Day 6: Laramie UPDATE! More from Laramie! **** Bill drove all night from Salt Lake City to Saratoga, WY where he had scouted out a hot springs, or “hobo pool.” In Saratoga after a soak in the Hobo Pool, I bought the Sibley Guide to Western Birds at a little bookshop, identified a Northern Flicker on a telephone pole, then wandered down the street to watch a junior high football game (it looked like the blue guys were winning). At the hobo pool parking area, we made a quick film (directed by Blake Young), re-packed the bus, cleaned up the interior, and had what I hope will become known as the Saratoga Summit where Matthew, Joshua and I worked out some boring but essential logistical details (where should the hand truck be stored? Who is in charge of telling people they can’t bring lunch meat on the bus?). After the hobo pool in Saratoga, Craig Arnold and Rebecca Lindenberg graciously welcomed us in Laramie with pizza and wine. Jumping ahead temporally, I should tell you I’m writing this from Craig’s friend Alan’s couch where I slept like a dead person after a pleasurable if a little scary night at the Buck Horn bar. I then showered and shaved like a live person and so feel ready for Denver. I’ve spent almost an hour this morning reading Bhanu Kapil’s new book, “Incubation A Space for Monsters,” which she left for me on my jacket after the reading and then disappeared before I could thank her (thank you, Bhanu!). Bhanu had been scheduled to read with us in Denver, but family complications kept her from being free that night, so she called and asked if she could run up to Laramie and read there. Of course. I love Bhanu’s work, and she seemed like a lovely person from my correspondence with her (my friend Eric had also said that he was “on Team Bhanu” which is always a good sign), but I had never met her until last night. It is now safe to say I am also on Team Bhanu and I would like to impress upon you the personal benefit you might obtain by joining as well. Below is a recording of her reading. I apologize for all the room noise—it’s certainly not the Peel Sessions, but it might give you an idea of the mesmerizing nature of Bhanu’s work. Bhanu was in the middle of what was the best reading we’ve had so far. Other readings have been incredible experiences full of great poetry, but for this reading the sound was perfect, the readers all stayed within their time, and all the poets read with particular intensity (Matthew Zapruder gave an especially killer reading). As I write, I realize that saying all the readers stayed within their time could sound petty, but after six big readings I can’t overemphasize the importance of patient and careful brevity for these things. Nothing kills the reading more efficiently than a reader who takes his or her slot as a time to shine long and laboriously. Anyways, after a great breakfast in Craig’s Spartan but lovely apartment, we’re on the road headed to Denver with new passengers! Matthea Harvey, Kristen Prevallet and Tina Celona are all aboard, which reminds me, Kristen read a poem with Bill, the bus driver, accompanying her on guitar and harmonica. Just the type of spontaneous creativity we hope to foster on this trip!

icon for podpress Bhanu in Laramie [5:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

1 Comment(s)

Comment by noah on 09.11.2006 1:33 am

Goodbye poetry bus. Goodbye Travis. Be nice to JMW! Denver Loves you!!! Thanks for rollin&; in! xoxo

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September 10th, 2006

Day 5: Salt Lake City Day 7: Denver