The Mad Poets Blog

(Cross posted from my own journal here)

I’ve been working on a series of poems for awhile now that are loosely based around Bible stories. Instead of standard retellings, though, I’ve been trying to give these versions a little twist - maybe from the perspective of a character who seems peripheral in the original story (such as in “Lot’s Daughters“); with a new slant to someone’s motives (like “Cain’s Confession“); or perhaps entirely re-imagining the context of a story (as with the Jesus poems I’ve been working on). I have a vague idea that maybe I can collect these into a manuscript, should they be strong enough.

So in the process of writing this series, I have been researching stories that I’d like to twist - I haven’t read the Bible with such vigor in years, if ever. I’ve already covered Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Lot, and a few others. I’ve been thinking about Delilah and Jezebel, and how those women tend to be very polarizing figures, much-referenced. Delilah, of course, is the woman who cut off Samson’s hair (though it wasn’t actually her; it was a servant of hers), and Jezebel was a princess who encouraged idolatry (she wasn’t a whore, contrary to the popular modern-day connotation).

I came across two poems that have sort of put me off from writing about Delilah and Jezebel, though - the first is one I haven’t actually read yet, though I’m looking forward to. It’s Carol Ann Duffy’s “Delilah,” from her collection The World’s Wife. In it, apparently, a pacifism-loving Delilah cuts Samson’s hair to make him non-violent. The second poem is Heather Overby’s “The Defenestration of Juliette Lewis,” which is clearly referencing Jezebel’s death (she was thrown from a window and left in the street for the dogs to eat). The Overby poem is great - I think she has a wonderful sense of fusion, combining pop culture with tradition and high art. And I’m sure the Duffy poem is equally lovely, if her other poems are any comparison (”Warming Her Pearls” and “Valentine” as examples).

But now knowing that this territory has been mined (and how frequently - a quick look at Wiki’s references listing for Delilah shows a mass of entries), I wonder if I have anything new or exciting to say on the subjects of Delilah and Jezebel. I’ve already encountered this problem with Mary - how many versions of Mary can you come up with? The three best (she was lying, she was crazy or she was right) have been covered more times than anyone can count, so what else is there to say?

I suppose I’ll keep looking for ways to tell the stories that aren’t out there yet. And in the meantime, I’ll keep working on other stories that haven’t been done so well or so publicly.

From Eileen D’Angelo

A LOTTA NEWS ABOUT UPCOMING MAD EVENTS, BEGINNING WITH:

        THIS THURSDAY, February 21 - 7:00 pm - Mad Poets Presents FOUR FEMININE VOICES:  Kelly Fineman, Minna Duchovnay, Prabhu Prabhu, and Kathryn Morgeneier at the Delaware County Institute of Science, 11 Veterans Square, Media, PA 19083); Hosted by Eileen D’Angelo.  What a way to kick off the new year at the Institute- four talented women poets!   Open mike follows. Let us hear your poems !   Light refreshments served. (Next month, at this venue: March 20th, 7 pm: Don’t miss RACHEL BUNTING + SUSAN DEBORAH KING!  More later.)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28th at 7:00 p.m. -

MAD POETS OPEN STAGE AT TAYLOR’S AT THE OLDE MILL (200 W. Marshall St., Norristown, PA 19401; 610-272-2011)   -   Featuring YOU and a ton of other talented poets and musicians!  Hosted by Joseph Dorazio.  Each month, Mad Poets will present a special musical guest, to kick off the open mike.  This restaurant is a four story historic grist mill (circa 1880) This exciting new series will be held on 4th Thursdays through 2008, and offers an entertaining open forum for musicians poets, singer-songwriters– and anyone who enjoys listening to poetry and music is welcome.  Come early and have dinner (or you can also come, on time, at 7 pm, and order dinner during the event.)  The owners offered to make this event a mini-Mad Poets FUNDRAISER, by donating 10% of all dinners ordered that evening to Mad Poets.) See: http://www.taylorsoldemill.com/, you’ll find us on the events page, you can check out the menu, and you’ll get to see this stunning building. Note:  all future events at this venue will be on the 4th floor, and it is NOT handicapped accessible.  This first event will take place on the first floor.  And there is VALET PARKING– no need to drive around trying to find a spot.  

TUESDAY, MARCH 4TH AT 7 PM  - JOIN US FOR A

STEEL CITY COFFEEHOUSE MAD POET *OPEN MIKE* NIGHT*!   This series has moved from Sundays and are held FIRST TUESDAY NIGHTS at 7 pm, hosted by Eileen D’Angelo.  Located at 203 Bridge St. in Phoenixville, PA  19460; Store # 610-933-4043.  The first  one in February was a BALL, three musicians and a ton of poets- a screaming good time-  GREAT words and cool music, and a fun get together.  We were there ’til almost 10 pm on Feb. 5th, but these events will normally run from 7 - 9 pm. You might want to come early & sign up, or email me in advance, at madpoets@comcast.net  (or at work to reserve your spot:  eileendangelo@comcast.net, if you are emailing me on the day of the reading, March 4th), so I can put you on the list- it was a long list last time, and some people couldn’t stay ’til the end - so there was some shifting to accommodate the masses!)

