After Shocks Visits Boston

On Saturday, May 2, nine contributors from After Shocks: The Poetry of Recovery for Life-Shattering Events joined me at the Suffolk University Poetry Center, Boston, to read from the anthology.

Annie Finch, Martha Collins, Steven Cramer, Nancy Tupper Ling, Becky Thompson, Pam Bernard, Carol Dine, and Jennifer Barber read their poems and other selections from After Shocks. Afaa Michael Weaver read from his Foreword to the anthology.

After the reading, Pam Bernard said, "How wonderful...to see first hand why this book emits such power. In the spirit of true grace, you have created something bigger than yourself, bigger than all of us, and sent it as a gift into the world. I was honored and humbled to be there among just a few of the amazing poets you have gathered." Carol Dine said, "A page in the anthology is like a leaf that has curled and died; beside it, a bud, greening." The other contributors were also quite complimentary towards After Shocks and its impact. Becky Thompson told me something that nearly knocked me over: "It's good to see a white editor publishing so much poetry by poets of color." She referred to the 14 African Americans, two Latinos, and 2 Native Americans included in the anthology.

Jennifer Barber, acting director of the poetry center, was our gracious host for the reading. Becky Thompson traveled all the way from Colorado Springs to read. Thanks to both of them for their efforts, and to all of the poets who read.

The Suffolk University Poetry Center is a lovely venue in case you're planning a reading.