HEART POUR ... and more

January Poetry Reading - Woman Who Inspire

2012-02-12T16:02:00.001-08:00

Ancient City Poets will gather this month on February 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. At Gifts for Living located at 215 West King Street in St. Augustine. Enjoy snacks courtesy of The Gallery Cafe. The readings are free and open to all. The theme for this month will be “Woman Who Inspire”, in recognition of Woman's History Month held in March. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. Poems do not have to relate to the theme. For more information find the group's page on Facebook.com or the store at (904) 824.951

Facebook Event Link:

http://www.facebook.com/events/188149361287254/

January Poetry Reading - End of the World New Year

2012-01-01T17:52:00.001-08:00

Ancient City Poets will gather this month on January 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Gifts for Living located at 215 West King Street in St. Augustine, across the street from the Present Moment Café. Our readings are free and open to all. The theme for the poetry reading will be “End of the World New Year”. This is a reference to that fact that the Mayan calendar will end this year. The doomsday fears came about after the discovery of a stone tablet at a Mexican archeological site in the 1960s. The tablet divides centuries into 394-year periods, and the 13^th period ends on December 21, 2012.

When poet Nina Córdova Ami found out about the theme she wanted to remind everyone that there was another archeological finding recently. “The scientists were able to decipher it, and, no, it is not the end of the world.” says Nina. “It will be a human consciousness development that will begin on December 21, 2012. The same was true for 11/11/11. Whew! That's a relief!” A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. Poems do not have to relate to the theme.

Facebook Event link:

http://www.facebook.com/events/292981127405333/

NOV 27 Reading - Cold Turkey

2011-11-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

The Ancient City Poets will hold a poetry reading on Sunday November 27 from 3 to 5pm at Gifts For Living, located at 215 West King Street, St. Augustine. Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. The theme is "Cold Turkey, Gratitude, and Humble Pie”. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. The readings are free and all are welcome to attend.

For more info go to find Ancient City Poets on Facebook

October 30th Reading - The Masks We Wear

2011-10-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

On Sunday October 30 from 3 to 5pm the Ancient City Poets will gather at Gifts for Living located at 215 West King Street in St. Augustine. The theme for the poetry reading will be: the masks we wear. In keeping with the Halloween season, costumes are welcome. A sign up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for anyone who would like to share their original poems or something from a favorite poet. The event is free and open to all.

Here is the Facebook event link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147539452009288

September 25 Reading - Lessons Learned

2011-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

In recognition of this weekend's Florida Heritage Book Festival, the Ancient City Poets will hold a poetry reading from 3 to 5pm, at Gifts For Living, located at 215 West King Street, St. Augustine. The group gathers on the last Sunday of each month. Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. The theme is "school, rules, and lessons learned”. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. The readings are free and all are welcome to attend. For more info find Ancient City Poets on Facebook or call Gifts For Living at 904-824-9513.

Poetry Reunion - Sun Aug 28 3 to 5 pm

2011-08-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

ANCIENT CITY POETS

have been gathering

on the last Sunday of the month

Since August 2009

Happy Two Year Anniversary

The Ancient City Poets of St. Augustine Florida will host will host a poetry reading on Sunday August 28 from 3 to 5pm, at Gifts For Living, located at 215 West King Street, St. Augustine. New readers as well as all who have stepped up to the microphone in the past are invited to celebrate this special second anniversary gathering. Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. The theme is "vacations, reunions and road trips”. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. For more info go to visit Ancient City Poets on Facebook or call Gifts For Living at 904-824-9513.

Facebook event listing link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2057765628Publish Post09241

Spoken Word - Next Sunday July 31

2011-07-23T18:56:00.001-07:00

The Ancient City Poets will host will host a poetry reading on Sunday July 31st from 3 to 5pm, at Gifts For Living, located at 215 West King Street, St. Augustine. The group holds at poetry reading on the last Sunday of the month at this location. Past participants have include such talented and well known poets as Terence Conway, Kimmy Van Kooten, Glenda Bailey-Mershon, Rick Ryan, Michael Henry Lee, and Judith Westley. Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. The theme of the gathering will be the "sights and sounds of summer”. Five minutes / Five poems. Bring a few extra if you want in case we have time for more. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. Look up Ancient City Poets on Facebook or call Gifts For Living at 904-824-9513.

Event Link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235758136444528

Open Mic Poetry - June 26 3 to 5 pm

2011-06-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 26

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Gifts for Living

215 West King Street

Saint Augustine, FL

Please join the Ancient City Poets on the last Sunday of the month, June 26, from 3 to 5 pm, at Gifts for Living located at 215 West King Street (across from Present Moments Cafe). Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. The theme of the gathering will be "Love American Style” to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for all those who would like to share original poems or something from a favorite poet.

Facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109940819097844

Poetry Open Mic - May 29 3 to 5 pm

2011-05-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

Spoken Word Open Mic Poetry

Gifts for Living

215 West King Street,

Saint Augustine, Florida

Phone: 904.501.0043
Event Pricing: free

Ancient City Poets will gather from 3 to 5 p.m. on the last Sunday of the Month, May 29, at Gifts for Living, 215 West King Street, across the street from Present Moments Café. A sign up sheet will be available 15 minutes before start time for anyone who would like to share their original poems or something from a favorite poet. This month’s theme will be “military respect and war” in observation of Memorial Day weekend. To sign up online friend ancient city poets on Facebook or call 904-501-0043.

ANCIENT CITY POETS facebook page

HEART POUR ... and more: Poetry Reading Today 3 to 5 pm

2011-05-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

HEART POUR ... and more: Poetry Reading Today 3 to 5 pm: "National Poetry Month Reading Sunday, May 01, 2011 3 pm to 5 pm Gift for Living 215 West King Street Saint Augustine, Flo..."

Poetry Reading Today 3 to 5 pm

2011-05-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

National Poetry Month Reading

Sunday, May 01, 2011

3 pm to 5 pm

Gift for Living
215 West King Street

Saint Augustine, Florida

A reading featuring poems displayed at the store during the month of April (National Poetry Month). All interested writers are encouraged to bring an original poem printed and mounted for display to Gifts for Living, located 215 West King Street, during the store’s business hours during the month of April. A sign up sheet will be available 15 minutes before the event for anyone who would like to read their displayed written words. Please limit the display size to 8 ½ by 11 inches.

National Poetry Month - St. Johns County

2011-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ancient City Poets Celebrate National Poetry Month

ST. AUGUSTINE – Ancient City Poets, a group of local artists who have been gathering monthly in town since August of 2009, announce their efforts to salute their craft. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of business and non-profit organizations participate through reading, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

“This is a great opportunity to display and play with the written word” says Chris Bodor, a member of Ancient City Poets. This year the group is inviting all interested writers to bring an original poem printed and mounted for display to Gifts for Living, located 215 West King Street, during the store’s business hours. Please limit the display size to 8 ½ by 11 inches. Located across the street from Present Moments Café, the store is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday noon to 3 PM. For more information contact the owner Deb Crossley at (904) 824-9513. The poems will be displayed during April concluding with a First Friday send off on May 06, from 5 to 8 pm.

Area poets are also invited to attend a special reading on Sunday May 1^st from 3 to 5 pm at Gifts for Living. Authors are encouraged to attend and read their displayed poem. Members of Ancient City Poets will be in attendance to report on their Poet in your Pocket Day observations. Thursday, April 14 is a day set aside to carry a poem in your pocket to share with your friends, family, classmates, and colleagues. Write your own poem or borrow one from your favorite poet, just make sure to join in on the celebration.

Last Sunday Spoken Word - Sun March 27 1 to 3 pm

2011-03-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

Please join host Chris Bodor and Ancient City Poets for their Last Sunday of the month poetry reading at a special time from 1 to 3 pm, so as not to conflict with the Festival of Muses poetry event on the same day. The event will be held at Gifts for Living 215 West King Street (across from Present Moments Cafe). Coffee, snacks and books by local poets will be available. Guests are encouraged to share original poems or something from a favorite poet. The theme of the gathering will be "The Rites and Wrongs of Spring".

Purchase a copy

2011-02-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

Heart Pour - The Love Book

Release Date: February 14, 2011

Perfect Bound/ 64 pages

Poet Plant Press (2011)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Pour-The-Love-Book/195634107114411

Options

HEART POUR ... and more: Front Cover Art - The Love Book

2011-01-11T03:06:00.000-08:00

HEART POUR ... and more: Front Cover Art - The Love Book: "Here is the front cover art for our new anthology: Heart Pour - The Love Book. This image was designed by Hugh Ward of Classic Blends from ..."

Front Cover Art - The Love Book

2011-01-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Here is the front cover art for our new anthology: Heart Pour - The Love Book. This image was designed by Hugh Ward of Classic Blends from two visuals by Kimmy Van Kooten. The anthology features words and images by more than two dozen artists on the subject of love and relationships. Printing of this collection was made possible with support of the St. Johns Cultural Council, serving St. Johns County, and the State of the Arts License Plate Program. The anticipated release date is February 14, 2011.

