my one fan

my mind is spinning from the carne asada sitting in the backseat of my pony. i like to buy some scrumptious food and then make myself wait to eat it. weird that way. last time i got an order of these, i devoured the entire thing, which is probably a pound of meat, cilantro, onions with green chile and lime. mmmmm. so much for being a vegetarian today.

had a poetry workshop this morning and while i did write a poem, i did find a great wellspring of other things. not to mention a wonderful woman whom i was there to meet. one of those serendipitous occasions.

i tried to strike up conversation with the gentleman who is not a poet but host of the poet whose workshop i took. it was awkward, strained. i was graceless and admitted it.

i hate chitchat, but i wanted to try to make you comfortable.

it would have been better if i scowled at him or ignored him from across the room. i walked away, and had wonderful conversations with all kinds of other souls i haven't seen in months.

even introduced myself to a mousy blonde standing between me and another poet because i figured she was his friend. best to say hello. well, they had just met there too, and when we started talking, she let on about some projects she's starting up.

i'm going to need an internship for my master's work.

this is exciting!

she said.

and we talked more, effortlessly (i was hoping the guy could see i'm not a total and complete social clod. perhaps it is give and take that keeps awkwardness at bay).

we have many similar perspectives, though she is seasoned far beyond me. as the conversation unfolded more and more of the same influences of thought and interest came up. campbell, woodman, leventhal. straddling my dual passion of psychology and poetry, it seemed everything i've dabbled in, she's done. and, well, it made me not feel like a complete loser.

i'm going to check out movies, and stuff myself with mexican tacos (the genuine article). then, who knows...

oh, but before i go...i read at the open mic after the worshop/reading. and one person hollered when i went up to the mic. i didn't see who it was, and it was from a section of the room i hadn't realized i knew anyone.

ah, my one fan.

i said when i got up there.

everyone laughed.

my poem was delivered perfectly poised, and they loved it.

sometimes, when i do what i'm supposed to be doing, it's so easy.

THIS JUST IN!
i am going to be reading here:

Lips will hold a Publication Celebration Reading for Lips Number 30/31 on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.



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