By Jennifer Duffy
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.15.2006
The mic opens up for serious poets and poetry fans at Black Rose Caffe on Friday.
The coffee spot with a Gothic-themed interior will host its inaugural poetry reading event with two featured poets followed by an open mic for any other brave wordsmiths.
Jefferson Carter, a published poet and writing department chair at Pima Community College, will read along with Karen Brennan, the author of two novels, a memoir and two volumes of poetry, the latest from Wesleyan Press. Carter earned his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Arizona, and Brennan has her master of fine artsdegree from the UA and now teaches poetry at the University of Utah.
Carter, who helped organize the poetry series at the cafe, hopes the event will attract serious poets from all walks of life. “It’s hard to discuss the differences between good and great poetry, but we’re looking for language that grips you and shakes you,” said Carter, who often discusses what makes good poetry with his students.
“Wordsworth has this romantic idea of poetry that it’s self- expression poured onto the page. That’s a good way to start a poem, but where it becomes art instead of just expression is when you start revising it,” he said.
He invited Brennan to read at the event Friday after hearing her earlier this year. “I’m not easily impressed, but she just knocked me out. Her language itself is so musical. It takes off,” Carter said.
He hopes the poetry series, scheduled for the third Friday of each month beginning in August, will take off, too.
● Contact reporter Jennifer Duffy at 573-4357 or at jduffy@azstarnet.com.
Tags: About the Black Rose Caffe, In the News
