Wednesday, March 30, 2011

It's almost here!

Hi folks: Looking forward to a busy National Poetry Month!  Next week's post will be by my first guest blogger Kathryn Jospe! I'm looking forward to it. the events are listed on last weeks post. Heres this weeks poem:

Busy
by Lawrence R. Berger

There just aren't enough hours in the day!
At least for this time of year. I've been running around
Like a chicken with its head cut off and keeping a hectic pace.
It feels good though!
Sometimes the days drag
like you're chained to a ten ton boulder
and the light at the end of the tunnel is from an
oncomming freight train.
Life runs in cycles
and that's a good thing. 

see ya in two weeks!  

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Vagina Monologues

10 pm, Sat, March 26.

Just returned from the single performance of this year's production of The Vagina Monologues sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Rochester.

Under the direction of Kara Zebelny, the enthusiastic cast did an excellent job, despite what I assume is little or no acting experience -- they began rehearsals last November, but each member of the 26-woman "Vulva Choir" read their monlogues from cards.

The monologues ranged from disturbing, to touching, to amusing, to fall-in-the aisles funny. Among the disturbing segments were, "Not So Happy Fact," on female genital mutilation; "My Vagina Was My Village," about the rape, torture and murder of women in countries torn asunder by ancient tribal hatred; and "They Beat the Girl Out of My Boy," about the oppression of boys and men regarded as effeminate and the salvation of some as transsexuals.

Especially enjoyable were the segments "The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could" (performed by Rachel Rosen Simpson), "The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy" (with Jenna Weintraub and her backup "moaners" Hawa Ibrahim, Helen Young, and Kelly Battaglia), and "Reclaiming Cunt" (France McClosky), an hilarioius and sensual reclamation of the ultimate pejortative term for women.

The performance was followed by a festive reception featuring the cast and various sponsors, including Deborah Magone, Boudoir Studio 6201, and, of course, Planned Parenthood and the Rape Crisis Center, which received the proceeds from the evening.

The one question I was left with was why the producers don't put on several shows -- say, the standard Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday matinee -- instead of just one. They could charge a bit less (e.g. $15 vs. $20 per ticket) and would most likely gross a lot more. Anyone have an answer for this?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Happy National Poetry Month!

Well, I doesn't officially start till April 1st, 2011  But March 21st is world poetry day so I figured I'd let you know what was coming up:

March 27th, 2011:2:30-4:00 pm:For teens-adults, and children with parents1985 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 14526  (585) 340-8720
Noted artist Dr. Alice W. Chen who teaches at Creative Workshop of the Memorial Art Gallery, at the U of R, will demonstrate her unique techniques of calligraphy and painting including etching on rice paper. Sponsored by the Friends of Penfield Public Library. REGISTRATION begins on Friday, March 11.  I'll be presentting a ten minute set  as part of this event.

April 2nd 2011: Just Poets monthly meeting. see http://www.thejustpoets.wordpress.com/ for details

April 3rd 2011: ABG art show : Community Room, Barnes & Noble Pittsford Plaza, 3349 Monroe Avenue, Rochester NY 14618 2-5 p.m. I'll be doing a set during this event.

April 6th 2011: I've invited some of my poet friends to be guest blogers. Kathryn Jospe will be doing the entry for this week!

April 10 2011: World Wide Open Mic. 2-4 PM PDT (5-6 PM EDT) sponsored by the Poetry Super Highway. visit http://www.poetrysuperhighway.com/ for more info.

April 10 2011:6th Annual National Poetry Month Celebration. Art Gallery of Skalny Welcome Center, St. John Fisher College3690 East Ave Rochester NY, 2-4:30 pm. Parking in Lots P & A. Free admission; donations to support Rochester Poets gratefully accepted.


  
April 12th : Triple Deuces Bar n Grill 151 St Paul Street, Rochester NY
New venue Tuesdays At 8:00p.m. should  be fun

April 17 2011: Liftbridge books 8Th annual national poetry month celebration
visit http://www.liftbridgebooks.com/ for more details

Whew! that wore me out just writing it.
no poem this week.
see you  next time.
http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000187234

Friday, March 18, 2011

Pat's blog!

