Bruce Whealton: Existential Writing

I remember that first time,
when I stood at a podium
in front of others
to read my poetry -
It was April 1992.

Two people helped
make this happen.
Jean Jones was listed
as the contact person,
in the newspaper,
for the poetry reading
at the Coastline Convention Center.

He told me that
“yes, people come to read
their own poems”
and that Dusty
was the MC.

It’s funny what you remember.
I remember knowing Jean
was a skilled, educated poet,
though I cannot remember
what it was precisely
that led to this assessment.
I remember those first few poems
that I shared with him,
in the hopes that his
advice or guidance
would help me feel better
about my poems
or about myself as a poet -
that’s what I mean to say,
this was a defining time.

I don’t know what
would have happened,
how my life might have been different,
were it not for Dusty, also.
She said our poems
are GIFTS!
Wow!

So this one is for you –
Jean, Dusty…
for what it is worth
to either of you.
I hope this matters to you
and that in some way
I make an impression -
a positive impression -
on you.