Video: Reading at El Rito Public Library

Via newfangled moving picture technology

You never know what to count on when doing a poetry reading. I mean, yes, I can count on not selling out Hyde Park or Madison Square Garden. But will people show up for free snacks, then feel guilty enough to stay through a couple poetry readings?

Sometimes, though, people delight you. I was delighted yesterday at El Rito Public Library, up the road from here in northern New Mexico. This is not a large community. But still, more people showed up than I could count. (Remember: English major. I can’t count that high.) They all paid attention while I read. And then the ones I didn’t drive away stayed for another poetry reading with my friend and neighbor, Oro Lynn Benson (author of Because of the Sands of Time).

I saw people I communicate with by email frequently. I met people in the flesh I’ve only ever seen on Zoom. And then we all signed up for library cards, because that helps the library’s numbers for funding.

Also, I gotta say: the El Rito Public Library is a gem. It’s the warmest, most welcoming adobe, with gorgeous wood floors and rich sunlight and at least three friendly librarians, who did not shush me once — and I was not exactly quiet.

It got me wondering about a road trip with stops at every small-town library. Wouldn’t that be delightful, in its way?

Anyway, here is a video of my poetry readings yesterday afternoon, from Owl Poems and Desert Apocrypha. Thank you to Lynett, the El Rito library director, for making this (and so much more) possible, and for the greatest introduction I’ll ever have. Thank you, Oro Lynn, for inviting me to read with you. And thank you to everyone who attended, not only for supporting us poets, but for supporting libraries.

If you need a pick-me-up this week, go check out a book from yours.