Last night was the last Clean Part reading of the academic year. It was the exclamation mark. So many people showed up. Perhaps a record (outside the Poetry Bus reading) if not close to it. Books were sold sold sold. The readers were absolutely dynamite--all so deliberate and confident. They knew their poems as well as their children (they don't have actual children). It was my first time meeting Laura and I regret not hanging out more. She reads her poems as if they're memorized, but she reads them. Do you know what I am saying? Because I don't. She was good. Michael is the king of banter, so excited and engaging. His reading of The Woods are Burning is worth the price of admission. It was great to have Hadara back in town. I miss her. Her new stuff is crazy good.

It was a stellar year and we'll do it again next year. So check back in at some point soon to see next year's lineup.


Hadara reading in front of Rothko.


Clean Parters rushing back to their seats. Mathias giddy.