Wednesday, March 5th at 7 pm. 

HARVEST BOOK CRITIQUE CIRCLES !  Don’t miss the next MaD CiRcLe on  March 5th at 7 pm.  Moderated by Amy Laub.  Bring 10 copies of a poem in progress for roundtable feedback, suggestions, discussion and critique.   The “usual suspects” who attend this critique circle / workshop are amazingly talented, serious, hardworking poets (say that 10 times real fast!)  Like Missy Grotz says:  these are the kind of people who believe:  YOU WRITE OR YOU DIE !!  All joking aside, I had the opportunity to pop in there last month and it is a great workshop!  Where else can you go to listen to people debate commas and line breaks ?!  It’s more fun than you can stand on a Wednesday night.  Harvest Book is directly across from Trader Joe’s on State St. in Media  (9 E. State St., 19063)

SATURDAY, MARCH 8th at 7 pm

OTHERWISE - POETRY AT CHURCHILL - Mad Poets continue in 2008 at this venue, hosted by Glenn McLaughlin, at Churchill ArtisanBaker & Chocolatier, 137 E. high St., Pottstown, PA 19464; 484-941-5100 - Come out SATURDAY, MARCH 8th at 7 pm,  to hear poetry by FRANK WOLFE, JOSEPH DORAZIO and DOUG ARNOLD! An open mike follows.  Bring your poems ! 

Tuesday, March 11th, at 7 pm

GRYPHON CAFE- Mad Poets also continue at this venue, with Richard Moyer at the helm, and the kickoff reading is Tuesday, March 11th, at 7 pm.  Richard hosts these cozy readings upstairs at the Gryphon Cafe, located at 105 W. Lancaster Ave., (2nd Fl) in Wayne, PA 19087); Cafe # is 610-688-1988. If you’ve never been there, it’s right on Rt. 30, next to the Anthony Wayne Theatre in the heart of Wayne.  The upstairs at the Gryphon is set up like a living room, and Richard offers a series of intimate gatherings of poets in an informal, comfortable atmosphere, poets who share original work, as well as their favorite poets’ and poems, as well.  A perfect setting for those who are just beginning to share their work, as well as those who are long time mad poets!

THURS., MARCH 6th - 7 pm

A-MUSE POETRY SERIES continues in Bucks County through 2008 at the Doylestown Library, 150 S. Pine St., in Doyletown (18901; 215-348-9081), coordinated and hosted by Bill Wunder and Joanne Leva.  Plan to be there on Thursday, March 6th, 7 pm, for a group reading and discussion of two poems:  one by Stanley Kunitz, and one by Galway Kinnell.   

THURS., MARCH 13 - MILK BOY ACOUSTIC CAFE located at 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 19010 (in the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, which is in the old Bryn Mawr Theatre on Rt. 30);   This series is now held on 2nd THURSDAYS at 7 pm through 2008, hosted by Autumn Konopka.  Join us at Milk Boy on MARCH 13th - for LEONARD GONTAREK + ROBERT BENSE, plus an open mike will follow.  (This is another venue that packs ‘em in, best to get there early to sign up for the open mike.)

SATURDAY, MARCH 29th at 2:00 pm-

Fox Chase Reading Series at The THREE SISTERS CAFE  hosted by G. Emil Reutter, will present poets LOUIS McKEE and EILEEN D’ANGELO at Three Sisters Cafe, 7950 Oxford ave., (Corner of Loney & Barnes) in Philly, 19111. Phone: 215-725-6848.  An open mike follows. 

    (Yeah- I know it’s borderline tacky for me to read in my own mad poets’ line-up, but how could I refuse the chance to read with renowned Philadelphia Poet Louis McKee–  and who can say “no” to George Reutter ?!?)

ALSO !!  LOTS OF POETRY MONTH / APRIL EVENTS AND NEWS TO COME …

    **INCLUDING  THE YOUNG POETS AWARDS EVENT, Sunday, April 13, 2008, 1:00 PM, at the REDWOOD COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE, 6th St. in Upland.  36 Student winners of the Young Poets Competition, sponsored by Mad Poets and the Delco Library System, will read their winning poems.  This is one of most inspiring events we run each year ! Don’t miss these talented students. If you need directions, I got ‘em.  Special thanks to our dedicated 2008 Judges, listed in order of the grade level they judged, 1st through 12th grade:  Janet Burgents *  Emiliano Martin * Richard Bank * Linda Fischer * Autumn Konopka * Courtney Bambrick * Joseph Dorazio * Diane Sahms-Guarnieri * Ed Krizek * Arlene Bernstein * Margaret A. Robinson * Ray Greenblatt.

ANOTHER UPCOMING APRIL EVENT !!

