For the Poetry Pop Up Book Launch everyone who has pre-ordered a copy of Field Guide to the Lost Flower of Crete will be entered in the grand prize raffle for the chance to win a Lemon Tree created by chocolatier Nicolas Vanaise. I couldn’t resist because two of the poems in the collection are “Lemon Tree” and “Chocolatier.” There will also be additional prizes for everyone attending the event including mini-chocolate boxes, notebooks and more.
Thursday I cycled through the city to pick up custom created postcards. The first ten people to preorder the Field will receive five postcards and everyone attending the popup will also receive one card. The local printer had recently been burned out and on Monday when I was contemplating how to find a new printer the burned out printer sent me an email. This was super strange. First of all they were no longer supposed to exist. Second of all it felt like the cyber world was creepily connecting into my thoughts. However it was pure coincidence. The printer had quickly relocated to another section of the city and was sending me their Grand Opening email. Amazing!
On my bike ride home, postcards in my backpack, I read an email from an Australian composer about American composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski and I ended out missing my turn. I found myself at the same distant wrong intersection that I had encountered years ago when I had been spooling Beethoven through my mind which resulted in the poem “Urban” in Wavelengths of Your Song. Rzewski and Beethoven is not a bad combination if one has to be lead astray especially since Rzewski is often referred to as the Beethoven of our times. I looked at my work notebook today where on 2 June I had listed: continue conversation with Frederic. He died on June 26th. There has been a lot of loss during these years but we’ll also celebrate all of life.
I walked in the city forest this week with an American composer who will do the introductions for the Poetry Pop Up. I’ve given him carte blanche to say whatever he wishes.
A Greek composer just sent me three herbs: Thyme, Mint and Sage by Giorgos Koumendakis for solo piano.
Thyme clings high/ and away from the grazing and scents/ the air.
From “Entwined” in the Field Guide to the Lost Flower of Crete.
I have thyme growing on my balcony.
In real time you are welcome to join us on 23 July in the evening in the city forest. Send me a message if you wish to have more information and the official invitation.
For those of you who are unable to attend the Poetry Pop Up Book Launch it is still possible until 26th of July to watch the Poem in Your Pocket Day reading from April (where I read a number of poems from The Field Guide to the Lost Flower of Crete).