Love, Belfast

At our last Zoom live reading with some of our authors from the first issue of kerning, one of them remarked about the power of listening to writers read their work out loud. We were gifted with the opportunity this afternoon and want to share it with all of you. Four past Belfast, Maine poet laureates read at the Camden Opera House in front of a live audience today. Lucky for us it was recorded because TWO of our kerning authors were on the stage—Karin Spitfire and Elizabeth Garber. Their work is potent, magical, powerful, and moving.

Please take some time to listen to all of the readings (which start at minute 9 on this recording). It's truly a gift to hear these writers breathe life into the words on the page. https://fb.watch/b9eyJEnMb7/

And if you’re interested in finding out more about LD1626, which Karin mentions after reading her poem “Liquidation,” there is an excellent FAQ page on the Wabanaki Alliance website here. The public hearings in front of the Maine legislature are tomorrow and there is still time to write your testimony in support of this bill that would amend the Maine Implementing Act to restore the inherent right of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to self-govern within their respective territories in accordance with the same federal laws that generally govern tribal lands elsewhere in the United States. If you live in Maine, take an extra minute tonight and write your legislator.

Brava to Karin and Elizabeth (it must have felt really great to be back on stage with a LIVE AUDIENCE!