St. Augustine Spoken Word Sun Nov 28

2010-11-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday St. Augustine Spoken Word

Ancient City Poets

will present a poetry reading

from 3 to 5 pm at

City Coffee Company,

1280-A North Ponce De Leon Blvd

(near the Village Inn)

Sunday November 28

The featured poets will be retired Chief Petty Officer Terence Lee Conway. Published in Unrestrained - A Poetry Anthology by the First Coast Poets Society of Jacksonville, Conway has been writing since 2001. His memorable poems contain humor and deep meaning. His current book, Simple Poems for Brilliant Minds, is a work in progress.

There will also be an open mic portion hosted by Chris Bodor from the St. Johns Cultural Council for all those who wish to share a poem or two. For more info or to sign-up for the open mic online go to the group’s web site: www.bodor.org or call 904.501.0043. The event is free and open to the public. Due to the holidays, the Ancient City Poets will not gather on the last Sunday in December but will reconvene on Sunday January 31.

St. Augustine Spoken Word Sep 26th

2010-09-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday St. Augustine Spoken Word –

In observation of National Literacy Month, Ancient City Poets will present a poetry reading and book give away from 3 to 5 pm at City Coffee Company, 1280-A North Ponce De Leon Blvd (near the Village Inn) on Sunday September 26. Faculty advisors from academic literary magazines are invited to join James Wilson (The Flagler Review, Flagler College) and Rick Ryan (Ascension, Pedro Menendez High School) to showcase the written words of their student staff. There will also be an open mic portion hosted by Chris Bodor from the St. Johns Cultural Council for all those who wish to share a poem or two. For more info or to sign-up for the open mic online go to the group's web site: www.bodor.org or call 904.501.0043. The Ancient City Poets have been gathering on the last Sunday of the month since August of last year. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Augustine Spoken Word July 25th

2010-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday July 25th, 3-5 pm

City Coffee Company

1280 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd

Saint Augustine, FL 32084

Ancient City Poets presents the Heart Pour Sunday Matinee, a gathering that happens on the last Sunday of every month. The special guest host will be artist Kimmy Van Kooten from the Jane's Stories Press Foundation.

Featured reader will be sculpture Chuck Hooper.

A frequent collaborator with other artists, Chuck is trying his hand at writing specifically for this gathering. Musicians, who have written all their own material to preform, will also be in attendance.

This month's theme is "Art with Words". A sign up sheet will be available for any one who would like to share a poem or two and a piece of 3D or 2D art. Audience members can also sign-up anytime at the groups web site: www.bodor.org

Gathering # 010 - Sunday June 27th

2010-06-07T02:04:00.000-07:00

SPOKEN WORD IS ALIVE IN

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

Last Sunday of Every Month

Spoken word is alive in St. Augustine, Florida. Presented by Ancient City Poets, the Heart Pour Sunday Matinee happens on the last Sunday of every month. This will be our tenth gathering. The featured poet is Ezra Blaize, a 21 year old English Education Major at Flagler College. Originally from California, he has lived in St. Augustine since the age of 6. Special guest host will be Kimmy Van Kooten from the Jane's Story Press Foundation. A sign-up sheet will be available 15 minutes before the start of the event for anyone who would like to share a poem or two during the open mic portion of the gathering. Theme: Red, white, and blue - however way these colors may inspire you! For more info or to sign up in advance:

www.bodor.org

Our audience is very support to new talent and those searching for their poetic voice. These gatherings are for writers and those who support them. Learn more about guest host Kimmy Van Kooten by checking out her website:

www.authorsden.com/kimmyvankooten

Chris Bodor published - OWC Poetry Chap, 2010

2010-06-01T01:50:00.000-07:00

Chris Bodor's poem "Graduating April" has received publication in a collection called "OWC Poetry Chap, 2010".

The collection was assembled as part of the group's annual poetry project plan for National Poetry Month (April).

All were welcome to get involved and the result is a collection of work by ten diverse writers.

The cover art was done by Kristin Fouquet. Poets include: Seth Michelson, Jim Wittenberg, Linda Wastila, Chris Bodor, Paul Corman-Roberts, Sarah Page, Jessica LJ Smith, Casey Quinn, and Nicole Cartwright Denison.

Copies of the anthology can be purchased through the OWC website.

OUTSIDER WRITERS COLLECTIVE

Free download (pdf file) available here:

FREE download - a pdf version

Sunday May 30th - Heart Pour # 009

2010-05-27T02:07:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day Spoken Word

Sun May 30th, 2010

3:00 to 5 pm

CITY COFFEE COMPANY

1280-A North Ponce De Leon Boulevard

St. Augustine, Florida

Phone: (904) 209-6810
http://www.bodor.org
Event Pricing: free

Heart Pour Spoken Word gathering of Ancient City Poets presents open mic spoken word for writers and those who support them.

Featured artist Mike Marcellino with Ensor.

