It's Like a Monthly Mini-Vacation on Long Island.
(L to R: Laura Cronk, Liz Axelrod, David Lehman
It's easy to see why the 19th Century poet, William Cullen Byrant, wrote much of his nature poetry at his Long Island summer home. For just a few hours, you too can be Bryant's guest at a brand new poetry reading series that began this fall. You can take in the harbor views, admire the stained glass windows, and enjoy a reception that follows each reading at Bryant's home and historic landmark, Cedarmere. Located just a short train ride away from Brooklyn and Manhattan, it feels many miles and centuries away.
Poetry at Cedarmere has brought some serious talent out to read poems and celebrate the life and work of William Cullen Bryant at his Gold Coast summer "cottage." On November 2nd, three prominent New York poets came to celebrate Bryant's 220th birthday. David Lehman, Star Black, Laura Cronk read and Liz Axelrod hosted to a full and appreciative audience. Star Black put us all in a mystical trance as she read poems from her books, Ghostwood and Waterworn. Laura Cronk's food poems were the talk of the afternoon post-poetry reception. Her advice in one of them: "Just don't eat!" David Lehman impressed the Friends of Cedarmere with his expertise on the life and poetry of William Cullen Bryant. Of course his own poetry was pretty spectacular, too. We wished olnly he brought more copies to sell of his New and Selected Poems.
Liz Axelrod, Stefanie Lipsey, Star Black
The first event in the series brought Long Island poets Julie Sheehan, George Guida, Liz Axelrod, and George Wallace for a reading and outdoor reception on the grand porch. Thanks to some generous funding and the efforts of Friends of Cedarmere, a non-profit that helps maintain the culture, grounds, and history of Cedarmere, poetry will keep going all year long. (There will be a winter break in January and February).
December's holiday reading features award-winning poets Gregory Pardlo and Cynthia Cruz. There's an open mic too. (Limited to the first names that sign up!) Come to Cedarmere and get inspired by the waterfowl , mill, harbor and sky.
Like us on Facebook or visit the Friends of Cedarmere to learn more about the series.
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