before the internet

[revolutionR]

before the internet
I banged out words on a old typewriter
one word at a time, one day at a time
sometimes a poem would sit in the typewriter
for days on end, I would look at that black ink
and think, If I hit this key, the thing will bang
another printed word home, so many pieces
of paper were crumpled into balls
that went into the can, and a new piece of white
void would be rolled into the machine
and it would start all over again

before the internet
I went to readings, open mics
and would wait my turn to get up and read
some rolled up pages I had in my pocket
or in a note book, I always psyched myself up
before I got up to read my stuff, getting a little drunk
helped, I would have to take a deep breath, and let her rip
I never knew what would happen, i would get all wild eyed
and would look at the words, and try to read them as they
ran off the page, sometimes I would stare into the crowd
like looking into the eyes of some beast, I never knew
how the crowd would act, people would listen or not
they wanted to be entertained, or to see me get all crazy

[Doreen Peri]

I used to sit at my desk when I was an apartment manager, 1980s. IBM Selectric. No computer. Slow days (which were few because it was a very busy job!) ... I'd type poetry on the typewriter. I still have some of those in boxes somewhere, most never typed into the the computer. I should dig them out. I still go to poetry readings with a stack of printed poems in my hand, only figuring out which ones I'm going to read right before I get up on stage... but it's been a couple of years. I need to get back to it. I love poetry readings. They're so boring. Haha.. just kidding. Sorta. I like the ones where people bring instruments to play. I brought my old 68-key cheap yamaha keyboard a few times to accompany myself. The 88-key on a stand which I have now is too big to lug around. I need a pick-up truck.

Everybody needs a pick-up truck. I think I'll write a poem about it.

I would have loved to have been there to hear you read. Still wish you'd get yourself a handheld audio recorder and record us a few.

I would stare into the crowd
like looking into the eyes of some beast, I never knew
how the crowd would act, people would listen or not
they wanted to be entertained, or to see me get all crazy

Best description of a poetry reading I've read, I think. That's it, right there! They love it when ya get all crazy up there. And truly, they want to be entertained. Sometimes I think that's the goal of many people's lives.... to be entertained. This is why poems with humorous lines or punch lines at the end always go over well at poetry readings. Stand-up comedy poetry gets a good reception.

They also like pissed-off, angry poetry, I've found. If you get all riled up, they might even stop drinking for a few minutes and listen to every word. *smile*

"Poems go out in the air. People listen. Or don't." — Doreen Peri

[saw]

I can relate, and I too would often have a few shots of something strong to quell the nerves, because putting your mind on display in front of strangers can get a hack poet a little edgy

always felt good afterward, there was always at least one soul that came up to shake your hand and tell you how much they enjoyed your work...and that made me go back again

[Doreen Peri]

You're a good reader, Steve. It was great to hear you read Dino's poetry at his memorial tribute. I've never heard you read your own, unfortunately. When I went up to read at the Poetry in Baltimore Anniversary show, you didn't read that night. One day I'd like to hear you read your own material, preferably in person but if you have any recordings, posting some would be great!

[revolutionR]

it has been a long time since I read my poetry to an audiance, actully I did read out of my novel, when I was living in a community called we Jtopia recently, that also had a writer living there who wrote a strange book called Ong's Hat. When I read i just belted it out, and did not look at the crowd too much. I put a lot of expression on my reading. I have to say I miss the days before internet. But I would not have written my book without it.