Mike Marcellino, a Vietnam War correspondent and award winning journalist, continues to write stories and poems about people, places and things. Mike has added a twist, with musicians the stories become a unique blend of music and spoken word. He has performed in New York City, Cleveland, Tulsa, and Baltimore.

Hosted by Chris Bodor from the St. Johns Cultural Council.

There'll be an open mic, so that the audience can present poems, quotes, or very short prose pieces (no more than 300 words) at the podium.
The theme
(if you chose to adopt it):
Memorial Day, war, and respect for the Military

Special focus on reading your work to music accompaniment.

This spoken word series provides a warm and support atmosphere all.

Gathering # 008 - Sunday April 25th

2010-04-03T02:05:00.001-07:00

Sunday, April 25^th, 2010 – Heart Pour Spoken Word gathering # 008

National Poetry Month Open Mic / Open House with focus on poems from foreign countries. Featured writer: Leny Kaltenekker. Hosts will be Chris Bodor from the St. Johns Cultural Council. More info: 904.501.0043. Sign up:www.bodor.org

Directions to the event are available at eventful.com:

http://eventful.com/staugustine/events/chris-bodor-michael-henry-lee-/E0-001-029132636-1

There'll be an open mic, so that the audience can present poems, quotes, or very short prose pieces (no more than 300 words) at the podium. Your piece should be presented in a language other than English. Secondly, you will be asked to translate the words into English for the audience. New writers who are searching for their voices are especially invited to come up to share their words. This spoken word series provides a warm and support atmosphere for all.

Gathering # 007 - Today March 28th

2010-03-28T01:58:00.001-07:00

Gathering number seven of Heart Pour Sunday Matinee an Open Mic Program of the Ancient City Poets hosted by Chris Bodor of the Outsider Writer Collective. Mr. Bodor is also a member of the St. Johns Cultural Council. Please join us on March 28 at 3:00 p.m. for a book signing and reading in support of Employees Only - The Work Book. Confirmed artist from the book - at press time - include Michael Henry Lee, Bobby Smith, Stevie Cenko, and Chris Bodor. There'll be an open mic, also, so that the audience can bring poems, quotes, or very short prose pieces (no more than 300 words) on the theme of National Poetry Month. New writers who are searching for their voices are especially invited to come up to share their words. This spoken word series provides a warm and support atmosphere for all.

No slam poetry please. The event will be at City Coffee Company in St. Augustine. They make great lattes and other drinks, both hot and cold, as well as sandwiches and sweet treats. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Bring a friend, buy some food and drink, and help St. Augustine celebrate National Poetry Month.

Week ending Sun Feb 7, 2010

2010-02-10T02:25:00.000-08:00

I have been fine tuning a schedule for the next few meetings of the last Sunday of the month spoken word series that meets here in St. Augustine @ City Coffee Company.

It looks like this:

Sunday, March 28^th, 2010 – Heart Pour Spoken Word gathering # 007

National Poetry Month kick-off event featuring contributers of Employees Only – The Work Book (Poet Plant Press). Hosts will be Chris Bodor and Michael Henry Lee. More info: 904.501.0043. Sign up: www.bodor.org

Sunday, April 25^th, 2010 – Heart Pour Spoken Word gathering # 008

Sunday, May 30^th, 2010 – Heart Pour Spoken Word gathering # 009

Open mic for writers and those who support them. Featured artist Mike Marcellino with Ensor. Hosted by Chris Bodor from the St. Johns Cultural Council. Theme Memorial Day/ War and the Military. More info: 904.501.0043. Sign up: www.bodor.org

I am always open to suggestions for features and themes. Thanks to RA Hasan-Jones for starting the 2010 season of with an inspirational performance on Jan 31st. The reading was a kick-off to Black History Month. Keep in touch,

Chris Bodor

Poet Plant Press

Week ending Sun Jan 24, 2010

2010-01-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

As we get ready for the second and last printing of Employees Only - The Work Book, I want to let you know that I have approximately 100 copies left of the first printing.

64 pages
Printer: Hugh C. Ward III / Classic Blends

There are two ways to purchase copies of the first printing:

1. Paypal.com
We do business under this email:
poetplantpress at yahoo dot com

2. You can mail a check or concealed cash to Chris Bodor's home address, if you prefer. Contact us through this blog for more information.

