Although I have heard from several individuals indicating they did their part for Guerrilla Poetry Day, yesterday, I am personally disappointed that leg cramps kept me from completing my personal goal (although the three performances I did give in Virginia and Washington, DC, were pretty cool).
Dan McTaggart and I are discussing the next GPD, and some plans to organize and expand on it.
More later.
Thanks to all who joined in!!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Day's Dispatches....part 1
Have word from a few friends overseas (and a few hardy souls who stayed up late enough last night to make it into this morning) of their exploits for Guerrilla Poetry Day. Bravo and Brava, all around.
I headed out this morning, having made some last minute changes to my itinerary and splitting it into two "waves".
Read "couplet/passion" to the order-taker at the McDonalds in Sterling, Virginia. I think she was confused.
Did "goblins in my attic" and "My Electric Lady" in front of the American Psychological Association building in Washington, DC. A street person yelled at me, something about Jesus.
Then, made a ride up to Embassy Row to do "Queen Protea" in front of the South African Embassy.
Later today, more madness. Madness? This is Poetry!
I headed out this morning, having made some last minute changes to my itinerary and splitting it into two "waves".
Read "couplet/passion" to the order-taker at the McDonalds in Sterling, Virginia. I think she was confused.
Did "goblins in my attic" and "My Electric Lady" in front of the American Psychological Association building in Washington, DC. A street person yelled at me, something about Jesus.
Then, made a ride up to Embassy Row to do "Queen Protea" in front of the South African Embassy.
Later today, more madness. Madness? This is Poetry!
The Day Arrives
Already have received a few dispatches from the fronts...not expecting many, but gratified, nonetheless.
Hitting the ground running, momentarily...
Hitting the ground running, momentarily...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
using Metro to get around
It hit me yesterday that I was not taking into account the Washington, DC, area Metrorail for shuttling me between Guerrilla Poetry hits. That changed today as I went over schedules.
I will use the system for a few pin-point targeting moves in DC, Virginia and Maryland, and don't be surprised if I show up near or at key monuments, including Arlington National Cemetary ("Our Children Lie at Arlington" would be a good read there). I will still go wheels for Pennsylvania (near Gettyburg) and West Virginia (near Harpers Ferry, perhaps?)
This is just starting to get good...adrenaline up about 30%. Testosterone...you don't want to know.
I will use the system for a few pin-point targeting moves in DC, Virginia and Maryland, and don't be surprised if I show up near or at key monuments, including Arlington National Cemetary ("Our Children Lie at Arlington" would be a good read there). I will still go wheels for Pennsylvania (near Gettyburg) and West Virginia (near Harpers Ferry, perhaps?)
This is just starting to get good...adrenaline up about 30%. Testosterone...you don't want to know.
Monday, June 29, 2009
homestretch
I have heard from poets on multiple continents and in multiple states of the US who are planning to do at least a single act of Guerrilla Poetry on the day (July 5th). If you are still on the fence about it, don't force it. Make sure you have a poem or two on you, or that you've memorized, and if the spirit moves you at a cookout with your family, while eating at a fast food restaurant, whatever...
to quote the illustrious Jerry LaCroix of Edgar Winter's White Trash:
"If you feel like letting it out, then Hot Damn, let it out."
Me, I plan to be everywhere I can reach and hit and run so much there will be rumours I've been cloned.
to quote the illustrious Jerry LaCroix of Edgar Winter's White Trash:
"If you feel like letting it out, then Hot Damn, let it out."
Me, I plan to be everywhere I can reach and hit and run so much there will be rumours I've been cloned.
Monday, June 22, 2009
advice for GPD
With the day only 13 days away, we are coming up on tough decisions...so I decided to make it easy on some of you by giving you some sage advice regarding the proper use of guerrilla poetry.
1) Pick the works you know and can read or recite well. Saves the audience.
2) Select the audience well. No Swinburne in sports bars. No Ginsberg in church.
3) Don't take the concept too seriously. Don't wear camouflage and face paint and jump out at strangers. You could get shot.
4) Don't be afraid to bring your own audience. Friends or family can add a layer of security. Except mine, they throw things.
5) Remember, you're not in this alone.
Have a safe and splendiferous Guerrilla Poetry Day on July 5th.
1) Pick the works you know and can read or recite well. Saves the audience.
2) Select the audience well. No Swinburne in sports bars. No Ginsberg in church.
3) Don't take the concept too seriously. Don't wear camouflage and face paint and jump out at strangers. You could get shot.
4) Don't be afraid to bring your own audience. Friends or family can add a layer of security. Except mine, they throw things.
5) Remember, you're not in this alone.
Have a safe and splendiferous Guerrilla Poetry Day on July 5th.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
thank you, Arlo Guthrie
I was asked over the weekend if I worry about the level of turnout for Guerrilla Poetry Day on July 5th and my answer was "snort".
"Snort" in that I reject the premise of the question.
