It might seem strange to have an aggregate image of other people to reflect the June 18th book launch party for my own book Periodic Boyfriends but my favorite part of the event was undoubtedly the spontaneous lineup of readers who recited the postcard poems that had been handed out at the door. When I first came up with this idea, I expected three to five people might participate. In fact, closer to 15 stepped up to the mic to deliver fresh interpretations of the sonnets they'd been given. I credit the infectious energy of Regie Cabico, my publisher and emcee, fellow poet and longtime friend. His inviting energy was hard to resist.
And Sunday night at the Bureau of General Services — Queer Division in NYC wasn't the only book release shindig full of pleasurable surprises for me. The night before at D.C.'s Dupont Underground was an evening to relish as well: A Pride Spoken Word Showcase and Poetry Slam presented by Homo Stanzas with Capturing Fire and featuring cohosts Casey Catherine Moore and Regie Cabico as well as featured poets Adrian Gaston Garcia, Dwayne Lawson-Brown, Jessica Genia Simon, and Ryan Artes followed by comedian Kim Villamera. A slam event took place shortly after the comic set but I had to rush off to catch the train back to NYC and sadly had to miss it. (I heard it was great!) Click here to buy Periodic Boyfriends on Amazon. Click here to buy Periodic Boyfriends on Bookshop.
Photographs of readers by Miriam Berkley.
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