Hi folks: here's the link to my friend Pat's blog I promised you : http://patriciabowser.blogspot.com/
check it out!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Thanks for all your comments!

Hi folks: I just went to the comments tab and looked at some of the feedback you've given me and I'm really inspired ! Thanks for all your comments! a few things happening this week:

1. The 9th Level premiered last night on http://www.killraidio.org/  .It airs Tuesdays from 7-9 P.m. PDT ( 10:00P.M.-2:00 A.M. EDT) check it out.
2. There are many fundraisers for the Japanese Red Cross. I found it interesting that as of 9:00 A.M. EDT yesterday only $23 million had been raised for the relief effort. Less than a third of what was raised for Hatti or the Katrina victims.  This weeks poem will reflect that.

3. for those that are new here are the links to my books:



http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000187234

http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Poetry-Just-Add-Words/dp/1450255523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296114461&sr=1-1
Okay now that that's all out of the way, Here's this weeks poem:
 
$23 Million
By Lawrence R. Berger
I realize the economy is bad
but come on folks
we're talking about
what is fast becoming
the biggest disaster
the world has faced since world war two!

People are dying by the hundreds!
No food, water or shelter.
If everyone gave just $.50
we could save them all!

See you next week.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Time for March Madness!

Hi folks!: I've got a lot going on this week! So lets get yet right to it.:

1. I've got my second interview EVER coming out Friday 3/11/2011at 9:00 a.m. EST . You can check it out at: http://myliteraryquest.wordpress.com/

2. I've found a new contest and publishing web site . check out the poem at:  http://www.voicesnet.org/poetrydisplay.aspx?poemid=195397

3. I've found a new publicatrion called the Honey Land Review.

4. Here's the link for my book :http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Poetry-Just-Add-Words/dp/1450255523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296114461&sr=1-1

5. My THIRD interview ever just went live today! check it out at: http://beyondthebooks.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/interview-with-larry-berger-author-of-instant-poetry-just-add-words/.









 check it out at: http://www.thehoneylandreview.com/


My good Friend Patrica Bowser started a blog this week too but I'm having trouble linking to it right now so watch for an update with the info on that.  Okay  now here's this weeks poem:


Aureoles
By Lawrence R. Berger




    


 The cherriess grow on trees
that also bear strange fruit
and the life of a strawberry's is wild
 
Sometimes people invest
in themselves but life looks different when you
look at it from chest high.
 
Neat huh?
see you next week.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Well It's March!

Can you believe we're already three months in to 2011? Where does the time go? I'm still available for bookings in case you didn"t know that and without further ado here's this weeks poem. It's excerpted from an upcoming collection called "Entitlement." :

The Dead Poets Overture

By Lawrence R. Berger
There was a time


when the value was clear.


A bard’s tale was worth a portion from the table


and a poet’s song was worth a cup of wine.






Return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.


But first I need a drink! Man I need a drink! Won’t one of


You good people be kind enough to buy me a frigging beer?






Excuse me ma’am but you have the most gorgeous legs that I have ever seen! Hey there sir would you like to have a" Naked Lunch?" Hey I’m sorry folks that was not me; I was temporarily possessed by the spirits of William Burrows and Charles “Hank” Bukowski.






I went to the doctor feeling low I told him “Doc in my head there is such an Ezra Pound and I’m all full of Tennyson and a Milton aches! Can you help me find a cure?” he said “Son your fine! You’re just reading a poem called the Dead Poets Overture.” So let’s not forget about Wild Bill (Shakespeare)


Edgar Allen Poe and many more I do not know.






Gotta rhyme, gotta rhyme, oh hell I’m running out of time


After this entire fellow must be kept at one page long.






We’ve nearly reached the end at last. It has truly been a blast!


This poem never ends as long as we have poet friends. Now I’ll make sure the torch is past to poets like you and you and you and all poets living, dead


and yet to be born to whom we owe a great big thank you!






Neat huh? If you like my poetry please consider picking up a copy of my current book Instant Poetry (Just Add Words!) you can order you copy from: http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000187234


or you local bookseler.
see you next week!