Great article from my friend Lori May.
Lowell, MA
… actually it’s Tewksbury, MA. Actually it’s the industrial playground of defense contractors, the IRS, and corporate lawyers. Actually it’s the large First Baptist Church with looming shadow over a jigsaw fragment of a bedroom community. Actually it’s the multiple Dunkin Donuts tucked into three gas stations within five minutes of one another. Actually it’s the hotel bar which closed by 9. Actually it’s broken ice machine on my floor. Actually it’s the night desk clerk sleeping when I come down for a toothbrush and toothpaste. Actually it’s two beds still made. Actually it’s Alex Chilton, Paul Westerberg, Jack White, Neko Case, and Nick Cave. Actually it’s Larry Levis, Philip Levine, and Patton Oswalt. Actually it’s the pale blue sameness of ESPN, A&E, HBO, or TWC. Actually it’s bags still packed. Actually it’s just Tewksbury, MA on a Tuesday night.
“East/West” from The Literary Lounge Oct. 2010. Thanks to Salena for shooting the video. (Note: the video is on FB so you may have to log in to see it.)
There is only one Patricia Smith. Her poetry is incandescent and her stage presence is second to none. She defies the academic categorization “slam poet;” creating on the page in a way that only few can…And she is reading at Keystone College (Evans Hall) tonight @ 7pm. The reading is free and open to the public. This clip is of Patricia reading A Motown Crown of Sonnets: Form and performance—style and substance. Motown and poetry. If you’ve never seen Patricia Smith I won’t hold it against you, but you should probably get out more…
