I'm still riding high off my first experience at Poetry Fest April 30th and I would not let another day go by without blogging about the events that lead me to meeting a poetry giant!
10am - The event has begun. I was driven to the event by my mother and riding in the back was my wife La Toya. Mom was doing a drive by to pick up a copy of CRAM 11 a Chicago publication from CJ Laity that selected my piece for inclusion. My mother goes in first picks up her copy when she is asked which poet was her daughter. I did not know until later in the day that the gentleman at the CRAM 11 table was CJ Laity. My mother comes back to the car to tell me that CJ quoted a line from my piece and that he was very enthusiastic about meeting me. This news moved me to tears. I am just one person writing but to know that someone thought enough of my writing to quote me, I wasn't prepared for the news.
I try to stay humble because I know I have many greats that went before me and I have a long way to go to ever be considered in the same sentence as Clifton, Dove, Hughes, Angelou or Giovanni.
11am - 12pm The Digital Speakeasy (workshop)
La Toya and I were left to explore the events and workshops. It was a pleasure having my honey by my side sharing this moment with me. She is an excellent source of support in my hobby of writing. We attended this workshop because it was about spoken word. The host was Brother Mike who mentors youth at Harold Washington Library through a group called Youmedia. The group has a very impressive section dedicated to the group that includes microphones, video equipment, DJ equipment, Mac computers and game systems. I was impressed with the existence of this group and the talent of the youth that was showcased during this workshop. We even recieved a live performance from one of the teens.
12pm - 1:30pm Unknown (workshop)
I feel terrible I cannot remember the name of this workshop and its not on the program I saved bummer! However, it was still a great workshop, we started off doing breathing exercises. Then a group activity where we had to stand in circle and express sound with action without words. Each person had to interpret the sound and action in their own way. It was great to be in a room of creative people from all backgrounds and proved you cannot tell a poet by what they look like. We also did some improv with simple words like "yes" and "no." This workshop included free writing exercises which also benefited me my sweetie even wrote a poem and read it aloud! We left quickly once the workshop ended as the time was nearing for the one event that really brought me to Poetry Fest.
2pm - 3pm Poetry Reading by Nikki Giovanni
La Toya went in to grab our seats. The staff had handed out tickets earlier in the day and we had numbers 53 and 54. I wasn't certain why tickets were needed for a free event but we had them all the same. I am just learning about the poetry greats it's my own independent education. Months ago I started reading about Nikki Giovanni and watching her interviews via youtube. I am totally drawn by Nikki Giovanni she is a true spirit. I listened to Ego Tripping only to realize I had heard it before somewhere and never knew who the poet was that made such a powerful piece. I spent some time in the hall before entering the auditorium there was a table set up with Nikki's books and I wanted to add one to my book collection. I chose the most logical book to choose "The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni 1968-1998." I hurried into the auditorium in time for the start of the read. Nikki Giovanni is amazing. She shared some stories from the past in particular about her son being a small child and his encounter with Muhammed Ali during a time when he was stripped of his boxing license. Nikki talked about a wide range of things from the president to being a black poet. She read some of her work including "Ego Trippin," how lucky I was to hear it live.
But wait there's more! After all was done there was a book signing the number on our tickets was our place in line and the ticket numbers went up to the 300's. I stood in line to meet Nikki Giovanni. Once I made it to the table I was introduced it was like a dream. I shook her hand secretly hoping some talent would rub off on me. She signed my book. I said some nice things to her but mostly thanking her for being in Chicago. She looked at me as if she could feel the sincerity of my words. La Toya was near with the camera and Nikki and I posed for a picture. My day was made and I'll never forget it, EVER!
Until we write again,
+thewritegift+
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