Since the House is Burning
The power of local poets
Even before we elected a monster, we faced immense problems of our own making. Some days, these problems feel so huge, it’s hard to breath into them. Yet in libraries, coffee shops, restaurants, and private homes, local poets meet regularly and share words about the immense challenges of our time.
It’s fun to watch a glittering star poet like Amanda Gorman speak truth from powerful podiums. At local poetry gatherings, Neighbors share truths with each other. This also matters. Maybe it even matters more, as it creates community.
We live on a ridge in Washington State, with the small town of Duvall right below. A single road runs through a fistful of restaurants, a great library, an Ace Hardware, and some other small businesses. There is a single grocery store. And many poets.
Last week, about twenty-five of us met in the cramped foyer of restaurant on a night when it is otherwise closed. No food, no coffee, no drinks. Just folding chairs and words. During the open mic opening, a geriatric man with a bent back and an old ring binder full of new work leaned against a table for balance and read a fresh poem about abuse of power. His wife read a series of Haiku. Their son performed a brilliant and uplifting improv. A woman read about protecting the transgendered among us. Every poem received applause.
The readers wore jeans and T-shirts and some had come right from work. Secret poets who otherwise farm or bag groceries, who attend or teach school, and some who retired a few decades ago.
Each month includes a featured reader. This month, Suzanne Edison shared poetry from her new book, Since the House is Burning, as well as some other new work. She was brilliant. Please consider following the link to pick up a copy of her poetry book.
Local poetry groups are a form of creative community accessible to many. Poetry is a form of written and spoken word that is often born from feelings, and these times, sharing words and support and emotions seems like a pretty good idea. It does take creative courage to write your truth and then speak it. It’s also quite cathartic. I want to leave you with some words Suzanne shared, “Since the house is burning, we might as well warm ourselves.”
Truth.
What’s next? I’m heading into Seattle to look at some art. I’ll report back.
