I have been both the organizer and reader at these events for at about seven years now,
and the most consequential memory of these poetry readings so far is the one Bob Hershon, a founding editor of Hanging Loose Press and my publisher, organized for my first book at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. I read alongside Justin Jamail and Tom Devaney in a nice room with big windows, and there was a podium. People came to fill in the seats and I spoke to some of them afterwards. I signed some books. I talked to a guy who said he knew Ko Un (one of the poems I read that evening featured him) and I recall thinking that that was really cool but odd––knowing a poet of some reknown, I mean. I went to hear Yusef Komunyakaa some twenty years ago and at the time would never have thought to say anything to him, and the idea of knowing him would have been so alien to me at the time.
All this to say, the dynamic of reader to audience, poet reading out loud to people listening can be a strange out-of-body experience. I know you're there, but I have to, a little bit, pretend you're not. See what I mean?
All these readings I have under my belt and only now am I considering the people who show up to the bars, bookstores, community gardens, galleries, etc. to listen to my work. If I were to ask these people why they came, what would they say? Possible answer: "I'm not here to hear you, I'm here for (insert any other name)" OUCH!
And no one ever: "Your flyer on Instagram was so awesome, I had to come!"
But that's okay, after having two people show up for a reading in Connnecticut some years back, I am learning better how to keep perspective foremost. And by perspective, I mean just understanding that all these things we do to fill up our time isn't as important as we think they are.
I am not saying that being a poet and writer isn't important, it's just that all the things we do to keep up appearances is not as important. Nothing takes precedence over the actual work of thinking, reading, and living so that we may write.
Are you thinking less is more? As in don't drone on with your work? Exactly.
What your audience deserves is that you are respectful of their time so that your work will be as tight as possible. Edited to the best of your ability.
And a good reminder for all of us poets reading to others is that we are also the audience--meaning we are the first audience for ourselves. Meaning, we are in the dual position whereby we are creating and experiencing art that comes from our heart and soul.
Meaning, let's make sure we acknowledge that what we think about our work is really most important.
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