I’m incredibly honored to be reading at the 17 Poets reading series this coming Thursday — it’s actually a joint birthday reading for Dave Brinks and myself, so anyone in the area is are welcome to come and help us celebrate. We’ll both be reading new work, Dave from his just-published The Secret Brain: Collected Poems 1996-2012, and myself, poems from the past few months, including from Ecotone, and from my trip to the Middle East.This is what the night will look like:

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Casual reception begins promptly @ 7:00pm
featuring a performance by PETER NU (on steel drums)
+ complimentary wine, beer, juice, soft drinks
+ complimentary red beans & rice (provided by Megan burns!)

8:05 – 8:35pm
THE POET OF NEW ORLEANS BRASS BAND performs

8:40 – 9:00pm
Poetry reading featuring BENJAMIN MORRIS

9:05 – 9:35pm
JAZZ POETRY featuring
poet DAVE BRINKS
w/ THE POET OF NEW ORLEANS BRASS

9:40 – 11:00pm
OPEN MIC hosted by JIMMY ROSS

(sign-up begins at 8:00pm)

More details are available at www.17poets.com.

Just a reminder, for those who may be interested: the deadline for the 2012 residencies at A Studio in the Woods is May 18. As a former resident (and ongoing supporter — with Mollie Day, I’ll be reading at their Forestival next month), I encourage any who are interested to apply — it’s an extraordinary experience.

Today is World Book (and Copyright) Day. Go buy one. Or read one. Preferably both.

A few days ago I had the great pleasure of reading at Main Street Books in Hattiesburg, my hometown — a wonderful night, full of family and friends, which simply couldn’t have been nicer. Main Street Books, for those who don’t know it, is the south Mississippi equivalent to Lemuria Books in Jackson or Square Books in Oxford, and one of Hattiesburg’s true literary treasures: run by Diane and Jerry Shepherd — and their Maine coon, Patch — it has served as one of the catalysts for the revitalization of the downtown Hattiesburg area (where for many years, my grandfather owned and operated one of the two shoe stores in town). This year, they’re celebrating their 10th anniversary: congratulations to them both on such a remarkable achievement, and for anyone living in Hattiesburg, or even just passing through, make sure you go and support them. The store is beautiful, and always full of discoveries. And don’t forget to say hi to Patch.

In other news, I’m delighted to report that good friends Artfully Aware have published a new storybook from Uganda. More details are available on their Amazon page, but AfA describes it this way:

The book was written and illustrated by our community members from Northern and Eastern Uganda (written in both English and their local language of Acholi). Proceeds raised help us continue our volunteer based arts programs here in NOLA and Africa. We have a big HIV/AIDS awareness campaign that’s being planned with the Healing Center in May, among other programs.

A dear friend and fellow conspirator writes today of her battle against cancer in the Duke Chronicle. But Gloria is more than either of those two things; she’s a constant inspiration. To wit:

That feeling of helping others in such a profound way was the best feeling in the world, and all I wanted was to do more. So I did.