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.
Monday, June 29, 2009
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...
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