Not An Occassion Poem by Christopher J. Jarmick (Poem) Review

Chris Jarmick - are you there? I am trying to find you on the web so find out the name of the fellow who was one of the poets at the Fremont Public Library in Feb, March? (late fall 2007?) I just can't remember the date. John ________ ? Anyway, I'm going to take a poetry class with my friend, Kay Mullen (who also read at Fremont), and feel absolutely "numbed up" with regard to getting my head into this kind of naked/soulfull space. Anyway, this guy read a kind of travelogue type poem which really delighted me and which had a pace and sense of inquiry about exploring new space that I feel would be quite helpful to me. I simply would like to know 1) who this person was, 2) the title of of the piece he read, and 3) what journal contains this piece. Lastly, I find it VERY interesting that I should be searching for assistance in my FEAR OF EXPRESSING MYSELF POETICALLY and see your poem, "Not An Occasional Poem" - about what the purpose of poetry could conceivably be. It's quite shocking frankly because as a beginner, I feel need to get response and feedback in order to learn about this extraordinary craft. But you are offering a very "object-less" way of orienting the urge to express the spirit. In this way, It feels like it's an objective for old-hands (old souls) who have been there, done that. I'm not sure I can use it right now, but on the other hand, it's probably EXACTLY what I need to help me get over my terror of expressing clumsy, sentimental, badly read attempts to reach the sublime (oh fuck me... - ha!) Anyway, if you have the info on what's his name, I'd appreciate it. So how do we do this? I don't want to send my personal information here, but do you have Kay Mullen's phone number? I think the other reader at Fremont (Bea _____) has it. Yours truly, Laurie Johnson

Hey, I saw your picture under the scribbles. Are you famous? I like the poem btw:)

My personal reaction. I listen to and love a lot of pretty obscure music that none of my friends have ever heard. I've always been warmed by the thought that there's even more of it out there. It's a pretty existential point of view to take, but I do like the fact that the universe is becoming ever enriched with creative output even if I'll never experience it all. I think your poem speaks to that and it did make me smile. Thanks for sharing!