Moonstone Still Rocks!

I continue to be active in the activities of the Moonstone Arts Center, https://moonstoneartscenter.org/. They continue to hold their poetry readings and other events over Zoom, and they continue to publish poetry chapbooks and anthologies centered around important topics, such as the January 6 rampage on the Capitol, the former regime (whose leader doesn’t need mentioning), the Black Lives Matter movement, the #MeToo movement, the war in Iraq, and the COVID pandemic; they also publish poetry anthologies around famous poets, like Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Amiri Baraka. They also continue their Poetry Ink celebrations, with the publication of the anthology and readings by poets in the anthology (like me), as well as the New Voices series honoring new and young poets.

On February 20, there will be a virtual poetry reading of New Voices, featuring the poets Wes Matthews, Colby Bellman, and Rose-Marie Athiley. (https://moonstoneartscenter.org/event/virtual-poetry-reading-for-new-voices-emerging-poets-rose-marie-athiley-colby-bellman-wes-mathews-with-larry-robin/) On February 21, there will be “Philly Jawns: For women Revisited,” a tribute anthology to Nina Simone. (https://moonstoneartscenter.org/event/virtual-poetry-reading-philly-jawns-for-women-revisited-poetry-anthology-tribute-to-nina-simone/) On February 24, there will be an online reading, featuring the poets Ahmad Amallah and Grant Clauser, and and Larry Robin, founder of Moonstone and proprietor of the old Robin’s Books chain in Philadelphia, which was a great outlet for non-commercial books. ( https://moonstoneartscenter.org/event/virtual-poetry-reading-ahmad-almallah-grant-clauser-with-larry-robin/)

Please check these events out, and support Moonstone and other local poetry programs. The arts, like poetry, are not a luxury, they’re for all of us.

stack of books placed on seat of wooden swing
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

The Mason Missile, May 30, 2019

Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.

Greetings!

Since this publication takes a good deal of work and time, I welcome any donations, and I am willing to discuss ad space. For $10.00 I will be happy to advertise your business on the Missile. Please contact me and we’ll talk about it.

I have just finalized plans for my author’s event on Tuesday, August 6, at A Novel Idea On Passyunk, a lovely independent bookstore located at 1726 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. (https://anovelideaphilly.com/). We must support local bookstores; the big box chains and Amazon can’t fulfill all our book needs.

I will also be one of the dozens of fine Philadelphia-area poets reading their material at the 23rd Annual Poetry Ink, sponsored by the Moonstone Arts Center (http://moonstoneartscenter.org/). The event will take place at 12:00 PM, on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at District 1199C, 1319 Locust Street. Please try to attend; like I always say, the arts are for everyone.

I have also served on my division’s election board in the primary election on May 21, helping people exercise their fundamental right to vote. That is essential, especially since what’s left of our democracy-such as it has been-is endangered by a “president” and his minions trying to establish a police state for their benefit-or at least to repress attempts to legally get them out of office due to their corruption.

Impeach trump? I would NOT be opposed. I have friends who say we mustn’t impeach trump, since Mike Pence is more dangerous since he is more ideologically committed to the Christian Right agenda, which includes the “religious freedom” bills that permit discrimination against anyone-at a job or at a restaurant, say-on a “religious” excuse. LGBTQ+ people are targeted by these bills; but the bills would allow discrimination against anyone for any reason-“You’re a Muslim, I don’t serve Muslims.” “You Jews killed Jesus, so I won’t hire you.” You see where I’m going with this.

Back to impeachment-Nancy Pelosi has had fun mocking trump for his behavior, such as with the recent tirade he put on at a conference with Democratic leaders which was supposed to be about infrastructure, then going to the Rose Garden for a hissy-fit in front of the news media. Pelosi has also said trump wasn’t worth the bother impeaching, in a tone of “He ain’t nothing!”; but she sounds like she’s willing to hear discussions of impeachment from the rank and file of the caucus. 

There is also the rise in anti-abortion legislation, such as in Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri, which does not totally prevent abortions but only allows them after a certain period of time, long before a woman knows she’s pregnant, and by then it’s too late to have the abortion, so they would either have to carry the baby to term, or else go through some dangerous act-coat hangers, bleach, or worse-and risk life and health, or prison time. There are many fine people who differ on abortion and when life begins-at conception, or at birth? Scientists and theologians have debated for millennia when life begins, and they still haven’t decided; so why should a gang of political hacks in a state legislature have the power to decide? I believe a woman has the right to control her body and her reproductive system-end of story.

We are in a dangerous situation in this time. Climate scientists warn us that there are only ten to fifteen years left before irreparable damage in done to the environment-the air, water, and land which we all depend on to live. Far-right, racist “populist” movements are on the march in the US and Europe, and they’re not above using violence, including murder. But, thank God, I see some serious fightback against this, and I’m proud to be part of it, and I hope you join in.

Bye!

