The Math Guy and The Chocolate Oranges

I wonder if EOTNP is unique with respect to the ratio of men to women in the group. Our last meeting started out with ten guys and me until Philomena arrived at the last minute. This is a good group, with a diversity of styles and approaches to poetry and, obviously, heavily weighted toward a masculine point of view, if you you believe in such things, as I do.

My poem of the night award goes to Obee, whose word picture of his brother was colorful and moving. BTW, Mark was also impressive at Sunday Four with a wonderful digital photo presentation along with his poems.

Tim was very clever with his "you know - that she knows - that you know - she just did" phrasing when writing about reaching out unsuccessfully for a hero. We also noted it to be a more universal poem than we usually hear from Tim. Tom disappointed us by having Catherine Deneuve's sweater buttoned almost to her neck, but we chuckled at the green Ford Pacer with the SAME2U license.

Mark opined that Larry's Day at the Lake was successfully done. Dennis said he was reminded of French films. Was it the skimpy bathing suits? BBBurke's poem reminded us of the brevity and unexpectedness of life very effectively in his dependable abrupt-ending style. The Beach Boy is now off on an extended Mexican sojourn. Mr. Willis and Ms. Schreiber are also out of town, I hear. I am out of town in my head, listening to the call of the warm wind and the waves and the sand. That may be where I was during the discussion of Becoming a Poet because I missed most of the conversation and have nothing to write. Sorry, Dennis.

Paul's returning-from-war work was labeled "marvelous", "wonderful" "this will stay with me" "a great indictment" (of war). Perious Frink and the Witch of Limestone Gulley made an appearance accompanied by Alan's drum. Hey-Na, Hey-Na, Hey-Na Ho. One falls over laughing from Philomena was presented with a lovely illustration (in color, too). I like poems with pictures, and poems about teddy bears.

I think I speak for us all when I say that The Math Guy has been a great addition to our family. Hearing Jim's music and poems inspires me to set the bar higher in my own life. With his guitar, he delivered another good one, appropriately called Math Kind of Guy, and made us all smile. Thanks, Jim.

Nothing much on the calendar now that Alan's ColdFest is over. If you weren't there, you missed an abundance of turkey and wine, a round robin of poems, a visit from Stacie, and a platter of out-of-this-world oranges dipped in chocolate. (see photo) Charlie co-hosted in fine form and graciously endured Edie's attentions. Several patient spouses were in attendance and I managed to drive myself without getting lost or spilling the sausage cheese dip. So - all was well.