June 26, 2003

BROOKLAND WRITERS SERIES
"Brookland Writers Past & Present"
June 26, 2003 - Brookland Visitors Center

Our 2nd BAWA reading went very well. They keep getting better and better. We had a number of new readings by historic Brookland writers. Last night's writers included Sterling Brown, Ralph Bunche, Jean Kerr, & Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

As in the first reading, we were struck with the timeliness of these selections. Michael read a piece by Sterling Brown on the inequality of DC that still rings true decades later as well as two stunning poems by Brown. He later read two very humorous Jean Kerr pieces about the realities of parenting and spousal differences that could easily be published today. I read an excerpt from Ralph Bunche's 1950 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech that spoke about the illogic of "preventive wars" (how timely is that?) as well as the closing paragraphs of Marjorie Keenan Rawlings' book "Cross Creek" that spoke of property rights and the caretaking of land and earth.

Sharing contemporary Brookland writing were Michael Gushue, Raymond Allard and I. They were all poems ranging in topic from loss, to a wonderful play on "rose" (my Cuban mother would have appreciated the funny ending to that one Michael) as well as love and longing. It was wonderful to hear living poets read their work and moreso neighbors who have labored with word and prosody read their creations aloud.

There were eight of us at this reading. Thanks to the folks who braved the heat of the early evening to come and sit in the (well airconditioned) gallery and listen to poetry and writings from the past.

Many thanks to all the readers and Michael Gushue for researching the historical readings. Also thanks to Vinnie Wohlffarth for arranging use of the space and the Summer intern Candee for her gracious hosting last night.