FRIDAY, APRIL 11th at 7 pm - LEONARD GONTAREK coordinated and is hosting THE LAST WORD BOOKSHOP SERIES again this coming year, and the first reading of 2008 will feature a line-up of the talented poets in his workshop.  Don’t miss:  “Dressing the Muse”, featuring * Autumn McClintock * Leslie Valdez * Lisa Grunberger * Joyce Meyers * Anisa Rahim * Janet Spangler * Alison Hicks ( Rafi Lev * Catherine Bancroft * Steven Kleinman * Hanock Guy * Minna Duchovnay * Sekai Afua Zankel * Christy Schneider.  

AND YET ANOTHER UPCOMING APRIL EVENT !!

ON  APRIL 16TH, 7 PM  - A KICKOFF READING FOR A NEW MAD POETS SERIES AT  THE THOMAS F. DONATUCCI, SR. BRANCH LIBRARY, (formerly the Passyunk Library), 1935 Shunk St., South Phila., 19145. Library # is 215-685-1755; hosted by Diane Sahms-Guarnieri, featuring JC TODD AND DANIEL ABDAL-HAYY MOORE on APRIL 16TH, 7 PM !!  Plus an open mike ! Mark your calendars now !!

MORE MAD POETS BALL NEWS!  THE PARTY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, 7 - 11 PM.  There’s still time to let us know that you want to come out and play with us and celebrate TWENTY YEARS OF BEING MAD !  The event will now be held at CAROLINE’S RESTAURANT, (not Heritage Ballrooms) at 925 Providence Road in Secane, (Del. Co), PA 19018.   $35.00 per person.  (It’s a small price to pay to hang out with your buddies and party for the night - and toast Mad Poets’ two decades of keeping poetry alive !   

    It’s a BUFFET DINNER - Including:  Hand carved Roast Beef, Chicken Scallopine, Tortellino Alfredo, Vegetable Stir Fry, Red Bliss Potatoes, Tossed House Salad, Fruit Salad, Ice Cream and cake.  Hot rolls, beverages, coffee and hot tea are included. (There is a cash bar).   We’re working on booking a D.J. to spin some tunes for us that night!   Directions and info about the restaurant are on the website at http://www.carolinesrestaurant.com    

    ZING ME A NOTE IF YOU WANT TO COME !  I’VE BOOKED THE ROOM,  AND THERE’S STILL SPACE FOR MORE - SO FAR-  40 OF YOU HAVE TOLD ME YOU WILL BE THERE!  And it’s going to be a blast.  (Send checks payable to Mad Poets Society, to P.O. Box 1248, Media, PA 19063-8248.

IF YOU HAVE NEWS YOU WANT INCLUDED IN  THE UPCOMING MAD POETS NEWSLETTER (YES! I am working on getting one out- now that we’ve got so many events lined up for 2008 !) ZING IT TO ME NOW, with “NEWSLETTER NEWS!” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.  Book releases, upcoming readings, etc.  Please include all info (if it’s a book release: how much? Mailing address? How is check payable?;  If it’s a poetry reading, please include the venue address). ALSO !! If you run a reading series or are coordinating special events - and you want to spread the word — Get me that info now, too.  If you don’t have your line-up for the entire year, just give me what you have, name of event or series, the dates/days of week, and location.  Lots of stuff going on out there - and I want to include all of it.)

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN MAD POETS SOCIETY — NOW IS THE TIME to pay your dues to society !!  Kindly send $20 payable to Mad Poets Society, P.O. Box 1248, Media, PA 19063-8248; Stay tuned to the website for our ARTS ANGELS donation information … but for now, if you are interested in being a bonafide MAD POETS, zing us your dues !!      Help keep our many events, readings, programs,workshops, bonfires, critique circles —  and the literary magazine up and running!    IN RESPONSE TO THE MANY INQUIRIES:  YES !!  Mad Poets Society is running the annual Poetry Competition.  Deadline is June 20, 2008.     The website is in the process of being updated (God Bless Autumn Konopka), and with all these changes and events - we’re working our poor web queen to the bone ! Stay tuned for changes.      OTHER NOTABLE DATES: 

Once again, we’re back with Shameless Self Promotion. Whatcha got goin’ on this week?

SINGER SONGWRITERS NICK FILONE + TOM MULLIAN  WILL KICK OFF THE FIRST MAD POETS STEEL CITY OPEN MIC NIGHT ON FEB. 5TH AT 7  PM!  Hosted by Eileen D’Angelo!  BRING YOUR POEMS AND  SIGN UP FOR THE OPEN MIKE!
Join us for dinner .. we’ll be out there early.. 

Below is the “forward” from Steel City’s announcement about this - and other events; address at the bottom:

Tuesdays- All New in Feb.
1st Tuesday:  Mad Poets Society Poetry Reading & Open Mic:  The Mad Poets Society is moving their reading to Tuesdays Nights at 7:00 PM, hosted by Eileen D’Angelo.  The Mad Poets Society welcomes all poets and musicians to share in this exciting night. 
FREE EVENT

All other Tuesdays in Feb.- Tuesday Night Open Music Jam
Calling all musicians . . . stop in and jam with your fellow musicians in our cozy coffeehouse.
FREE EVENT