Michael Sedano
Hail and Farewell forms the heart of an evening's poetry reading with Altadena, California's co-Poets Laureate, Carla R. Sameth and Peter J. Harris (link to biographies). The audience quickly fills every seat and staff bring more chairs, and more people arrive. There's a buzz in the air, electric excitement you feel on rare occasions. Something Significant occurring here.
The news had reached many attendees: Peter Harris is really sick. Peter Harris is hospitalized. Peter Harris might not attend his own reading. Tonight, Peter J. Harris sits at the front of the room. He's using a 4-wheel walker and a cane, looks frail. The Poet takes the lectern. He shares his news: Peter Harris is moving to Florida.
Familia and friends have thronged to be with the poet this important, landmark evening.
When? Soon. The poet's daughter has postponed her career and dropped everything to be Dad's caregiver. He'll be staying with his Son across the continent.
To all appearances, tonight is Peter J. Harris' final West Coast Appearance. If so, Hail and Farewell, Griot. Poet. Masterful Reader. One of the good guys.
It didn't start out like this, an ave atque vale to one of the Southland's premier poetic presences. The year starts with Carla Sameth and Harris planning the year's events, focusing on a workshop series and publishing the Altadena Poetry Review. Harris becomes seriously ill and those best-laid plans have been tossed into suspension.
Harris continues as the Editor-in-Chief of the anthology. Taking on this critical role will push anyone to one's limits. Harris will conduct his work from his new Florida dwelling. Sameth takes the lead with the upcoming youth-elder collaborative workshop, Ode to the Land, and a series of readings. Publisher Golden Foothills Press has laid out a timeline to ensure that book hits the streets on schedule.
Kicking off the evening are presentations by Library District Director Nikki Winslow and Laureate Program Founder Pauli Dutton. Dutton is particularly energetic in her celebration of the program she founded when she was Head Librarian in Altadena.
Altadena's Laureate program still applies the standards Dutton defined in the beginning, except now there are two Laureates to apportion the work of the years' readings and publishing the anthology. View the Laureates' online resource, The Altadena Poetry Review (link), and the Synergy Portfolio.
Altadena has launched its process for appointing the succeeding Laureates. Read details on the Laureateship, as well as a recording of the Laureates' reading, at Altadena Library website (link).
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| Pauli Dutton founded the Altadena Poet Laureate program. |
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| A Laureate takes a quiet moment for himself surrounded by energy he caused among his gente. |
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| Readiness reflects on the co-Lareates' posture. Harris masks until he takes the Mic. |
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| Carla Rachel Sameth's work ranges from serious to sardonic hilarity. Harris reacts to one of Carla's funny ones. |
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| Peter J. Harris gets a kick out of introducing the Guest Readers. Each has chosen to read a Harris title. |
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| Luivette Resto (link) |
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| Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo (link) |
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| Laureateships make friendships. |
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| Adenike A. Harris, left, joins her Dad at the reading. |
1 comment:
You capture the spirit of this momentous poetry event: its joyful celebration of these two Laureates' superlative tenure and their engaging work that still lies ahead; the love our community feels for them, and especially for Peter, whose work with the Black Man of Happiness Project has brought positive results for so many. You especially captured the poignancy of Peter's health,the people's concern for him, and his upcoming move away from us.Thank you, Michael.
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