Ruminating Poet Press

We had a fabulous day today at the Local Author Day sponsored by The Book Lady Bookstore and the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home in honor of Flannery's 100th birthday!

We got there early and my table was the first to be completely set up, with my sales assistants from Greg Steele's robot art and the lead salesman, Erasmus the Reading Dragon.

We enjoyed the dogs, the kids, the other authors, the Panhandle Slim exhibit, the music, and especially the closing parade! Go to my Facebook page to see a video of part of the parade.

I was particularly pleased to make a donation and get a large signed Panhandle Slim painting with a favorite William S. Burroughs quote.

It was a wonderful event. A big shout out to Joni of the Book Lady and the Childhood Home.

Got to meet and talk to poets Rosemary Daniell and Don Corelli and visit with many old friends.

I was particularly glad to see old friends Lu Fang and Ed Eckstrand.

Met and discussed poetry with several new people whom I hope to meet again, especially Malcolm. Aberjhani, and Matthew.

Last night I enjoyed a fine poetry reading at The Book Lady Bookstore. Shane McCrae read several new poems, as well as selections from his latest book, New and Collected Hell (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024), a book-length poem.

McCrae read well, but not excessively dramatically, and was honest and responsive in the Q&A. No bullshit.

McCrae is a formalist, preferring meter and rhyme, but primarily meter. His use of iambic pentameter is interesting and stimulating, not just a repeated and boring beat.

I bought and started his new book, and am enjoying it.