality. I tried to improve the brightness a bit so it's kind of grainy, but it's the best I can do. Also, it was in a restaurant/bar type place so the audio is filled with clanks and bangs. Bonus: I had no idea that I stood with my arm at my side so awkwardly, and I totally messed up the last line of my poem. Oh well. Additionally, you all now have proof of how incredibly short I am: Charlie and I are both standing at the same microphone, set at the same height. Heh.

This is the first time using Flickr video, so let me know if you have any problems. Here is a poem by me called Furrows, my "signature" poem, probably the best poem I've ever written. The poem Charlie is reading is called The Message. Remember--you guys asked for this. Heh. Enjoy!

Comments

[Dawn]

That was awesome. There's no way I could get up in front of people and do that. Charlie had a little sing-song pattern to his that reminded me of preachers I've heard in the past....good preachers mind you. Congrats. Any plans on doing it again anytime soon?

[Celeste]

Wow, you guys have courage! I bet the turnout was impeded by the primary. Cecily, I see what you mean about your shortness--but I think you make up for it in attitude. Charlie, if I closed my eyes it was like hearing someone on the radio a long time ago.

Thanks for the readings, guys!

[sheilah]

Wow. I knew that Charlie had a great way with words (simile & metaphors particularly), but I really liked what he read.

I read once (don't remember who said it) that prose is "words in the right order" and poetry is "the right words in the right order." I think that Charlie is good at putting the right words together.

(You were great too...)

[Catherine]

Ah, you know we would have been there if we'd not been stuck in CC for my french lesson! I'm glad it went well. You guys both did great!

[Hazel]

You guys are both talented writers and readers. I'm jealous. I hope this builds your confidence and brings good things for you.

[Libby]

Wow - I am so impressed with both of you guys. Your poem was very affirming, and you have a smokin'hot sexy voice - I had no idea! And Charlie was insightful and hilarious at the same time. Congrats to you both!

[Jon]

Way to make me HOMESICK! ;)

Incredible, as always... and I hope... forever. In the next life, if there is another one, y'all better be there reading your stuff! You're part of what made this one WORTH IT! :)

[Mental P Mama]

You both did a great job from what I could tell on the tape...Please post more readings. Please?

[Melissa in TN]

Oh wow! I am so impressed by anyone who can write the way you and Charlie do. And I'm even more impressed by someone who can get up in front of an audience and read what they wrote. That was very cool. You are both so talented. Thanks for sharing.

[watercolor]

If I weren't in Mississippi I would have come to listen. Glad it went well!!

[Christine]

Hey...that was really good! Awesome poems, though yours, C, made me wonder if there were kids in the audience? Ha ha. You know how us mommas are always thinking of stuff like that. Honestly I have no idea where you were, maybe it was a bar, maybe it was a play group, who cares. :)

It was awesome! You both are very talented and have strong, beautiful voices. Please, please do this again for us SOON!!!

[Christine]

Duh! On closer inspection I see it was a club you were performing at. :)

[jenn]

Outstanding! You may have been nervous as hell, but you both have such a relaxed demeanor behind the mike that I'd never have known. Great poems, too...thanks so much for sharing this! I'd love to see more of your poetry here - any plans to share?

[nanarocksween]

It was hard for me to hear all the words...
are your poems posted somewhere, so I can read them too.
Thanks! You guys rock :)

[Leta]

Cecily, you looked like a poet. You sounded like one, too.

Charlie, on the other hand, looked like a pipe fitter, and sounded like a minister, which was interesting. Very interesting.

[-erica]

I am west of Philly, near Phoenixville, and I would have come in, except Tuesday is my busiest evening. My boys have dance classes and I am taxi-driver. And May 3rd I will be out of town, way out of town actually, in LA. So you picked BAD DAYS to have your events :-)

[-erica]

I mean May 5th.

[Alison]

You both rock!!! I wish I could have been there!!!

[Antigone]

You have a nice voice.

[JuliaKB]

Nice, the both of you.
(fellow shorty here, btw)