What a delight! There's nothing like a five star reading at Open Books, the all poetry bookstore in Seattle. Kelli Russell Agodon gave a stellar reading of superb poems this afternoon. She was generous with her audience providing the back story to many of her poems. One example: "Coming Up Next: The Attack of the Killer Blue Irises" was inspired by an NPR story "Coming Up Next: The Attack of Killer Flu Viruses." Kelli's poems mix humor and pathos -- she has her listener laughing out loud one moment and contemplating death the next. Her poems mirror some of the strange experiences of 21st century life and we recognize ourselves in this drama of living.
There were prizes and Dove chocolates (instead of real doves); there were keys for each audience member to discover her (or his) own Emily Dickinson room. Thank you, Kelli for a memorable afternoon. This was a reading of great poetry, but this was also a literary community coming together to support one of our own. If you have not heard Kelli read, check out her blog for upcoming events!
Kelli and Rosanne Olson chat before the reading begins.
Notice Emily perched above the books over Kelli's left shoulder. Ms. Dickinson was overseeing the proceedings of the afternoon. I believe she was very pleased.
Jennifer, Anne, and Annette listening and watching Kelli; Geo intently listening.
There were prizes and Dove chocolates (instead of real doves); there were keys for each audience member to discover her (or his) own Emily Dickinson room. Thank you, Kelli for a memorable afternoon. This was a reading of great poetry, but this was also a literary community coming together to support one of our own. If you have not heard Kelli read, check out her blog for upcoming events!
Kelli and Rosanne Olson chat before the reading begins.
Notice Emily perched above the books over Kelli's left shoulder. Ms. Dickinson was overseeing the proceedings of the afternoon. I believe she was very pleased.
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| I recognize that smile! It means I'm so glad I've given my reading and now get to go have dinner with my family and friends. But before it's over there is always ... |
Book signing!
And a glass of red wine at the amazing Kabul! The perfect end to the perfect afternoon.
Oh thank you, Susan for documenting the evening. It was so wonderful to have you there!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a lovely event!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the opportunity to hear you and Kelli read. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteYay for Kelli! It was an excellent reading in every way, from hearing how to book was book together, to hearing Kelli read her magnificent poems, to leaving Open Books with a couple of delicious Dove chocolates (I agree, much better than releasing a bunch of birds into Seattle's best bookstore).
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting these wonderful photos, Susan!
Sounds and looks like a very memorable evening. Hopefully, she will take her book to some out-of-state readings, too.
ReplyDelete