Early Winter

Early Winter
Bill Brown

He is sixteen years old when his father dies in his arms. His brother returns from Vietnam, but a close friend does not. Young neighbors serve in Iraq. Villagers rebuild after a bombing. He is surprised to find his grandmother’s portrait hanging on the wall of a Cracker Barrel, next to old time memorabilia. A neighbor tells of a cave with ancient burials, but no one is able to find it.
These are but a few of the characters inhabiting Bill Brown’s book, Late Winter. Add the quiet beauty of the Tennessee hills and you understand why Brown is an acclaimed poet, why he has five books to his credit. Read this book immediately.

Ballistics

Ballistics
Billy Collins

The title poem sets the tone for this latest contribution from the former Poet Laureate of the United States. Collins speculates as to what book may have been the victim in Edgerton’s famous stop action photograph. We see the bullet piercing the cover of a book, but the title is not discernable. Typical of his often used dry humor, his list of possible volumes seems to be a suggestion of various books he would not miss, would suggest sacrificing.
Collins concludes that the book in the picture must be a work of poems, a book by a fellow poet of whom he is not fond. He imagines the bullet piercing the author’s photograph adorned with that “…special poet’s hat he loves to wear.”
Collins writes poetry that is, above all, accessible. He is perhaps unique in having achieved commercial success as a contemporary poet. If you have friends who believe they don’t like poetry, have them try reading Billy Collins. His work could be a gateway for them.

Manifest

Manifest
The Camp House 4127 Williams Street
Friday, November 12
Manifest is a monthly showcase to highlight local artists. At the first showcase, regional blues musician Mark “Pork Chop” Holder will give a one hour performance. Poets Sourne Korvid, Marcus Ellsworth, Anthony Pollard and Christian J. Collier will read.

The Speakeasy

The Speakeasy Open Mic
The Office at City Cafe
Every Wednesday
Sign in 8:00 PM
Readings begin 8:30
With the change of venues, The Speakeasy has dropped language and content restrictions. Admission at The Office is limited to those 21 years of age and older.
For full information contact: thespeakeasypoetry@gmail.com

The speakeasy is now webcast.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thechattanoogaspeakeasy/2010/10/28/the-chattanooga-speakeasy

Congratulations Marsha Mathews

Marsha Mathews’ poem, “Pastor Visits Parishioner” was selected as a finalist in the Fall 2010 Rash Awards, sponsored by the Broad River Review and Gardener-Webb University, with poet and editor Keith Flynn of the Ashville Review judging. Her poem “Blue Flowers” just came out in Child of my Child (Gelles-Cole Literary Enterprises). Marsha presented “Heartbeats: A Series of Poems” at La Lesche, a local literary group on October 11. Her first book of poems, Northbound Single-Lane was recently released by Finishing Line Press. It is available from Amazon.com and also at Winder-Binder Gallery and Books in North Chattanooga.

New Voices, November, 2010

Pasha Coffee House,
3914 St. Elmo Avenue,
6:30 to 8:30 PM
Saturday, November 20, 2010
At New Voices, hot improvisational jazz meets the power of the spoken word. Hear music by The Undoctored Originals, including Dr. Jim Woodford, Keyboards, Dr. Bob Vogt, Saxophone, Billy Lowry, Drums, Ian Kibby, Euphonium, and Jack Gaillard, Congas. This event includes readings by Chattanooga area writers. Past participants have included Ray Zimmerman, Finn Bille, Jim Pfitzer, Bruce Majors, N.L. Diwan, Mary Wier, Julie Alexander, K.B Ballentine, E. Smith Gilbert, and others. Contact: znaturalist@yahoo.com

Confirmed Readers for November 20
Ray Zimmerman
N.L. Diwan
Mike Riello

Trust

Trust

A friend of mine is adamant
Thinks it highly important
we keep the words "in God we trust"
emblazoned on our currency.

I hate to disillusion him
but God has done quite well
for several millenia
without our endorsement.

God will undoubtedly do so
long after we all have departed.