37 years, opening ceremony at Naropa

Ann Waldman, one of the co-founders of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics opened this 37th year of the summer writing program at Naropa with a wonderful statement about flying out here with Allen and others to start this creative tradition 37 summers ago. The hall was filled with students of all ages, form many places. We each introduced ourselves and were asked to say something about how the oil spill touched us, very moving words, wow!

Ann's book on "The Beats at Naropa" took on new meaning for me, getting to meet and talk to her a bit. She will be at Woodland Pattern in Milwaukee in the fall to celebrate their 30th year of serving the poetry community not only in WI but here as well.

I am excited. This is going to be fun and more. The energy of people from 17-90 is something. Yes, there are a group of 4-6 in the 70-90 club. Of course no one listens to us here either, well that is not true of course. I will get a chance to read some of my stuff and publish one poem....fun!

More tomorrow as we meet our teacher, mine at least, Jamie Manrique, as we look at "Dreams, Voices, Visions, Riffs, Meditations Rants" in Literature and poetry. Good night!