Read for Food

Read for Food owes its existence to two forms of sustenance:  food and poetry.

Joe Poughkeepsie to Co-feature at Read for Food

During the upcoming Read for Food literary fundraiser, which will be held on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 7 PM, Hudson Valley narrative poet, Billy Herman (aka:  Joe Poughkeepsie) will be featured alongside John Kenselaar.  Not to be missed, this event will be performed at Boughton Place's theater-in-the-round, 150 Kisor Road, Highland, NY (three miles east of New York State Thruway, Exit 18).  For more information, go to www.readforfood.org and www.boughtonplace.org 

Mr. Herman’s poetry and prose have a tone that beggars description.  He often seems like a misfit tin soldier, finding comfort in his discontent.  He thrives in the negative space surrounding his self-portrait and in the edgy discomfort of love unfound.  

If Mr. Herman had a nickname, perhaps it would be "Obsession."  Not because he owns stock in L’Oreal, but because his themes explore human experience by whittling away at relationships and personas.  Although he may often re-shape his point of view, he returns to his favorite topics like a honeybee to perfume.    

When I first discovered the Hudson Valley poetry scene two years ago, Billy had already been attending local readings for over a decade.  He has now become a regular supporter of Read for Food.  His novel and alter ego, Joe Poughkeepsie, is an urban-philosopher who oversees the worlds that exist between whistle stops.  Mr. Herman, who has a degree in English Literature from Bard College, has published Joe Poughkeepsie at home and abroad.

Some of Billy's characters resemble the nerve-wracked Walter Mitty, or possess Scarlet O’Hara’s cold-heart and Cyd Charisse's legs, but they all have John Wayne's true grit. Much of his writing transforms regret into revelation.

John Kenselaar: Truth’s Troubadour

There are cultures where reading poetry as we usually do, a cappella, would seem unnatural.  Throughout the world poetry is often sung or accompanied by an instrument.      I admire a musical approach, and will be the first to admit when I hear a popular song that is poetic.   From Simon and Garfunkel to Spearhead, who would deny the "poetry" in many modern lyrics?  Admitedly popular songwriting has usurped poetry.  Nevertheless, few modern lyrics rise to the standards most of us hold for poems.  This said.  It was clear to me the first time I heard John Kenselaar that he reveres song and poetry too much to allow one to intrude unreasonably upon the other.  John was reciting his poems while playing the grand piano on the Colony Café’s historic stage and his musical-poetry immediately reminded me of the renowned guitarist and occasional poet, Leo Koetke. 

If you are familiar with Leo, but didn't know that he wrote and performed poetry, then you might want to check out Leo’s album "My Father's Face."  What was so interesting to me about John's work was that, like Leo, John seemed to straddle both genres the lyrical poem and the poetic lyric.  You might charge me with aggravated semantics, but in creating from instinct and desire, rather than a geometric postulate, John may have formed his own exclusive category.  He couples his literary skills with intuitive instrumentals and a rich baritone voice that for me is as satisfying as a Lindy's Ruben.  

John Kenselaar, who has written and studied poetry for over 35 years, has become a regular and generous supporter of the Read for Food poetry series and its open mic.  I'll never forget how at our kick-off event last March he handed me his total royalty from the previous weekend.  All of which, and then some, was given to Rosendale Food Pantry the next day.  In keeping with this generosity, John's poetry is about life, love, and loss.  His work is as genuine as it comes, uncontrived, intelligent, and wise.  John's literary clarity, stage

Read for Food is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that collects food and money at literary events.  100 percent of the contributions collected at these events is given to local food pantries.  Currently, contributions are spread equally between three worthy causes: Rosendale Food Pantry, Family of New Paltz , and Queens Galley in Kingston.   Become a Read for Food Facebook fan!

Paul Clemente, Director

Read for Food,

May 19, 2010