A Poet You Should Know Is

Martha Ronk. While in Chicago last week I spent a fair amount of time at Powell's thumbing through their used poetry. I found a book called Why/Why Not.

Here's a sneak peak:

GETTING A HOLD

The foreign objects are related to the accent
adopted on moving to the coast or the slang she picked up later
slung across the countertop or the glassy essence she was
drinking from a transparent object she got in a pawnshop
which defines what it’s like to hold a cup.

Or water running through one’s hands.

She meant to bring him some as well
and an invitation to an occasion she couldn’t name
like “getting hold of yourself” is wrapping a hand around
or a way of phrasing a song too fast to catch the words.

Two more poems here.

Re: Vampire Weekend

"They're good if you dig that Paul Simon rip off kind of thing. Which I do." - Paul

Meh.

Rotating Kitchen

rotating kitchen from Zeger Reyers on Vimeo.

A State of Affairs

Only 8.3% of Americans read poetry in 2008 (cha cha cha cha ch-eeck it out) That's approximately 25,000,000 people. I wonder how many of those people read something written within the last 10 years. Even within the last 50. Contemporary poetry, I would ASSUME, has a much different audience. 1%? It would be reassuring if it was even that.

with my poems I am purchased
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxtonight I believe this

vision rises like light to its wave

the exact moment a poem dies it takes root

- Tony Tost, from Elephant and Obelisk (Published here)

Graham Foust

Graham Foust from joshuamarie on Vimeo.

St. Vincent

Chicago Checklist:

I'm going to Chicago (I've never been) on January 22, 2010 until January 26, 2010. I will be compiling a list of things I would like to see while I am there.

I'd like to check this place out, and hopefully have some sort of conversation with someone involved with this. This is the sort of thing I'm interested in pursuing at some point in my life.

As much as I dislike poetry readings, in general, it might be nice to expose myself to a variety of them, demographically. I feel like Chicago might be more engaging? That still will do nothing for my inability to pay attention (unless you're Peter Gizzi) to your poems. Maybe they'll have an overhead projector? I could think of worse things to do, however. I might want to check this out. ***EDIT-Judging by the quick google search of the poets reading, I'm not so sure.***

The Art Institute of Chicago appears to have some interesting exhibitions showing during my time there. This looks interesting, among other things. I don't know much about the Museum of Contemporary Art, but it could prove to be interesting?

I've heard good things about POWELLS, but have never had the opportunity to see what it's all about. If any of you have any book requests, let me know.

This is more of a blog for me to keep track of possibilities. Feel free to offer suggestions as, like I said, I've never been to Chicago.

Update (01/05):

FRI. 1/22/10 (10:00pm; $10)

The Empty Bottle & Polyvinyl present "The Joan of Arc Don't Mind Control Variety Show"

Featuring:
Josh Abrams related: DRMWPN, Town & Country
A Tundra
Disappears
Jeremy Boyle
Lites Alive
Matt Clark
Motel Smell
Owen
Pillars & Tongues
The Zoo Wheel
Tim Kinsella
Vacations
plus a special performance by Slick Conditions and other surprise special guests

Out last month on Polyvinyl, Don’t Mind Control is a collection of 18 exclusive songs curated by JOAN OF ARC front man TIM KINSELLA from bands that all feature members who have played in JOAN OF ARC at one point in the band’s lustrous history. The release features the prowess of over 41 musicians and a 24 page photo book documenting KINSELLA and Co’s history of making music together. Tonight is a celebration of musical friendships and partnerships in the Chicago indie music scene that have changed and flourished over the last fifteen years.