For those in the Baldwin City, KS, area,
here's an upcoming poetry event and poems inspired by it:
Baldwin City Library February 16th at 7:00
p.m. The Library Friends will offer Beatnik Night, and the Activity Room will be transformed into a hip coffee
house, with bongo drums, candle lighting, and refreshments by Jitters. For information contact: Mary Lou Klein marylou.klein@gmail.com
BEATNIK NIGHT
IN BALDWIN CITY, KANSAS By Lindsey Martin-Bowen
for Denise Low-Weso
They’re all
here—those hip ghosts from the past,
Burroughs, Waldrum,
Ginsberg, Kerouac—
Ferlinghetti’s
riding a Ferris
wheel behind the
City Library,
where everyone’s
in black, fingers snap
Bohemian
drumbeats, and bongos
back up poetry
readings ranging
from whispers to
shouts and the rhythm
of sticks beating
hard as blood pulsing
through arteries
after tough swimming
in the Y on a
February
day, icy with
charcoal smells, when
berets on ears
fail to keep them warm.
It’s still a cool way to brave the storm.
It’s still a cool way to brave the storm.
Lindsey
Martin-Bowen ©2016
BLACK by Barry R. Barnes
Beret
turtleneck sunglasses
Smoky
dark room
Slap of
bongos
Thump of
bass
Feel
that beat
Nick
The
things I learned
From
sixties TV sitcoms
Barry R Barnes © 2016
Triggered By Lindsey Martin-Bowen
Further details
about Beatnik Night: All ages are invited to share poetry readings, their own
work or that of others. A five-minute time limit will be enforced by musical
intervention. No applause will be allowed, but in true beatnik fashion,
appreciative finger snapping is encouraged. While the Friends Board members
plan to come in black clothing complete with berets, no costumes are required
for participants. Come one, come all, to enjoy a unique experience of literary
fun!
