Billy Collins Reads at Rollins College

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Billy Collins was appointed as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to
2003 was New York State Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. In 2016 he retired from his position as a Distinguished
Professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York after
teaching there almost 50 years.

He read a selection of his poems at Rollins College, Tiedeke Concert Hall. His poems about everyday occurrences are witty and direct yet they often unveil something sublime and profound. Humor and insight mix in fun and unexpected ways.

I have had the pleasure of having dinner with Billy and Suzannah Gilman on several occasions. They both inspire me to want to continue to create every day. That is a rare gift from a friend or acquaintance. Billy has published 10 collections of poetry and they have garnered an amazing following. His work speaks for itself, go pick up one of his books and enjoy. His latest publications include Ballistics, Horoscopes for the Dead, Aimless Love, and The Rain in Portugal. I had Billy sign my sketch since they both will be worth something someday.

Billy’s next reading will be, What Poets Talk About When They Talk About Love, in the Tiedeke Concert Hall on February 17, 2019 at 2pm. Tickets are $25.

Maxine’s on Shine

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I went to Maxine’s on Shine (337 Shine Avenue Orlando FL) of February 8th, to listen to Roger Docking on Guitar. Maxine’s is a local gem and is booked solid on weekends so reservations are strongly suggested. Since I was on my own, I found a spot 2t the bar. Maxine was at a fundraiser for the Ballet, but her husband greeted everyone warmly. I ordered an Orange Blossom beer and started sketching. For dinner I ordered the lasagna which was quite delectable.

Roger Docking recognized me. I had sketched him in the past because he was once a member of Andy Matchett and the Minx. That band performed together one last time several months ago at the cardboard art festival.  Andy explained to me that Minx was the last name of his former wife so the bands name was a bit archaic. They also used to use tons of confetti and toilet paper in their performances. Clean up after a show would be a nightmare. At a preview of my retrospective, Suzannah Gilman was talking about her recent experience watching Sting and Paul Simon in concert at the Amway Center. She had seats in the second row only a few feet from the stage. “Sting had to be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.” She said. She pointed out how well defined his arm muscles were and his pants showed off the muscles in his legs. She then demonstrated a subtle hip gyration Sting used in the performance. It wasn’t a thrust, but more of a gentle grind. Andy practiced the move himself and I suspect it will find it’s way into his next performance.

Another performer Joe Lamy, and his daughter came in half way into the first set. He sang harmony, following Roger’s lead. I find that there is often a theme to my sketches. I pay attention to artists who are often unrecognized and perform as background ambiance. I think I identify with the artists who create beauty even if no one is listening.

My lasagna and drinks came to $28.71 and it was well worth it. The bill was enclosed in a book with a picture of the Mona Lisa on the cover. The title of the book was, “Stress, The Good and the Bad, Guilt Free Tension Control.” Sketching is my tension control but also a constant source of stress. I should have read a chapter. Perhaps it was a sign.

Book Party and Launch: I Will Meet You at the River

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On October 12th, Suzannah Gilman had a book launch party for her first book of poetry titled, “I will Meet You at the River” at Quantum Leap Winery (1312 Wilfred Dr, Orlando, FL.) Suzannah  was born in California and grew up in Florida. She
attended Rollins College while raising four children, graduating with
honors. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida
Levin College of Law and is a licensed attorney. She has published
poetry, essays, fiction, and nonfiction, and has been nominated for a
Pushcart Prize for poetry. ” I Will Meet You at the River” is her first
book. She and Billy Collins, who served as U.S. poet laureate from 2001 to 2003, have been together for years.

I arrived a bit early and began sketching the winery. A huge room out back had large barrels of wine stacked to the ceiling. Suzannah and Billy arrived with cheese platters that they set up on the bar. I had met the couple once at a folk music parking lot pickin’ session behind the Twisty Treat in Ochoe Florida. Suzannah seemed a bit nervous and warm but soon the room was full of friends and supporters. I didn’t attempt to sketch the whole crowd. I got to meet her sons, one of whom is an artist himself.

I particularly liked one poem titled, “How Dinner Got Cold”, that  was about a couple preparing dinner together. There was the intimacy of the enclosed space as they brushed shoulders and he instinctively closed a cabinet for her. It reminded me of a scene in Annie Hall where Woody Allen and Diane Keaton prepared a live lobster. By the time the meal was ready the couple had already satiated something much more than hunger.

Another poem, “On Living With a Famous Poet,” made Billy a bit nervous. “Jocelyn Bartkevicius was there, and she’s the editor of The Florida Review, where it was published, so I HAD to read it!” explained Suzannah. The poem described a young woman who idolized the famous poet and desperately wanted the shared intimacy of having her words read. Later that month I saw Billy on “The Colbert Report” where he joked with the host and they read a poem together. You don’t always get that much culture on prime time TV. Suzannah said,  “I did enjoy that party, oh yes I did.  It was the people, as I said, who just blew me
away by showing up and supporting me.  As good a feeling as finding out I
was going to have a chapbook published.”

 “Passionate, wise, and funny, this lovely debut collection reminds us that the familiar world at any moment can ambush us with ecstasy.”

– George Bilgere, author of THE WHITE MUSEUM