From the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association Website
Louisa gave birth here, rocked the cradle while her husband stacked cedar shingles in layers and rows. Today, on the grounds of the house where it all began, you can see poetry readings and take workshops. Quincy Troupe, Daniela Gioseffi, Brendan Constantine and musician, Kelvyn Bell, graced the interpretive center on the WWBA grounds yesterday.
Constantine comes from L.A. and I think you still can catch him read in NY at the KGB bar before he flies back. Loved this poem, “Before the Flood” from his new book, Calamity Joe. Listen to this, “My father remembers nothing. Or rather/ he remembers where it used to be-See/ that building? When I was a kid there was/ nothing there. And next door, where/ that school is, nothing.”
Did you hear your dad too? I did.
And then Daniela Gioseffi read, “Unfinished Autobiography for My Daughter,” from Blood Autumn, “Now, I take you, Daughter,/ to the woods to meet the scarlet maples,/ feed the wild deer, crush the leaves/ and acorns with your steps, dance/ in the moonlight, your mother is no orphan, / like hers was….”
Her voice quivers passionately when she reads and professes her religion called poetry, Whitman, Dickinson, Emerson, transcendental all.
I’m listening now to Quincy Troupe’s “My Poems have Holes Sewn into Them.” and “they run searching for light and the end of tunnels they become trains….”
My husband the musician listens in, our worlds meet.
George Wallace, the host, is not only a talented writer, but he knows how to curate readings. The series is called Walking with Whitman: Poetry in Performance and it runs all year. (check the website for schedule & the list of famous poets you won’t want to miss, www.waltwhitman.org)
WRITING PROMPTS:
- Gioseffi spoke about American poets, transcendental writers. Where do you find the divine outside of your religion? Is poetry your religion too? In a certain slant of light, what do you see?
- Whenever I’m at Walt’s birthplace, I always think of his mother. Must be the word “birth” in the landmark’s title. Or maybe I just pick up on her vibe. Imagine you are Walt Whitman’s mother or simply imagine you’re someone else and write a persona poem.
- Listen to some Miles Davis as you free write. (Quincy wrote his biography in case you’re wondering where this prompt fits in.)
WHEN YOU FINISH WRITING:
- Go visit your local dead author’s house. Walt’s on Long Island and Camden, NJ. Emily’s in Amherst, MA. I remember walking in London in the rain just to stand outside Virginia Woolf’s house & again in Dublin for Joyce a few years later. The sun is out. Plan a road trip.
- Come on back and hit “Reply” to post your story, poem or excerpt from this prompt. Follow my Facebook page for more good stuff: http://www.facebook.com/StefanieLipsey.Writer.
- Visit my website: www.stefanielipsey.com for event info and blog, writingyoga.com for all things writing & yoga.
Thank you so much for visiting. I consider each click an honor.