With Respect,

Chris Bodor, Editor
Poet Plant Press / 3 Pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Table of Contents

Employees Only - The Work Book (Poet Plant Press, 2009)
edited by Chris Bodor
assistant editor: Michael Henry Lee
front cover by Henry Denander
back cover by Kimmy Van Kooten
three illustrations by Jad Fair from the band Half Japanese
cartoon by Jefferson W. Branch
photo by Linda Kay Lund
forward by Florida factory worker Wayne Mason
poetic contributions by the following
Michael Henry Lee
Henry Denander
Karl Koweski (featured poet)
Mike Daily
Mike Watt of fIREHOSE fame
Puma Perl
Aleathia Drehmer
Patricia Carragon
Stevie Cenko
David Dannov
Judith Westley
Joseph Goosey
Dawn Corrigan
Vic Swan
RD Armstrong from Lummox Press
David Hill
Dennis Rush
James M. Wilson
Glenda Bailey-Mershon
opera singer Roger Geronimo
Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal
Colorado radio disc jockey Steve Seidenfeld
the enigmatic Charles Chaplin
and greybeard Upper Peninsula poet t. kilgore spake.

Week ending Sun Jan 17, 2010

2010-01-16T01:53:00.000-08:00

I will try to update this blog weekly - a new year's resolution, if you will.

Week ending Sunday Jan 17, 2010
This weeks news is cover artist Henry Denander just received his copies. My wife brought the package to the St. Augustine post office during the 2nd week of December. She sent them "Global Priority" to Henry (in Sweden) and he got them a few days ago. One month is a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time to wait for something as exciting as a Poet Plant Press anthology.

Also, Tim Hall has a review copy and he is going to look it over this weekend. Tim wrote great things about Poetnoise 2000 (Poetnoise Press, 2000) and I hope he still thinks highly of my creative efforts all these years later. And if he does not care for it, then maybe he will like this year's Poet Plant Press offering: The Love Book. And if he doesn't care for that one, then maybe next year's offering which will be a an artistic reaction to the events of September 11, 2001: the first decade.

Also, t.kilgore splake and Puma Perl have copies. We at the Poet Plant are eager to hear their reactions.

Also, Colorado disc jockey Steve Seidenfeld and Portland artist Linda Kay Lund are interested if getting their hands on a copy. I can't wait to hear their thoughts on Employees Only. They both had work that appeared in My Time - The Lunch Break Book (Poet Plant Press, 2007, so I am very curious to find out if they approved of this latest outpouring from the the Poet Plant.

Get your copy of the first printing of Employees Only - The Work Book today. This printing is 64 pages and it was printed by Classic Blends, a local St. Augustine company. Copies are 10 dollars each. Print run is 150 copies and there are approximately 100 left. If you are in the book, then your cost is only five bucks. That is how much I payed Classic Blends to print each copy. Employees Only features 3o plus artists musing on the subject of work and the work experience. Mike Watt (fIREHOSE, Minutemen fame), Jad Fair (one half of the brother band Half Japanese), opera singer Roger Geromino, RD Armstrong, t. kilgore splake, Daniel Nester, Mike Daily, featured poet Karl Koweski, forward by Florida factory worker Wayne Mason, and many more. You could easily sell the book at your readings for ten bucks and make five dollars profit on each copy. That is more money for you to fund your own fun art projects. Regarding shipping, please send a little extra to help defray the cost of shipping, if you can, especially if you live an ocean or two away from Florida.

Copies can be ordered through paypal.com - we do business at paypal under the following email address: poetplantpress at yahoo dot com.

Okay, this shift is over. I am going to punch out. Take off my Poet Plant work uniform. Conform. Shuffle shoulder to shoulder with the norm.

With Respect,

Chris Bodor
Poet Plant Press
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisbodor

Flickr

2009-11-21T01:45:00.001-08:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

First Printing

2009-10-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

We at Poet Plant Press wanted to take the time to share the cover art and the Table of Contents with you for "Employees Only - The Work Book". The book is going to print in the next week and I am thinking of increasing the First print run by 100 if there is enough interest from the ___ contributers and their fans and friends.

At 64 pages you really can't beat the price of $5 each. We at 3P will cover the cost of shipping. Please make checks out to "Chris Bodor".

Thanks,

Chris Bodor
471 San Bruno Street
St. Augustine, Fl 32086-1740 USA

Please let us know by Sunday October 25th (next Sunday), so that we can adjust our print run accordingly.

EMPLOYEES ONLY Table of Contents

Table of Contents - First Post

2009-08-10T03:41:00.000-07:00

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

FORWARD

Wayne Mason – Between Misery and The Muse

Section I – ORIENTATION

Mike Daily - 6:26AM: A Play In One Act

Bobby Smith - The Work We Do

Mike Watt - The Lighthouse Keeper

Wayne Mason - All In A Days Work

Puma Perl - But What Do You Do?