If I, and only I, stand up in a few corners of reality and read a few poems then sit down, finish my iced tea and then drive to the next locale, it's a success.
But if two, two poets stand up and read poetry aloud in various parts of the world on the appointed day, it will be an even greater success, and someone might take notice.
But if three, three poets walk in and read their poems (in harmony) the world might go "This is a movement". And they'll be right.
If the size of a group mattered in its survival or legitimacy, we'd have one world religion (Islam, I believe), one US political party (Democratic) and one TV show (constant re-runs of American Idol). Ew. How boring.
Everything starts small. It's the passion and integrity that causes it to grow. I want every poet and spoken word artist out there to consider whether or not they will participate. I will give them morale support, guidance, a sense of having their back and even what publicity I can if they tell me what they are going to do, are doing, or have done (would I love some pictures, audio or video clips? yes!).
Snort. And ook!
And the title of this entry is based on the paraphrase of a key passage from Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant".
"Snort" in that I reject the premise of the question.
If I, and only I, stand up in a few corners of reality and read a few poems then sit down, finish my iced tea and then drive to the next locale, it's a success.
But if two, two poets stand up and read poetry aloud in various parts of the world on the appointed day, it will be an even greater success, and someone might take notice.
But if three, three poets walk in and read their poems (in harmony) the world might go "This is a movement". And they'll be right.
If the size of a group mattered in its survival or legitimacy, we'd have one world religion (Islam, I believe), one US political party (Democratic) and one TV show (constant re-runs of American Idol). Ew. How boring.
Everything starts small. It's the passion and integrity that causes it to grow. I want every poet and spoken word artist out there to consider whether or not they will participate. I will give them morale support, guidance, a sense of having their back and even what publicity I can if they tell me what they are going to do, are doing, or have done (would I love some pictures, audio or video clips? yes!).
Snort. And ook!
And the title of this entry is based on the paraphrase of a key passage from Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant".
Thursday, June 4, 2009
maybe...maybe...
Only about a month until Guerrilla Poetry Day (July 5th) and I want to hear from people who are certain they will be reading somewhere on that day. You don't have to tell me what or where or for who, just let me know you're going to be part of the worldwide reading chain of that day.
I have been asked to try and add the Carolinas to my multi-state schedule that day. Sheesh...
I have been asked to try and add the Carolinas to my multi-state schedule that day. Sheesh...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
urban dictionary recognizes guerrilla poetry
The Urban Dictionary has recognized and accepted "guerrilla poetry" as an entry.
Check it out here:
guerrila poetry
Thanks again to one and all getting on board, special thanks to the man, Dan McTaggart.
Check it out here:
guerrila poetry
Thanks again to one and all getting on board, special thanks to the man, Dan McTaggart.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
strategies to bolster your nerves
Okay, so Guerrilla Poetry Day comes and you can't get the gumption up to stand up and read aloud a poem or two before running for the door? Here's a few tactics that will help.
1) Do it with a friend or two. Agree to meet when and where you are going to do your "attack" and then each of you deliver, reading not to the empty air or the disinterested crowds around you, but to one another. It helps.
2) Arrange it. The crowd may not know it, but if you get permission ahead of time from the cafe or bookstore owner, that's not a bad idea. I'm considering one of my readings being at a bookstore that I know carries several of my books. I just stroll in, off the street, pick up one of my own books, read a few pre-selected passages and walk out. That easy.
Anybody else have some suggestions?
1) Do it with a friend or two. Agree to meet when and where you are going to do your "attack" and then each of you deliver, reading not to the empty air or the disinterested crowds around you, but to one another. It helps.
2) Arrange it. The crowd may not know it, but if you get permission ahead of time from the cafe or bookstore owner, that's not a bad idea. I'm considering one of my readings being at a bookstore that I know carries several of my books. I just stroll in, off the street, pick up one of my own books, read a few pre-selected passages and walk out. That easy.
Anybody else have some suggestions?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
connecting the dots
I have a few people who have pledged to take part, and I want to give everyone who is actually planning to take part a chance to leak their participation...so if you do decide to be a part of Guerrilla Poetry Day this July 5th, drop me a line and let me know so I can make sure you get some play for it.
The multi-state idea appeals to me more the more I ponder it. The cities and towns I am sure to include on my route are Sterling (VA), Morgantown (WV), Frederick and Cumberland (MD) and looking for good times/sites in DC and Pennsylvania on that day. Yes, that would make it 4 states + the District of Columbia. A good days recital.
I could perhaps stretch it, and even am still contemplating going airborne. Maybe I can get an airline to not only cut me a deal on airfare but also allow me to read a poem or two in flight? Perhaps.
The multi-state idea appeals to me more the more I ponder it. The cities and towns I am sure to include on my route are Sterling (VA), Morgantown (WV), Frederick and Cumberland (MD) and looking for good times/sites in DC and Pennsylvania on that day. Yes, that would make it 4 states + the District of Columbia. A good days recital.
