Poetry in the Cellar
Another surprise culture night (SCN):
I found out that the café I go to regularly, called "La Cave" ("The Cellar"), has... a cellar. Where people read poetry on Monday nights. Lots of people, mostly English speakers. Poems, songs, stand-up, "anything goes." Great atmosphere.
I got on stage to recite this short poem by François de Cornière in French and English (translated by ChatGPT) because you have to start somewhere.
Then came the special guest of the evening: Bonafide Rojas, a poet from the Bronx who came to read excerpts from his book Excelsior. So funny. So charismatic. They call it poetry, but it's very personal trains of thought bursting out on stage.
Bonafide Rojas reading excerpts from his book "Excelsior".
He signed his book for me. I've only skimmed it so far, but here's what I like: every poem is loaded with notes explaining the cultural references. In case you're not a hip poet from the New York scene yourself. Smart.