Poetry reading at MoPop Museum Seattle 13 Mar 2018

Believing poetry is for all and all art is for all and all art should be accessible, I offered to do a poetry reading for the teenagers that make up the youth advisory board (YAB) of MoPop Museum in Seattle.

When I first went to MoPop (then still called EMP) in November 2015, I was blown aware by how immersive and beautiful the museum was. It was very well equipped and educational but not in a clunky, demonstrative way. It offered opportunity: young people visiting could play instruments and record music in the studios at the museum. It's because the YAB directly influence the teen program and contribute original content for The Soundboard and the museums online network. High school-aged youths can serve on YAB for two years.

In 2015, we watched students that had attended the after school programs get up on stage and give a dazzling performance at the Founders Award, holding their own. It moved me to tears.

So as soon as I knew I would be returning to Seattle I reached out to artistic director Jasen Emmons, who I’d enjoyed discussing Bob Dylan with extensively, and said I’d love to give a reading for the youth program.

It was arranged that in addition there would be a Q and A after so the students could ask me about living and working as a poet, being self published, running my own publishing company etc. I read a mix of my poems from all three collections and put into context the writing process and events and emotions that had produced them.

I was very moved to see one of the young men I’d seen perform back in 2015 sitting in the audience, he was first to raise his hand and ask a question after my reading. I was asked such thought provoking questions from the students and I found them incredibly inspiring.

I wish to thank Alisha Agard, Jacob McMurray and Jasen Emmons. I look forward to my next encounter with MOPOP Seattle, and the incredible souls that make it so magical.