David J Bauman

My son, the Monkey Prodigy has made a dig at his father regarding the lack of recent action at Dad Poet. Subtle, cheeky monkey he is. But he’s right, aside from the recent upload from the Priestly Chapel reading last month, I haven’t done much online recently except deleting my Facebook account. I did start a new one, and I’d like to keep this one from getting out of hand. What a mess that place is! It used to be a lovely coffee shop where I could meet with friends, but now it’s become Grand Central Station, and I cannot hear what my friends are saying over the din and clamor! Why, pray tell, would I want to hear what you said on your Auntie Mabel’s status if Auntie Mabel is not even someone I know? And finding out that some former school mate or coworker supports Mitt Romney and deplores gun control? Well, I am afraid I’m just not geared for that level of involvement.

I’ve been both busy and lazy, each, in turn, these last few weeks, fixing up my balcony, catching up on reading. We’ve been moving the lovely BPK into the home, as well as attending poetry readings for me, and music events for him. He played at the Venture Lounge in Wilkes-Barre this Saturday night, and I read at Poetry Under the Paintings in Lewisburg on Thursday. We didn’t record this month, as our sound equipment did not arrive. Instead, we circled the wagons, well the chairs, and read in the round, almost support group style. It was very relaxed and enjoyable, and we were treated to a couple of new readers. Funny in this modern age how many of us did not print out but instead read from our smartphones. I got to meet fellow-blogger and life coach, Michele Kittel who shared some of her recent poems written as part of a person thirty-day challenge. What a delight!

I was happy to make the announcement that I will be reading with Professor Marjorie Maddox at Sunbury’s River Festival on Saturday the 18th. Marjorie has been traveling, but I’ll get to meet her soon. Meanwhile, we’ve been trying to promote the event, but I confess that I tend to drop the ball easily and get scatter-brained about such things. Please do look her up on that above link at the Poetry Foundation. I am honored to be reading alongside her.

Speaking of honor. I am honored to be working on several reading projects right now, including readings of poems by Suzie Grogan, and Jeremy Nathan Marks.  Thanks to each of them for asking and allowing me to read their works. And while I go work on some of those videos now, I’d like to leave you with the absolute rock star of online poetry readings, Mr. Tom O’bedlam. This gentleman has been kind enough to take the time to offer me some pointers and answer some of my questions about recording and poetry reading in general. I highly recommend his YouTube channel, “Spokenverse.”