Now, let me give you the unabridged edition!
It was fantastic! Trotter’s was a terrific venue – great coffee (actually, my first great coffee since landing in America!!) and convivial atmosphere. Maryann played to a full house as if she were a virtuoso poetry reader rather than a first-timer. In fact, Jim - who coordinates this reading series, and introduced Maryann (see photo) - was stunned when I told him this was Maryann’s first poetry reading. He told me Maryann’s reading was the best they have had. And he was even more stunned at the quality of the poems she read.
You know the thread on GT at the moment giving advice for first readings? Well – we should all have gone on an excursion to Trotter’s for an exemplary experience. Maryann gave everyone a booklet containing all the poems, and she read 17 of the 18 poems printed there. It was great to have the choice of either reading along while listening, or looking at Maryann. I spent about half the time watching her animated, pure and unaffected presence, and followed the words of particularly complex pieces. The reading ran 5 minutes over – she kept us thoroughly entertained, and often spellbound, for 45 minutes. It felt like only 5 minutes had passed! It could have run for an hour longer – I wasn’t anywhere near replete with poetry when she finished. What made it really special was the way she connected each poem with a brief narrative thread – yes – the connective narration was inspired, artful, intelligent, witty – seamless. Oh yes – it was impressive – a genuinely artful performance.
Afterwards, I started chatting with a table of college students sitting beside me, and they were first time attendees of a poetry reading, and they told me how great it had been for them – as creative writing students – as they felt the meaning of the poetry so much more by hearing it read aloud with real feeling, humour and expressiveness, and – yes – joy. Their thrilled reaction alone was reason enough to call this event a success. But the truth is, the entire audience was lit with joy. Yes indeed, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Later, of course, it was a delight to sit and talk with Maryann and a few friends. As one friend spoke about Minnesotan winter, Maryann and I had the same idea for a poem simultaneously, so now I had better stop writing this so I can try to write that poem before Maryann does!
Maryann – my profound thanks for a delightful and memorable evening.
A full house.
Introducing Maryann Corbett
Spherians present - Maryann Corbett, Cally Conan-Davies, Richard Meyer.
Maryann Corbett at Trotter's, June 24
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