I could perhaps stretch it, and even am still contemplating going airborne. Maybe I can get an airline to not only cut me a deal on airfare but also allow me to read a poem or two in flight? Perhaps.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Multi-state Reading for GPD
I have decided, for GPD, to do a multi-state manic poetry assault. Hit and run tactics.
To keep it simple, I will pick most of the targets in advance, and where there might be problems with proprietors, etc, let them know what's up. Some might even welcome the publicity. I would start just after midnight and go probably until midnight.
I will probably hit targets in the Virginia, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania and West Virginia area (although I have one idea that involved boarding a plane and reading on both coasts in that one day). Hmmm...maybe some kind airline would even not object if I did a reading on the plane.
If you have worked with me on a project you know that when I am deprived of sleep I become manic. So this should be interesting. I might even try and put together a "wolf pack" to travel with me for part of the run, perhaps trading off at different points.
Or maybe I like the idea of hitting and moving, with no one knowing where I am or where I will be next.
As others announce their intentions to take part in Guerrilla Poetry Day, I will add their names to this blog...
To keep it simple, I will pick most of the targets in advance, and where there might be problems with proprietors, etc, let them know what's up. Some might even welcome the publicity. I would start just after midnight and go probably until midnight.
I will probably hit targets in the Virginia, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania and West Virginia area (although I have one idea that involved boarding a plane and reading on both coasts in that one day). Hmmm...maybe some kind airline would even not object if I did a reading on the plane.
If you have worked with me on a project you know that when I am deprived of sleep I become manic. So this should be interesting. I might even try and put together a "wolf pack" to travel with me for part of the run, perhaps trading off at different points.
Or maybe I like the idea of hitting and moving, with no one knowing where I am or where I will be next.
As others announce their intentions to take part in Guerrilla Poetry Day, I will add their names to this blog...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
I am not a rock, nor an island
Looking for regional coordinators for Guerrilla Poetry Day. No major obligations, just people who can spread the word and answer basic questions, even serve as media liaisons if need be.
Leave a comment or drop me a line if you want to help out.
Leave a comment or drop me a line if you want to help out.
Monday, May 18, 2009
launching Guerrilla Poetry Day for 2009
Reprinted from my blog at cityoflegends.com
Ook! No, not that sort of "guerrilla". The concept comes from a discussion that I and Dan "The Man" McTaggart had a few years ago about performing poetry in spontaneous settings. I dubbed it "guerrilla poetry", he wrote a poem about it that appears in his book "Midnight Muse in a Convenience Store" as I recall.
A few days ago I resurrected the concept...not with Dan but on Twitter, and got some nibbles from like-minded poets around the world. So, there it is, the genesis of a start of a concept of a prototype of a dream of a whim of a thought of an idea.
But, it looks like people are looking to me to take the lead (I hate leading, I find it gets in the way of getting to criticize people). So, here it is...
I, William F. DeVault, poet, author, pretty decent human being and blogger superior, do hereby declare July 5th as "Guerrilla Poetry Day".
The concept is simple. On July 5th, at some point, in public (in private is a little masturbatory, don't ya think?) you will stand up and read or recite, aloud, 1 - 3 works. More than three might be tedious, less than one may confuse people. You will then just sit down as if nothing just happened, or depart. If asked, you just tell them to look into Guerrilla Poetry Day on the web, or at our official blog at http://guerillapoetryday.blogspot.com .
We will evolve more details and structures as time passes. I hope to be able to report on efforts by others and even set up a place for people to report on July 5th as they complete their "attacks". The time of day of your attack is not important...but do it during that day in your timezone.
Ook! No, not that sort of "guerrilla". The concept comes from a discussion that I and Dan "The Man" McTaggart had a few years ago about performing poetry in spontaneous settings. I dubbed it "guerrilla poetry", he wrote a poem about it that appears in his book "Midnight Muse in a Convenience Store" as I recall.
A few days ago I resurrected the concept...not with Dan but on Twitter, and got some nibbles from like-minded poets around the world. So, there it is, the genesis of a start of a concept of a prototype of a dream of a whim of a thought of an idea.
But, it looks like people are looking to me to take the lead (I hate leading, I find it gets in the way of getting to criticize people). So, here it is...
I, William F. DeVault, poet, author, pretty decent human being and blogger superior, do hereby declare July 5th as "Guerrilla Poetry Day".
The concept is simple. On July 5th, at some point, in public (in private is a little masturbatory, don't ya think?) you will stand up and read or recite, aloud, 1 - 3 works. More than three might be tedious, less than one may confuse people. You will then just sit down as if nothing just happened, or depart. If asked, you just tell them to look into Guerrilla Poetry Day on the web, or at our official blog at http://guerillapoetryday.blogspot.com .
We will evolve more details and structures as time passes. I hope to be able to report on efforts by others and even set up a place for people to report on July 5th as they complete their "attacks". The time of day of your attack is not important...but do it during that day in your timezone.
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