Loose Leaf Notes

When I arrived at the 9^th annual Little River Poetry festival Friday Toni Britton was reading poems under the big tent to an attentive audience.

LRPF founders Judith and Jack set the stage with words of welcome.

Poets reunited with hugs and conversation while lunch was being set up by the crew at Floyd’s Outer Space.

After nine years, it felt like no time had passed or like a reoccurring dream. Some things were the same and some were different

There were old friends and new faces. Our friend Robert surprised us with a visit.

Katherine and I premiered the new collection in our Soulful Aging duo reading series: Fairy Godmother’s Midnight and the Art of Archetypes.

The set started at the enchanting beginning with “Once Upon a Time,” which was dedicated to Joe who was taking pictures. Katherine followed with Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Stories, Oh My!

“This poem needs to be read with your shoes off,” I said before reading The School of Higher Learning, a coming of age poem with a focus on my Irish heritage.

Katherine conjured her recent enchanting pilgrimage to Ireland and our friend Sarah (1st time festival reader/pictured center) read a poem about Ireland, where she lived for a time.

Robert came out to hear Katherine and I read but stayed for a workshop with Krista and Rachel.

They used Tarot cards as a bridge for poetry collaborations and some really interesting poems were created.

The workshop was followed by a rousing Open Mic, a favorite mainstay of the festival.

It was really heartwarming to see first time festival readers share their work.

Here’s a new festival reader reading from his poem in the Floyd-based literary and art journal, Artemis. We love Artemis!

Our friend Izzy sang a sweet original song. She is also selling her artwork at the festival.

And the poets have new books to sell every five minutes, says Gina in her tongue-and-cheek poem.

This couple read a back-and-forth duet. I wish I could have video-taped it but it was too dark. Thanks to Jack for the improv lighting. More to come at the Little River Poetry Festival (check out their Facebook page) today and Sunday at On the Water Outfitters,  2053 Thunderstruck Road. Come on down.  Poet kayakers are writing poems in kayaks as we speak. Facebook HD photo album coming soon – Colleen Redman