When I talked, played, and sang of “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary”

In 2006 after Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary was published, I gave a series of talks in California, Illinois, and New Mexico. In each talk I included stories, commentary, music, and poetry from Sightlines.

I have these talks at readings posted on Riehlife, but checking on them now I find that the transcripts are truncated. You can still click on the titles for the transcripts that give a flavor of the talks I gave in these locations and occasions. They are listed alphabetically rather than chronologically.

Mostly they were free, but for some I received an honorarium. Scanning the dates the bulk of the talks span from April to August 2006 with the last one being on the 2nd anniversary of my sister Julia’s death.

As I developed and gave these seven talks into 2007 I planned to gather them into a collection. I identified themes in “Sightlines” and shaped the talks around them featuring different poems. When I moved to St. Louis five years ago I gave two talks that fall at two Unitarian Churches, and then quit.

At that time it meant a lot to me, and also touched people. It’s another one of those loaves of bread left along the trail of my life as I walk on. I feel sad about those loaves, but I trust that the birds and squirrels enjoyed them.

___________

Clean up your room. (Link doesn’t work, so I’ve deleted it.)
I gave this talk in Northern California at Watershed Books. I later gave it for a literary salon across the river in Illinois.

HERITAGE
Poet Laureate of Lake County Reading
One of three finalists
April 1, 2006
Lakeport, California

MEMENTO MORI: LIFE AND DEATH MOMENT BY MOMENT
Remember the Moment of Death
to Remember the Moment of Life

This talk has been given three times at Unitarian Churches in 2006 & 2007 in Northern and Southern California (Riverside)and Illinois.

MEMORIES: EACH DAY RADIANT WITH NEW MEANING
SPECIAL EVENTS AT HAYNER
Hayner Branch Library Events
(OASIS Alton Center, Alton Square Mall)
August 16, 2006 (2nd anniversary of Julia’s death)

1 p.m. –Talk and Poetry Reading
2-4 p.m. Workshop: “Writing Memories”

NESTING: TRIBUTE TO MY FOLKS
Second Reading Bookstore
Alton, Illinois
April 15, 2006
1-3 p.m.

SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME
Talk, reading, and book signing at
Harwood Art Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
July 16, 2006
2-3 p.m.

STORY POEMS
Story Poems — Of And For The Families Of The World

Dedicated to my mother, Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson
Writers Read, Ukiah, California, May 25, 2006