Poetry Lecture with Yusef Komunyakaa

The great thing about actually taking pictures is that I remember how much I love to shoot. Like it makes me really happy. I've been doing so much computer work and it can leave me dazed and moody (read, extremely grumpy). And then, shooting this poetry lecture, I had my camera up, looking through the lens, waiting for Mr. Komunyakaa to look up, to gesture, to smile and I had the flash. That feeling of happiness and rightness and joy. I'm doing what I love and I'm surrounded by and exposed to amazing people that I might not otherwise get to experience. It all sounds incredibly hokey...

I've done a number of Seattle Arts and Lecture events this month...their always interesting and I'll share a few from others soon. Mr. Komunyakaa writes a great deal about the Vietnam War and what really struck me was his beginnings. Years after the war he was on a ladder doing some remodeling when a thought struck him and he climbed down and made a note and that apparently was the beginnings of his life as a poet....

My favorite part of the lectures is the question and answer part...Rebecca sits and has a conversation with the poet. I can hardly have a decent conversation one to one and Rebecca has these smart, funny, intelligible talks in front of hundreds of people...