Many do not know this, but early on in my adult life, I once (and only once) decided to move away from New Jersey so that I might afford living elsewhere alone. That somewhere ended up being Secane, PA. While living there, I happened upon Eileen D’Angelo’s Mad Poets Society. It was a home away from home as far as open mics and readings went; the community was as welcoming as it was talented. One of my poems ended up being published in one of the group’s anthologies, and I read at their annual festival some time back. While I moved back to New Jersey only a short time later, I maintained a great affinity for the group. So when I saw an email blast calling for readers, I decided to end my estrangement. Luckily, they were of a similar mind.
The Mad Poets Society Festival is a yearly affair that usually coincides with a street fair, which takes place in Media, PA and features all kinds of great foodstuffs. (Note: the street fair is scheduled for the October 8 this year.) While the latter would definitely be reason alone to attend the poetry festival, the 55 scheduled readers (including me) on the bill for the 36th iteration, which will take place rain or shine on October 1, 2023, more than justify the trek. It’s a short, one-day festival featuring five sets of 11 poets reading approximately five minutes of poetry each. If you’re looking to hear me, I’ll be in the third set, which kicks off at 2:00 pm (1400) in The Mansion Parlor at the Media Borough Hall (301 N. Jackson St.; Media, PA). I’ll have copies of my chapbooks and formal collections for sale, but mostly I hope to see you all there!
Affairs of Ink 