Friday I opted to do nothing – no tourist jaunts to conserve my energy for the Fire start later in the day. After hitting the DuPont club I went over to Ted’s Bulletin on 14th for their big breakfast. After a 10 to 15 minute wait for a table turned into 25 I left – clearly Friday is not a good day for someone wanting a single booth. Busboys & Poets was near by so I had a great burger there.
Rested at hotel. Selected the right shirt for the show. Left around 4:30 to give myself time to get lost finding the venue. Metro was simple enough as I get used to it. I got off at Chinatown/Gallery & even found the right direction on 7th. The maps all made Woolly Mammoth appear to close to 6th & D corner – where in fact it was nearly on the corner for 7th. A bit of walking in circles & I found it 🙂
Got my copy of the Stoked Words anthology. Lots of restaurants to choose from as this was centre of the theatre district. Chicken caesar & back to Woolly. Lots of familiar faces & the same old story. People starting conversations while looking over your shoulder for someone more compelling to talk to. I didn’t even bother trying to respond tho ‘how are you’ knowing full well they wouldn’t stay long enough to hear my response.
One poet asked what pronoun I preferred – which I think is great – but they were offended when I said ‘it.’ Rather than engage they rushed off to hug & chat with fiends who where less ‘challenging.’ It was great to see the Toronto crew though Charlie – in the demanding role of Slam Coordinator; D’Scribe in the demanding role of themself 🙂
The book launch was a true lesson in diversity, voice, style and world-view. With nearly 30 poets – or was it more, I lost count – I felt washed, baptized, sanctified & blessed. I also was reminded that the deeper the suffering the greater the authenticity. I don’t suffer enough, in my writing, to be considered authentic.
By the time all the poets had read I was exhausted to the point where I couldn’t hear anymore. Not that I was deaf but I wasn’t able to absorb any more poetry. I made my weary way back to the Fairfax. slipped more than my shoes. Checked my email. Laid down & fell asleep instantly. My sleep was deep and authentic.
on of my pieces in the anthology – not quite as it appears there as I tweaked it while waiting to perform 🙂
Oogie Inferno
if you’re thinkin’ I’m too cool to boogie
boy oh boy have I got news for you
I love the sweaty potential of the dance floor
the solid mass of men mobile shifting
eagerly crammed crowded by the bass line
the righteous revival fever of a contralto
everybody here tonight must boogie
let me tell ya’ I was no exception to the rule
the heat was on (burnin’),
rising to the top, huh!
eyes closed hands open
shirtless strutters in sweat soaked satin shorts
muscles bloated bellies
a guy spinning in circles in his wheelchair
no one cares
as flesh wound around pulled by the driving
boogie oogie oogie
an endless moment of contact high
thigh to thigh contact
the heat was on, rising to the top
where the keyboard was underfoot
put your feet to the beat
peak after peak of solid state sweat
turn this beat around
no voice heard that wasn’t amplified
no time to waste
let’s get this show on the road
listen to the music and let our bodies flow
yowsa yowsa yowsa dance dance dance
shame shame shame
we were shimmering glittering
ready to take on the future
beep beep toot toot
I love the moment of stepping into the mass
the sooner I begin the longer I’ve got to groove
listen to the music and let bodies move
make a space for myself
get approving once overs
then not care who’s lookin’
but when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
Burn baby burnin’ the house down
gonna boogie oogie oogie
till you just can’t boogie no more
I love the blur as I am transported
out the body out of the mind
satisfaction (uhu hu hu) in the chain reaction
released from all sense of self
except for the one caught immersed
push push in the bush bush
lost for hours
boogie oogie oogie
taking a breather wet glistening
asked what are you on
having my answer of nothing disbelieved
as if the music and testosterone
aren’t enough for me to
burn that cocksucker down
because have I got news for you
this could be the last dance
everybody here tonight must
boogie oogie oogie
