Dear you,
Since mid-1997, the New York City poetry slam scene has been more or less at the center of my life. Though more right-of-center these days, and considerably less significant in the bigger picture, there’s two things I will always cherish about the experience: founding a little bit louder, and the Friends I’ve made. While the reason for the former should be pretty obvious, I make a specific distinction in referring to Friends.
When I got married in 1998, there was a healthy contingent of poets at the wedding, including my best man. A year on the scene, I was still in the initial glow of finding a community of similar-minded people bound by poetry and, transient that I was, they became the majority of my friendships, practically like family. If I picture that day now, picture the table where they all sat together, the fact that I can’t quite remember who they all were suggests none of them remain friends, never mind Friends. [After checking with Salomé on who was there, I’d say I consider a couple of them acquaintances these days, as opposed to those I’ve simply cut off or lost contact with.]
I first heard of you in 1999 from Al Letson. He emailed me, saying you were cool people and were either visiting or had just moved to NYC. As I remember it, he’d told you about louder and encouraged you to come through. In my book, if someone I respect vouches for someone – personally and/or artistically – they’re good with me until they prove otherwise.
Al was right on both counts.
(more…)
