The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse in Stroudsburg, PA held an Open Mic Poetry Night on Tuesday December 20th. The event was hosted by Patrick Bresnyan and presented Tara Vivian as the evening’s featured poet. When I first arrived as The Cheeky Monkey, I found Ms. Vivian relaxing upon one of the many couches of the establishment enjoying her beverage while reading a book of poetry composed by Sylvia Plath. We spoke briefly before I ordered a drink for myself while she thoughtfully returned to her reading.It wasn’t long afterwards until the evening’s host, Patrick Bresnyan, entered the Cheeky with an array of percussion instruments including some tribal drums. I remembered thinking “Tribal Drums and Sylvia Plath, what a night this would be.” As the evening progressed as poets, musicians, and those who came to enjoy the event filled the room, it became evident night would be a wonderful one to reflect upon for quite some time.
The event began with some welcoming remarks given by Mr. Bresnyan which included assurances all forms and subjects presented will be greeted without critique or censorship. Immediately afterwards, he began sharing some of his poetry with those who came to partake in the evening. His style in both composition and delivery proved to contain a power designed to shake the soul of all who experienced his words out of its complacency and to open the inner eye to see what is their’s to witness. This was done with great effect as a soft inaudible “Ah” was felt throughout the room along with the sound of eyes becoming opened. Mr. Bresnyan also read works from his long time facebook friend, Sean Poole, whose words equaled the qualities found in Mr. Bresnyan’s work.
These readings were followed by those composed by the evening’s featured poet, Tara Vivian. Upon the first utterances of her words, one can feel the depth of human experiences in her work. The earlier introduction I had of her reading from the poet, Sylvia Plath, became a beacon from whose light I was able to fully absorb the poignancy of Ms. Vivian’s body of works. Each word, each movement, each gesture of the eye wrote and re wrote each poem until they were inscribed in the minds, hearts, and souls of every being who received their echoes.
The readings gave me thoughts about Sylvia Plath’s 1963 novel titled, “The Bell Jar.” Although I’ve never read it, the image of a bell frantically ringing out the cries of it’s inner existences while being muffled by a jar so anyone passing by could only hear a faint whispered reflection touched my imagination. Perhaps this was due to the sensation I felt of something existing beyond Ms. Vivian’s words and only a muffled echo touched my awareness.
It is then when I began to reflect upon how our experiences deemed too unacceptable to be expressed in their complete honesty are like bells being encased in societal jars made of glass blown from the ingredients of shame, ridicule, and judgment we and others combine in order to create a barrier strong enough to contain our cries. Occasionally, our tears finds flaws in the jars we have adopted but they are soon dried so these openings can be closed before our tones can discover an avenue for escape. They are shut up to maintain a polite distance enabling the denial of their existence.
Yet, there are times when these tones can be heard by the bell within our hearts. The evening at Cheeky Monkey’s was such a time as each poem shared by Ms. Vivian resounded their profound qualities throughout all they touched. For me, the awareness of what existed beyond her words increased as the long silent ringing of my own bell began to experience a heightened fidelity as each poem was revealed. As the evening approached its close, she read Sylvia Plath’s confessional poem titled, “Daddy,” she not only captured it and the poet’s essence, she also captured the essence of every soul within the room.
However, before Ms. Vivian concluded her sharings, a number of poets and musicians took the mic in order to share their talents. All of the presentations were befitting to the openness embodied in the event as many styles and levels of performances were offered an opportunity to be experienced by those who attended. The evening ended with a drumming performance by Mr. Bresnyan which allowed another, more honest view of the holiday to emerge. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Open Mic Poetry Night in The Cheeky Monkey 2011 Gallery Part 1 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150126424220421.327714.636000420&type=1&l=0ac968b925 and Part 2 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150545891045421.433139.636000420&type=1.
Tara Vivian is a poet who host The Broad Street Poetry Revival presented at The Broad Street Coffee House the second Tuesday of each month. The Broad Street Coffee House is located in Milford, PA and specializes in coffee brewed with filtered water to enhance it flavor and food made on the premises. Please Explore The Broad Street Coffee House Website at www.facebook.com/BroadStreetCoffeeHouse or call them at 570-409-6090 to learn more about The Broad Street Poetry Revival, other events they are planning, and all they have to offer the community.
The next Open Mic Poetry Night will be held Tuesday January 17th and the second Tuesday of every month beginning at 7pm hosted by Patrick Bresnyan. Images of the Cheeky Monkey’s Espresso Yourself Art Series Exhibition featuring the works of John Kolbek and Michael Parsons continues to be seen upon their walls and will remain there until January 1st. The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse also offers a variety of coffee, drinks, and culinary treats along with events such as the one described in this article. Please Explore The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse Website at www.cheekymonkeycoffee.com or call 570-236-5574 for more information.
