The Furious Spinner

Mario had a poetry reading at the library today. It was Mario's debut with his new poetry books, Animal Life and Fantasy Life.

About twenty people besides ourselves gathered in the gallery of the library on a dark rainy Sunday afternoon. Poet Dave Johnson and I were Mario's opening act. Dave began the reading with some great poems evoking the awe and angst of his childhood in Oregon and then later his struggles with illness as he got older. It was interesting that when his poems were about his medical situation, he spoke of the person in the poem in third person—as if it were someone else.

I read my essay "Coyote Whispers" which was published on the Journal of Mythic Arts site. Then it was time for the star: Mario. Everyone cheered and clapped as he began his set. His poems are so simple and complex, imaginative and ordinary. He is basically a shy man who does not relish attention, normally, but he had a good time. He was an outstanding performer, letting his words speak for themselves—as it were. The audience loved it. I was glad to see him get his due. He's so talented. One of the biggest hits was his poem "When I Was," which also happens to be published in the Journal of Mythic Arts. It reads outloud really well—you should try it. 0 comments

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