Open Mic Brings Voices Together

A warmly lit book-encased cove nestled in the cozy book store created a calm yet enthusiastic atmosphere for Belmont Books' Open Mic Poetry Night. Rows of black chairs provided comfortable seating for the supportive crowd. Black Bear Cafe gave the espresso machine an evening off, so the whirrs and hisses would not disturb the flow of sound waves pouring from the poets' podium. The room filled with the quietly boisterous applause of snapping in the poetry tradition.

Local accents in variant tones and voices expressed themes of humour, love, nature, history, and throughout it all, connectedness. Each unique poem drew equally parallel response from the audience. Tears of a man's ode to his departed wife. Nostalgia over a song written by a 1970s teen regarding local stomping grounds, music, and history changing events. Inspiration from a young woman's clear voice describing her new strength in life after child abuse. Uproarious laughter considering the relatable angst of public speaking. The poets were as individual as the poems themselves, hailing from paths on diverse walks of life: age, ability, gender, ethnicity. There were no awards or accolades, simply people sharing themselves through words. Poetry at its purist and most perfect.

Most of the readers held white papers with printed copies of their poems. Several read from their own published books. A few read from notebooks and journals, and a couple read from the screens of their smart phones. One young man stepped up to the podium and introduced himself saying, "I am a sophomore from Belmont High School, and I need to take a selfie so my teacher knows I was here." He subsequently held the phone up for the flash, and continued looking into his phone screen to read his fresh new poem about welcoming spring. The variations in reading methods, writing styles, and subject matter brought a sense of growth in a new season, for younger and older alike. A little girl with feet dangling over her black chair beamed with pride when her mother's name was called to read next.

Throughout the evening, poets shared the pain of surviving abuse and illness; the joy of discovering continuities of values in new generations of family, and the lighthearted flutter of young romance. Loss of spouses, through death and divorce, were empathized. Mutual respect, affirmation, and community was at the heart of this event.

National Poetry Month is still ongoing with upcoming local events!

Wednesday the 25th, Wellesley Books is hosting a poetry reading from Dan Chiasson and Robin MacArthur at 7PM.

Thursday the 26th, Belmont Books is celebrating a Night of Poetry with Krysten Hill, Maggie Dietz, and Sandra Lim, starting at 7PM.

Saturday the 28th from 11:30-1, Indie Woods is sponsoring an all-ages and abilities Hands On Poetry event at the Waltham Public Library.

On Monday the 30th at 7PM, Newtonville Books is hosting readings by poets Deborah Leipziger, E.J. Graff, Anna Warrock, and Peter Payack. Author of "Poetry Made Visible: Boston Sites for Poetry Lovers, Art Lovers & Lovers," will also read.

As a bonus, local author (ahem) Jessica Lucci is offering her number one best selling new release, "Freedom for Me" for only 99 cents. All proceeds go toward domestic abuse and violence awareness. Lucci's other two books of poetry, award-winning "Code Words" and "Person Numbers" are also available for 99 cents for the remainder of National Poetry Month.