April 2013 – Robert Vaughan

National Poetry Month: April 30

Hi friends!

It’s the last day of National Poetry Month: BOO! So, today I have selected Mark Doty’s “A Green Crab’s Shell.” I had the great fortune of hearing Mark read this epic poem more than once; most recently at Omega Institute in their lake theater. Unforgettable!

Robert Vaughan reads Mark Doty’s “A Green Crab’s Shell” – YouTube

Some days are busier than others. Yesterday was one of those days. I had an interview with Stephanie Lecci that aired on WUWM’s “Lake Effect,” Milwaukee’s (NPR) program:

Lake Effect: Vaughn Finds Drama In the Moments In Between

On their website, they wrote some great background about Microtones, my new chapbook, and other various writing influences. I hope you enjoy the interview, and here is where Microtones lives if you are interested:

The Lost Bookshelf Homepage

Then, last night, we hosted our first Middle Coast Poets reading at the venerable RiverWest Public House. I want to thank my generous and talented co-host, Paul Scot August and the amazing poets who read: Nikki Wallschlaeger, Matt Specht, Sharon Foley, Dawn Tefft, Paul Scot August, Ed Makowski, Andrea Potos, and David Tomaloff. And what a great audience we had! Makes me super excited for our next reading in July!

We were all asked to bring one of our favorite poems by another poet. And so, here is a photo of me reading “Poem,” by James Tate:

Photo: Robert fights the power!

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National Poetry Month: April 29

Robert Vaughan reads “Flash” by Maureen Seaton – YouTube Furious cooking: poems” by Maureen Seaton This won the Iowa Poetry Prize in 1995.]]>

National Poetry Month: April 28th

But Our Princess Is In Another Castle, scintillating prose poems. Today, for National Poetry Month, I read “Double Dragon:” Robert Vaughan reads “Double Dragon” by B.J. Best – YouTube We Know What We Are This is a must read! I highly recommend this book, and I just finished it yesterday, for the second time. When was the last time you lost yourself in another world, a game, a different kingdom? ]]>

National Poetry Month: April 26

House of Incest (which, in the first printing was self-published. How she, in 1932, was WAY ahead of her time!) If you have not read this, do so now: Robert Vaughan reads Anais Nin’s prologue from House of Incest – YouTube Is there a book or a poem, or a passage from something that you carry through every move, through every transition? Do you love something in writing so much that you can’t find the words to describe how?]]>

National Poetry Month: April 25

The Gift: Robert Vaughan reads “The Sun Never Says” by Hafiz – YouTube Did you ever do something for someone else where it was simply that? Where it was truly a gift? Where you didn’t feel you were “owed” something in return?]]>

National Poetry Month: April 24

Robert Vaughan reads Gertrude Stein’s “Cezanne” – YouTube ]]>

National Poetry Month: April 23

Riverwest Public House Cooperative | Building community one drink at a time. Today for National Poetry Month, I read Tom Healy’s “Quiet Hands.” I saw this in BOMB magazine’s Spring 2013 issue #123: Robert Vaughan reads “Quiet Hands” by Tom Healy – YouTube Tom’s book, published by Four Way Books is called What the Right Hand Knows: ]]>

National Poetry Month: April 22

A Journal of Solitude by May Sarton, which I devoured, and her splendid poetic prose lead me to her poetry. Today I read “First Snow” by May Sarton: Robert Vaughan reads May Sarton’s “First Snow” – YouTube

When was the last time you planted a garden? Have you ever moved spontaneously, without many plans? Do you know the spiritual properties of any herb?

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National Poetry Month: April 21

Robert Vaughan reads ‘Closing Time at the Second Avenue Deli’ by Alan Dugan – YouTube For you, Andrea and David! xoxo]]>

National Poetry Month; April 20

Microtones, is “Legacy,” which is not biographical in any direct sense, but its theme is family. You can read it here: The Lost Bookshelf Homepage The poet I share today is Sharon Olds. She’s a veteran poet, stunning at the self-reveal, and focus on personal relationships, family matters. Her poem “I Go Back to May 1937” is a heart-wrenching visit back to her parent’s roots: Robert Vaughan reads “I Go Back to May 1937” from Sharon Olds – YouTube How did your parents meet? How did you meet your partner/spouse/lover? Can you experience or see it from the other person’s point-of-view?]]>