Reading at Stone Soup

There is a wonderful chemistry
To reading at Stone Soup.
Everyone is quite polite
Yet somehow it is clear
When one's poem succeeds or fails.

Chemistry?
More like electricity in the air,
When your poem makes contact.

Other times an invisible fog rolls in
When your poem falls flat.

I've experienced both.

The electricity was a surprise
But most welcome
At my very first reading.

The fog was a kindly one.
From the silent reactions
Of my listeners,
I believe I learned
What needed to change,
And I look forward to
Trying that poem again
With amendments.

Thank you Stone Soup.
Thank you one and all.


	12 January 2001
	by Bill Cattey