By leaving NYC for greener pastures, after being such an ardent member of that poetry scene, I gutted myself in a way.
I’m so appreciative of the vibrant, tight knit community of wordsmiths that have been so welcoming to me on the Clubhouse app, where Mike Guinn Entertainment is hosting a book launch for The Animated Universe.
I started saying poems on the app last year. It’s like going to an open mic on your phone. I appreciate that it is not about appearances. Literally. It’s about the intimacy of the voice, and the power it carries on the wings of poems. You can open the app pretty much anytime and bet there’s a poetry room going on.
These already-established communities of poets from around the USA and world has helped me to come out of what feels like reitrement from saying poems to large crowds on a regular basis.
Now, I’m just a line up of avatars on a virtual stage, alongside new and experienced writers alike. It’s a devoted community. Many poets are on the app every day, supporting each other, doing writing prompts together, shooting the shit, and putting on innovative productions on the app.And the vibe is always welcoming, nurturing, and uplifting in these spaces. I haven’t sensed any divisiveness or competition.
So, it’s been a safe place for me to fall back in love with my poems, as I’ve been pulling out pieces that I I haven’t seen or uttered in 15 years, reading them like I’m 20 again, reading them like they’re new. Like I’m new. It’s also been food to hold space for others in this commitment to expressing our humanity to one another in this beautiful way.
So, I’ll be launching The Animated Universe on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 6pm EST. I hope to see your avatars in the audience.
Clubhouse, in general, is great for anything you desire conversation and community around. I highly recommend downloading it. It’s definitely the wave of my future, a global village of poetry devotees in the palm of my hand.
Hosted by the marvelous Michael Guinn!