Aleathia Drehmer - Saints in Waiting

Patricia Carragon - The Designated Underpaid

Office Manager

Section II – FULL TIME

Henry Denander - All My Jobs
Stevie Cenko - Foreclosed

Michael Henry Lee - Melville and Me

David Dannov - That's Our Educational System

For You

Judith Westley - Train In The City

Joseph Goosey - While At Work

Dawn Corrigan - Clock Logging

Vic Swan - Grand Tetons to Motel 6

Section III – EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Karl Kowalaski

Section IV – THE DAY PLAYERS

RD Armstrong

David Hill

Dennis Rush

James M. Wilson

Glenda Bailey-Mershon

Roger Geronimo

Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal

Steve Seidenfeld

Charles (not Charlie) Chaplin

t.kilgore spake

BACK WORDS

Chris Bodor – The Birth of the Labor Poet

Chris bodoRTour '09 - Day EIGHT of 8

2009-07-03T02:15:00.000-07:00

Chris bodoRTour '09 - Day SEVEN of 8

2009-07-03T02:13:00.000-07:00

Chris bodoRTour '09 - Day SIX of 8

2009-07-03T02:10:00.000-07:00

Chris bodoRTour '09 - Day FIVE of 8

2009-06-28T11:54:00.001-07:00

Chris BodoRTour '09 - Day FOUR of 8

2009-06-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

Chris BodoRTour '09 - Day THREE of 8

2009-06-24T04:30:00.001-07:00

Chris BodoRTour '09 - Day TWO of 8

2009-06-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Chris BodoRTour '09 - Day ONE of 8

2009-06-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

WORK BOOK / Bodor on tour

2009-06-24T03:59:00.000-07:00

This Thursday at the Cake Shop in NY City - 152 Ludlow St, NYC
btwn. Stanton & Rivington - I will be reading poems, digging up ghosts, and burying demons.

*** Thursday June 25 6 pm to 8 pm
*** Chris Bodor feature

It will be a reunion of sorts because I am rounding up poets who read with me over a decade ago at a spoken word series that I hosted (Alt Dot Spoken Word).

ALT DOT SPOKEN WORD
reunion special!
w/ Chris Bodor & pals
from alt.coffee's influential open mic poetry series

free!, 6pm - 8pm

CLUB INFO:
http://cake-shop.com/calendar/

CHRIS BODOR INFO:
http://www.bodor.org

BODOR TOUR INFO
THIS WEEK
http://eventful.com/performers/chris-bodor-/P0-001-000203419-8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also I would like to invite you to arrive early to break bread with me, catch-up, and check out these bands:

2:30pm SHARP:BJ SNOWDEN
3:00pm:PHFAT RASKALS
3:30pm:TURBOSLEAZE
4:00pm:FIASCO

$6, ALL AGES, 2pm DOORS

Drive She Said

2009-06-18T02:12:00.001-07:00

It is funny - the people behind next week's Bodor Tour 2009 are actually my two teen age daughters. They talked to my Dad to see if he could bring them up to NY City from Northern Florida. He agreed and then my wife and I checked with our jobs and we were both able to get five vacation days. So it will be the five of us in a bus (that is what I call my father's vehicle). Hitting the road on Saturday June 20 @ five am. Before next Thursday's gig at the Cake Shop in NY city I will have done the following and more:

Slept at my mother's house that she shares with my middle brother (sun)
Sat in a coffee shop on Main Street Beacon where I lived for 14 years (mon)
Visited with friends that my wife originally met at her job at the CT headquarters of Ethan Allen (tue)
Read a peom or two at an open mic in Bethel, CT (wed)

Wish me luck. This all reminds me of a trip I took with my grandmother, two brothers, dad and mom years ago from England to Hungary and back. I called that family vacation "Six Plus In A Bus". I shot hours and hours of video footage on that trip. The edited version of "Six Plus" had stood the test of time and it is considered a classic in some family circles.

Wish us luck. I will keep you updated.

Road Warrior

2009-06-16T17:37:00.001-07:00

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Write on Track

2009-06-01T02:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of hurricane season in Florida (June First). Yesterday I started the first of 6 weekly meetings to keep this book project on schedule. Six weeks from now we will have to have all the text locked in so that we can hand the project over to the print. Printers usually need 6 week. If we keep this schedule then the book can be released on Labor Day (Sep 07).

So yesterday, I put all the poems with the word "work" in the subject heading into a folder. Also printed out hard copies of them all. Gave of what was collected to my assistant (MS). I have a money person on board also (MB), who is getting printing quotes and accounting for any pre-orders that come our way.

I am looking at the neighbor's grass. It grows longer everyday. I am going to call the landlord to see if he will let me cut it. 100 bucks up front, will cover 60 days of cutting. Then I can take that money and use it to seed this book project. Wish us luck.

Forward by Wayne Mason - May version

2009-05-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Many of you might know Wayne Mason. He was the featured poet in my 2007 anthology: My Time - The Lunch Break Book. HE has aggreed to write the forward for my 2009 project: Employees Only - The Work Book. The following text was written during on of his lunch breaks. Every week he polishes it a little. Moving around paragraphs and cutting out a paragraph.