Moonstone, January 16, 2019

On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, I attended the poetry reading at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom street in Philadelphia (https://www.fergies.com/), sponsored by the Moonstone Arts Center (http://moonstoneartscenter.org/) , one of the great promoters on poetry and poets in Philadelphia.

Larry Robin, Director of Moonstone and great promoter of poetic talent in Philadelphia, who hosted the open mic.
Jason Mitchell, featured poet
Joe Roarty, poet who read in the open mic, like I did.

Next Wednesday, January 16, the next Moonstone poetry reading will feature Jennifer Anolik and Amy Barone. Jennifer Hook and Anila MacNeal will host the open mic.This will again take place at Fergie’s.

On Sunday, January 27, Moonsoone will host a tribute to poet JC Todd, featuring her new book, Damages of Morning. The event will take place at 2:00 PM at Fergie’s.

On Wednesday, January 30, Moonstone will host Hive Night, Apiary magazine’s celebrate of local poets, which will include an open mic. This will also take place at Fergie’s.

Upcoming, November 17, 2018

I will take part in the swap-meet tomorrow, starting at 3:00 PM, taking place at my favorite bar, Dirty Frank’s, on 13th and Pine streets in Philadelphia. There I will sell my books of poetry and my anthology.

I will also be at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street in Philadelphia, for the Wednesday evening poetry reading of the Moonstone Arts Center, http://moonstoneartscenter.org/ . On Wednesday, November 21, the featured readers will be Hanoch Guy and Lisa Grunberger, with warren Longmire as host; on Wednesday, November 28, the featured readers will be Lynn Levin and Joan Roberta Ryan, with Alina MacNeal and Jennifer Hook as hosts. Following the featured readers will be the open mic, where I and other fine Philadelphia poets will read their material.

Sounds and Words

On Saturday, November 10, I attended Sounds and Words, a fundraiser for the Moonstone Arts Center, held at District Council 1199C, 1315 Locust Street in Philadelphia. Moonstone has been the platform for poets (like me) to publish and perform their works.

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Larry Robin, left, and founder of Moonstone, alongside of Elliot Levin, poets and saxophonist.

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The volumes of poetry published by Moonstone on display.

Upcoming, November 9, 2018

Tomorrow, November 10, I will attend a Resource Brunch, featuring Philadelphia city agencies and social service agencies, at Galdo’s Catering, on 20th Street and Moyamensing Avenue in Philadelphia; this event is sponsored by City Council-member Kenyatta Johnson.

Later that evening, I will attend the event, Sounds and Words, a fundraiser for the Moonstone Arts Center, one of the greatest promoters of new poetic talent in Philadelphia. It will take place at District Council 1199C,  1319 Locust Street in Philadelphia. There we will be entertained by the music of Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound 4, with Sumi Tonooka, Richard Hall, and Elliot Levin; and poetry by Sonia Sanchez, Joe Roarty, Jamar Hall, Ryan Eches, Michelle Myers, Jeffery Ethan Lee, Bethlehem Robertson, Kirwyn Sutherland, Kimmika Williams Witherspoon, and Cityekai Afua Zankel.

Upcoming, August 14, 2018

I will be joining members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Jewish Labor Committee (JLC) in a rally at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, tomorrow, August 15, 2018, at 4:00 PM, to protest the detaining of immigrants and the separation of children from their parents. The policies pursued by this regime is nothing short of conscious cruelty, and racism is the only reason behind it-the idea that certain groups of people are less worthy of respect. To stand against this is the only right way to go.

Following that, I will join with other fine Philadelphia poets at the poetry reading, sponsored by the Moonstone Arts Center (http://moonstoneartscenter.org/) for their weekly poetry reading at Fergie’s Pub (http://www.fergies.com/), 1214 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. I will take part in the open reading following the featured readers’ performances. I continue to support Moonstone and their work in promoting poetry among working people; the arts are not a luxury, they are a necessity for all of us.

Moonstone Arts Center, July 25, 2018

I will attend the reading of the Moonstone Arts Center, to be held at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (http://www.fergies.com/) The featured readers will be Clinton Smith, poet, prose writer, and musician; and poet Elijah Pryor. There will be an open mic reading, which I shall take part in. (http://www.moonstoneartscenter.org/).

Anthology of Featured Poets at Moonstone

I will be one of the featured poets at a reading program of poets who have been featured readers of the Moonstone Arts Center ( http://moonstoneartscenter.org/), to be held 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Fergie’s Pub, 13th and Sansom streets, on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Included in the lineup are Irving Jones, Bob Zell, Richard S. Bank, Carolina Morales, Audrey Rahab Hiers, and others. Please come out and support your local artists and geniuses.

Not Our President Poetry Reading

I will take part in the reading of the poetry chapbook Not Our President, an anthology of poems protesting the current inmate of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and everything he stands for. I will join other fine Philadelphia area poets, including Leonard Gontarek, Enoch Guy, and Irving Jones, among others, at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street, on Sunday, November 5th.

For more information, contact http://www.moonstoneartscenter.org/