Hayv Kahraman (Iraqi, b. 1981), The Collective Cut, 2008.

The Young Mesopotamians, an arts cooperative, invite you to attend a poetry salon at Bird & Beckett this Sunday afternoon in Glen Park to read your own work in return for the feedback from your fellow brave poets.

The aim of today’s gathering is to encourage readings of works which may not have been read in public before, especially readings by those who might not have read in public before. Artists are encouraged to read, songwriters to try their lyrics out on us… the language you might choose is not restricted to English. The rhythm of the vernacular is global.

Says Maysa Ib, who has brought the Young Mesopotanians together for the occasion, “We are all works in progress and do not worry about perfection — this is a salon of poetic support and I hope it will be a lot of fun as well as a learning experience for us all. I am very excited to hear your words!”

So, please come out to read your work to a convivial and supportive crew, sip cardamon tea and enjoy bites of baqlawa on the break, and  hear classic works that have inspired the poets on hand. Beau Beausoleil, Tamsin Smith and Deema Shehabi, well experienced poets all, join Maysa to read unpublished works, welcome friends old and new, and to hear from unpublished poets just venturing out!

Maysa has organized such salons in London and Berlin, and notes that “New poets love it, and the quality has been amazing.”

All who want to share their work are welcome. Also those who just want to take part by listening!

The theme for this session, giving the impending Thanksgiving bonanza, is Gratitude. Modúpue.

PREPARATION: WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

I. A POEM YOU WROTE! Bring a couple of your own unpublished works to choose from to read.
The focus of this salon is on poetry but your poetic words can take the form of lyrics or prose so as long as the work is no longer than 4 minutes (the length of most of our attention spans these days!).

II. FEEDBACK:
Participants read a work in progress or an unpublished work we have written to an audience of sympathetic strangers. You as the audience will be asked to contribute feedback.
– Feedback format suggestion:
1. What did you like about the work? If read by the author, what did you appreciate about the way the work was read/presented?
2. Do you have any critiques of the work or delivery? How do you think the work or performance might be improved?

There is no obligation to provide feedback but it would be helpful to the poets if you gave it a go, and we only ask that if you have critiques for improvement, please make sure your comments include positive aspects of the work/ performance too. We’re hoping that the three legendary poets we have in the audience take the lead.

There is a suggested contribution of $6 in advance, or $9 on the door. All are welcome, regardless of your ability to contribute.

After we’re done reading, a fantastic musician, the San Leando-born, second generation Portuguese Fado singer Ramana Vieira, takes to the stage at 4:30 pm, so please stick around, kick back and chill to her sounds with a cup of Iraqi cardamon tea and treats.