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".