Please please please provide comment so that he can continue to perfect the essay. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this post. With respect, CHRIS http://www.BODOR.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forward to Chris Bodor's Anthology - The Work Book
Rough Draft

It was a three years ago when I began compiling poems for my first chapbook Broken Zen that I initially began to realize the relevance of work in my poems. As I sorted through poems I began placing all of the “industrial poems” as I called them in a separate pile. By the time I was through I had not only completed my first manuscript but had unknowingly put together my second chapbook as well. That chapbook was Every Day Is Labor Day.

Around the time that chap was released a lot of my poems being published in journals were indeed industrial poems. It was at this point I started to hear terms like “blue collar” or “working class” slung my way. I’m not big on labels, but then I again I can think of a lot worse labels to be thrown at me.

I didn’t set out to be a “working class poet” but I didn’t set out to be a factory worker either. Then again who does?

For me, as much work and writing conflict they have also become terribly intertwined. The factory is not just where I make my living it’s where I get a fair amount of writing done as well. On breaks with notebooks or stolen moments behind machines or cramped bathroom stalls, walking around pockets stuffed with scraps of paper and poetic fragments. Amid supervisors cold stares and the clanking of cold machinery you take humanity in any form you can, from like-minded co-workers to the act of scrawling words on paper. The muse isn’t always pretty but unfortunately work is essential to survival. Though just the same for a select few of us so is writing. Most of us exist somewhere in the gray spaces between misery and the muse.

It was a few years back when my work life and poetry life were completely separate till one morning the bubble broke. The local newspaper ran an article on me concerning work I was doing trying to cultivate a spoken word scene in my city. Suddenly with the morning edition my dirty little secret was out and people were curious. I couldn’t resist obliging their curiosity. I started distributing my poetry through the factory to select people. The feedback was favorable but it was my little industrial poems that really went over big. These tired factory workers recited lines back to me, they told me that I took the words right out of their mouth, they told me they didn’t know poetry could be like that. Some of these people have went on to collect all of my chaps, some of them show up at my open mics, and some of them have went on to become regular readers of the small press.

To this day very few copies of my chaps end up in the hands of artist friends or fellow poets, they end up in the callused hands of factory workers who feel like someone is speaking up for them. They see something that they didn’t know existed in poetry…. relevance and everyday truths.

I think they will find that relevance in this book as well as they digest the words in stolen moments on the clock. It won’t save them from the grind of the time clock but it will give them connection. It will give them a sliver of humanity within the cold steel of machines and that’s good enough.

-Wayne Mason
5-4-09

National Poetry Month - St. Augustine Florida Events

2009-04-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

If you walk or drive past the Art Advocate (76-B San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine), you will notice a series of poems in the windows. Two of the poems are by Chris Bodor: “Love Poem” and “Courtney’s Smile”. The display has been put together by the Ancient City Poets who are celebrating National Poetry Month with a number of unique events this month. There will be an Open House / Open Microphone Event at the Art Advocate on April 18 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. If you want to read your poem, contact Chris Bodor @ www.bodor.org. A community poetry jam will be held on April 25 from 3:30-5p.m. at the Visitors Information Center. Bring a poem to share.

2009-04-10T02:35:00.000-07:00

CALL FOR WORK - on the subject of "Work"

2009-04-06T02:20:00.000-07:00

Do you know any poets or graphic artists who have worked in the civilian sector or a government occupation at one time in their life? This anthology will attempt to tell the story of what it means to have to work for a living - from the perspective of Northern Florida artists, as well as creative folks from the United States, Hungary, England, and beyond. Send a poem, essay, of image that was created while you were "on the clock/ on the job". Or send something what speaks about a memorable work experience. Searching for a variety of voices. Sing song rhyme. Psychobabble. Vindictive curse versing.

Submission Guidelines: WORDS should be saved in "Microsoft Word" and emailed to poetplantpress at yahoo dot com. IMAGES must be black ink line art and scanned at 300 DPI. A special myspace.com page profile has been created for this project.

http://www.myspace.com/theworkbook

Copies of the 2007 Anthology "My Time - The Lunch Break Book" are available for ten US dollars (postage paid) for any one who wants to see how Poet Plant Press Anthologies have come out in the past.

http://wwww.myspace.com/lunchthebook

April 18 2009 - Ancient City Poets Open House event

2009-04-05T12:10:00.001-07:00

Bukowski - My American Idol

2009-04-03T02:17:00.000-07:00

Charles Bukowski - The "Saint" of the labor poets. April is National Poetry month and Bukowski was a poet. He was the great living American poet when he was alive, but now that he is dead he can't be called the greatest "Living" American poet.

