[Catherine Chandler]

I'll be leaving early on Tuesday, June 7, for the West Chester Poetry Conference, and will be back in Canada on Sunday afternoon, June 12. Hope all goes well here on TDE during my absence.

[Cally Conan-Davies]

Have a marvellous time, Cathy! Can we have a full report, with photos—please!!??

Cally

[Catherine Chandler]

Cally,

Thanks for the warm wishes. Actually, I'll be carrying neither my computer nor my camera. Unfortunately, I have developed a horrendous case of tendonitis in my right hand and arm (I saw the doctor today, finally, after 10 days with no relief). Even a purse and a carry-on bag will be a challenge. However, I'm sure others will be taking lots of pictures, at least I hope so!

[Tim Murphy]

Have a grand time, Cathy and everyone. See you next year.

[Catherine Chandler]

Found a computer in Sykes Hall and a nice young man logged me in.

What a great start to the conference last evening! Couldn't believe it only took me one hour to get from Montreal to Philadelphia. I met Julie Kane and Susan McLean at the airport. Also lots of other new poet friends.

We took the shuttle to West Chester and arrived just in time to drop our bags in our dorm rooms and walk down to the Faunbrook B&B for the welcoming reception.

What a lovely venue! What great wine and food! Most of all, what wonderful poets everywhere! Met Kim Bridgford, David Landrum and Alicia Stallings, and many others. Was glad to see so many very young poets here ; had a lovely conversation with Rhina.

Registration will begin here soon, so I'll log off. Am a bit nervous about my reading this afternoon, but the atmosphere is so warm and friendly, I guess I really needn't be worried.

Other events on today's schedule "Poetry as the Global Art" with Rhina as Chair and Bill Coyle and Micheal O'Siadhail on the panel. Then there's "The Formal Poetry Press: Niche or Ghetto" panel with Anna Evans chairing and Deborah Ager, Gerry Cambridge, Allison Joseph and David Yezzi on the panel.

Then the First Books panel with Len Krisak chairing, and readings by Andrew Sofer, Brett Foster, Michael Cantor reading from M A Griffiths' work, and myself. Then this evening the keynote reading by Robert Pinsky.

Cheers,
Cathy

[Cally Conan-Davies]

Oh, wow. What a great day, Cathy! It's wonderful to get news flashes from you in this way! I can't believe you're nervous about reading your work - are you kidding??!! Your poems will take the room by the ears of its mind! (I read your book over the last few days - dazzling range!).

Have a great day - hope your hands are holding out, and give Michael Cantor a kiss from me, and if you get a chance, give us a brief insight into Pinsky's speech.

Cally