Poetry reading

I cannot believe I failed to write here after last Tuesday's poetry reading! (slapping forehead, hard) At my old school, the community college where I taught biology for 18 years, I've discovered a vibrant, spirited, and surprisingly talented bunch of poets. One Tuesday each month, they hold a poetry event in the Student Union. One or more featured poets read, but first, a dozen or so anybodies sign up to read a poem or two.

I signed up to read, on stage, with microphone and audience of, oh, maybe thirty people. Not only did I sign up, I followed through. I got up there and read, with attitude, my favorite of my poems, "Triple D's," which is all about my tits and my struggle to get over being too fat to move like I need to move. It's funny, and the audience howled and clapped. I was higher than a kite by the time I finished and relinquished the mike, and all that evening, and the next day. When an audience gives back like that, it feels like a drug -- intoxicating.