Day Two: Ann Marie

We showed up at City Arts Gallery knowing nothing of what was about to happen, except that there would be poetry and music at this event called “Poets for Dinner.”  What we found was a community of artists and artist-appreciators who come together every third Sunday to share their thoughts and laughs.  Throughout the night we were wowed by performances that dealt with heartbreak, punctuality, unwanted advice, and sexuality.  Mr. Gun even made an appearance in a poem where he talked about how he could “impregnate the dirt with bodies.”  The featured act was an incredibly talented saxophonist and poet who combined his arts to create a beautiful auditory experience. 

All these performances invited audience participation, blurring the lines between performer and observer and drawing us in even further.  The acts were punctuated by energetic hostesses who balanced the seriousness of some poems with playful banter and hugs.  Our group couldn't help but be drawn in by the raw honesty of the people who openly shared their stories and embraced vulnerability.  At the end, everyone in the gallery held hands in a circle to again mix the serious and humorous by doing the wave and then reflecting on all that is good in our lives.  As we left, we realized we had just experienced a community gathering that will never be exactly the same again.  Moving into this week we will carry the idea that everyone has hidden talents, and that Baltimore cannot be defined by a “single story.”