Report

The benefit advertised below did indeed take place on Feb. 15, and was a success in many ways.

First, it raised $290, which was taken over immediately, and another $150, which was just taken over today, for a total of $440, given to the Good Samaritan House. The latter part was eligible for the "Feinstein Challenge" in which some donations are matched by a grant, so could conceivably have brought in more. I can report that, every time I visit the Good Samaritan House, it is being used to shelter the homeless. They were thankful and promised to send me a letter.

On the poetry front, poems from many sources were read. First, Patrick Randolph's poetry was read by Thomas Gault; this included both Patrick's own poetry and poetry from "Father's Philosophy." Kathy Cotton read from her new book which has just come out, but which, unfortunately, was not available on the night of the reading. My poetry was a success, at least from my point of view; I also had a good feeling about the other poetry, and there was a visitor also (Tabatha Tripp) whose poetry was interesting and left a strong impression. I felt that the audience got a good show, and I heard appreciation of the different kinds of poetry that were read.

I look forward to another benefit, possibly next year at about this time. Thanks to all who attended. The original site for the Feb. 8 benefit (which was moved to Feb. 15 and thus got this site) is being deleted, but this will remain as a record of what happened; hopefully there will be more like it.

Benefit Poetry Reading

The reading has been rescheduled for Feb. 15 at 7-9 PM...we hope this is not an inconvenience!

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Patrick T. Randolph organized Empty Shoes, a national project to raise awareness of homelessness and help the homeless; it was a volume of poetry from well-known poets nationwide who then contributed the proceeds to a national organization. Since then he has also published Father's Philosophy and has appeared in numerous journals and publications. He is originally from Wisconsin, but lives in Carbondale now and with his wife Gamze is expecting a baby in late February. His website has links to his publications.

Kathy Cotton

Kathy Cotton's poem, Deluxe Box, won first prize in the Illinois State Poetry Society's annual contest in 2011. She is the Facilitator in the Southern Chapter of the Poetry Society, and is active in the local Transpoetic Playground, where performance poetry is read on Monday nights at Global Gourmet.

Kathy also does collage; her work is featured on her website.

Thomas Leverett

e pluribus haiku is Thomas Leverett's first published work of poetry, but he has published three collections of short stories and a collection of plays as well. e pluribus haiku is a collection of over 500 haiku from fifty states, based roughly on a travel experience in the 1970's, in a time when people traveled more freely. They are based on the idea that North American haiku, due the the diverse climates of the land, must include a clue to location as well as a clue to a particular season. He is better known as a fiddler in Parsley Sagebrush Band and has lived in the area for seventeen years. e pluribus haiku is available on Kindle or at the reading.

Benefit Poetry Reading, all welcome!

Feb. 15, 7-9 PM, Longbranch Coffeehouse, Jackson St., Carbondale IL

The Longbranch is just east of the railroad tracks on the main square of Carbondale.

This reading is a benefit for the Good Samaritan Homeless Shelter in Carbondale. Canned goods and donations will be accepted for this shelter. Nobody will be turned away, however. We hope you can attend!

More about each presenting author is above.