Last Saturday afternoon saw another of the increasingly popular poetry readings at the Branch Library from 1:30 to 3. As usual, the event was emceed by Dotty Morris and featured some of the members of her South Boston writing group. You may or may not know that, in addition to the many other cultural outlets in South Boston, there is an informal but very active number of people engaged in cultural writing. The public is always welcome at these readings in the Branch Library; watch for the next one yourself. They are free.
Dotty Morris, a poet in her own right, served skillfully as the afternoon’s Emcee. Rick Winterson began the 90-minute session with a brief discussion of Shakespearean sonnets, and their ongoing value 400 years after Shakespeare’s death in Stratford on Avon. We haven’t enough space to mention everyone in detail, but there were many high-quality readings.
Pater Schofield began the readings with the sharp imagery of his “I Walked the Island, referring to Castle Island, of course. Elaine Croce Happnie read a delightful poem about the “T’s” Red Line. Lorie Walsh followed with her sardonic poem “Lunch”, which reveals the bigotry that penetrates so many of our seemingly innocent gatherings.
Many of you might think that poetry is always a serious, serious pursuit. You can’t be blamed for having that opinion, after being inundated with so-called “confessional poetry” late in the last century. However, last Saturday in the Branch Library, humorous poetry abounded, including limericks. Bob Russell read a poem by English lyricist W.S. Gilbert, Dan McCole told an Irish ghost story (hey, Halloween is coming, after all), and Joe Kebartas closed the readings with “Joe Longlegs, Sue Shortlegs”, which had a happy, short-legged ending.
It was a good session. Be sure to attend next time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the poetry and the fun you’ll have listening to the “voices of South Boston”. The poetry readings are open to adults, from young adults (the politically correct term for teenagers) to mature men and women – the current record is held by a poet and one of Saturday’s readers – Mary Doriot, who has turned 97.
And please attend the Library Book Sale on Saturday, November 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Lorie Walsh’s “Musical Memories” Singalong on Monday, November 28, at 1 p.m.