Bukowski left behind a legacy - as this video proves

Modest Mouse wrote a song about Bukowski - the postman who became a professional poet. In the song they sing:

Woke up this morning and it seemed to me,
that every night turns out to be
A little more like Bukowski.
And yeah, I know he's a pretty good read.
But God who'd wanna be?
God who'd wanna be such an asshole?

Maybe that is the question that we should ask ourselves this month when we talk about our poetry idols. I love the "idea of Bukowski". I don't love Charles Bukowski the alcoholic author of over 50 books of poetry and prose. I love the idea that any one can burp poems into a typewriter. I love the idea that anyone can scribble thoughts into a notebook. I love the idea of Bukowski - The Labor Poet.

Write On (You Crazy Diamond)

2009-04-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks, I have been attending a writer's retreat during my lunch break. One hour to dedicate to creative outpourings. Hand writing in spiral bound notebooks. Document the days. Through the fog and the haze. Dazed by my day job. More than just a slob. A court jester dressed up in a work uniform. Conform, perhaps. Living one day at a time. Waiting for the the next leap forward.

April is National Poetry Month

2009-03-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

A lot of people wonder what "Don't Try" means on Bukowski's grave marker. The answer can be found in an interview with Linda Bukowski in the May-August 2005 issue of the San Pedro zine The Rise and the Fall of the Harbor Area.

The interview was conducted by Pedro local, Mike Watt, bass player for the Minutemen, fIREHOSE, and various other groups (he recently toured Europe playing bass for the original Stooges). The following is an excerpt from that interview.

Watt: What's the story: "Don't Try"? Is it from that piece he wrote?

Linda: See those big volumes of books? [Points to bookshelf] They're called Who's Who In America. It's everybody, artists, scientists, whatever. So he was in there and they asked him to do a little thing about the books he's written and duh, duh, duh, duh, duh. At the very end they say, is there anything you wanna say, you know, what is your philosophy of life, and some people would write a huge long thing. A dissertation, and some people would just go on and on. And Hank just put, "Don't Try." Now, for you, what do you think that means?

Watt: Well for me it always meant like be natural.

Linda: Yeah, yeah.

Watt: Not like...being lazy!

Linda: Yeah, I get so many different ideas from people that don't understand what that means. Well, "Don't Try? Just be a slacker? lay back?" And I'm no! Don't try, do. Because if you're spending your time trying something, you're not doing it..."DON'T TRY."

Survived the Surgery - Good Bye Gall Simon

2009-02-17T05:00:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to say I am going to see my surgeon today @ 11 am for a follow-up. My gall bladder was taken out a week ago yesterday. The Good Doctor (also known as: Dr. Edward Sizzerhands) did a great job. He kept my "Old Lady" in the information loop - while I was looped unconscious from the knock out gas (anesthesia). I said some wild words when I woke-up in the recovery room. I am so happy to be coherent again.

BACK UP THE TRUCK:
In January I had gone to a two month follow-up with a surgeon. I told him about all the trouble I had during those last two months - those last sixty days. Bad stomach after cheese fries at a sporting event. More badder stomach at Thanksgiving. Even worse stomach on Christmas Eve.

With that Dr. Sizzerhands said he would allow the surgery to be scheduled. First I was thinking the middle of March (next month). Then we moved it to February the 2oth (this Friday). Then it got moved up to Monday, February the 9th. That was an interested date, because it was the morning after the Art Garfunkel and the Jacksonville Symphony concert at our Amphitheatre.

BELA LUGOSI IS DEAD
A few days later after the surgery had been scheduled for the first time, I had announced that I was going to name my "evil organ". I chose the name "Bela" - after Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi. I figured it would be fitting, since we were both Hungarian. Secondly, the name fit because my gall bladder was not really "evil" and neither was Bela Lugosi. Cousin Bela just played a character in the movies that was evil: Dracula.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE
That is the story of my dear diseased and now deceased gall bladder "Bela". Rest in peace Bela. Not to be confused with "Gall Simon" who you might remember as half of the popular folk duo "Simon and Garfunkel". Gal Simon and Heart Garfunkel were best known for their song "Cecilia, You're Breaking My Heart".

Laughing out loud and loving you layter.

First Born Son of Otto

2009-01-17T01:45:00.000-08:00

Found some old pictures and scanned them. Here is a pictures of my father, Otto Bodor. The 33 1/3 albums are a sign of the times. The Jazz sounds and bebop that all the Hep Cats of the era were turning on to. Yes - he is my daddy-o. I remember that my mother used to say that she liked her husband's "kiss curl". You can see it in this picture. I think it is also called a "cowlick".

Publish Post